2014 D2Football.com All-America Team

By Jim O'Hara
 
ROME, Ga. – Although the Shorter Hawks have already turned their attention to the new season, one of their own is still reaping honors because of the record-setting year he had last fall.

For the fourth time, Jordan Shaw has achieved All-American status when the safety was named to the D2Football.com All-America Team earning second team honors.

The recognition adds to an already long list of awards for Shaw, who as a junior in 2014 established himself as one of the nation's top defensive backs.

Named as the 2014 Gulf South Conference Defensive Player of the Year and the lone unanimous All-GSC First Team pick on defense, Shaw was named to the prestigious American Football Coaches Association's Division II All-America team, was selected as an Associated Press Little All-American and was tabbed as a Beyond Sports Network Division II All-American.

Picked as the 2014 National Christian College Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year, Shaw was also a finalist for the Cliff Harris Award presented by the Little Rock (Ark.) Touchdown Club to the nation's top small college defensive player.

In just his second season playing defense for the Hawks – the 6-foot-2, 215-pounder from Jasper came to Shorter as a quarterback – Shaw closed out 2014  establishing himself as one of the best defensive backs in the nation as he led the GSC with eight interceptions for 118 yards, including a 100-yard return for a touchdown he turned in against non-conference for Mars Hill, a game in which he picked off a record three passes. 

Shaw became the 15th player in GSC history with at least eight interceptions in a season and just the seventh player to take back a miscue for 100 yards.  He also ranked third in the GSC in total tackles (81) and fourth in tackles per game (7.8) and led the Hawks in tackles for the second straight year.

Shaw was lone GSC player to earn first of second team D2Football.com All-America status, although five other conference standouts received honorable mention recognition – Delta State quarterback Tyler Sullivan, Florida Tech receiver Xavier Milton, West Georgia defensive lineman Darrius Caldwell and linebacker Tyrell Adams, and Valdosta State punter Jake Medlock.

Azusa Pacific running back Terrell Water was named the D2Football.com Offensive Player of the Year, while national champion Colorado State-Pueblo saw defensive end Darius Allen and head coach John Wristen earned respective Defensive Player of the Year and Coach of the Year honors.

The D2Football.com All-America Team, which began in 2000, was selected by the staff of D2Football.com with input from coaches, scouts, media members, and sports information directors from around the country. D2Football.com has named an All-America Team since its inception in 2000.