The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced its 2005 All-Conference Team, and three Southern Jaguars were honored with first team All-SWAC selections, and one with second team honors.
The team was selected by nominations and votes from the member schools’ coaches and sports information contacts.
Offensive lineman, Lunda Wells, earned first team honors, garnering All-SWAC honors for the first time in his career.
Wells, a co-captain, was a key component in helping the Jaguars average 288 yards per game passing, 2nd in the SWAC. The senior from Baker, is currently in graduate school at Southern, pursuing a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice.
Joe Sykes, earns first team defensive line honors for his play for Southern this season. Sykes, a transfer from West Virginia, came in a contributed immediately, leading the SWAC with nine sacks, while finishing third on the team in tackles with 53, and a team leading 16 tackles for loss yards. Sykes is a Therapeutic Recreation major, from Grenada, Miss.
Co-captain, James Vernon, earns 2005 first team All-SWAC honors as the punt returner.
Vernon led the SWAC and was 2nd in Division I-AA, averaging 18.7 yards per return. Vernon went 85 yards for a punt return touchdown in the Bayou Classic.
This marks the second consecutive season that Vernon has earned All-SWAC honors. In 2004, James Vernon earned 1st team honors as a wide receiver.