National media outlets Pro Football Focus (PFF) and Phil Steele publications recently recognized Charlotte 49ers players.
The PFF website named four 49ers first-team all-Conference USA: offensive lineman Cam Clark, kicker Jonathan Cruz, safety Ben DeLuca and defensive end Alex Highsmith. Phil Steele has eight 49ers on its 2018 all-Conference USA teams: Running back Benny LeMay and offensive lineman Nate Davis were named to its all-C-USA first team. Cruz, Highsmith and linebacker Juwan Foggie were named second team; while DeLuca, linebacker Jeff Gemmell and defensive end Tyriq Harris earned third-team honors.
Pro Football Focus’ selections were based mainly on the website’s play-by-play grading process as well as cumulative grades, game grades against quality opponents and other advanced statistics.
In addition, College Football Focus at MikeWachsman51.blogspot.com named three 49ers honorable mention all-America (Foggie, Highsmith and LeMay) and a fourth was tabbed honorable mention freshman all-America, red-shirt freshman receiver Victor Tucker.