BRYANT NAMED CDS PRESEASON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR,

ALL-AMERICAN

June 1: St. Lawrence University defensive standout Gerard Bryant ’10 has been named the Consensus Draft Services (CDS) Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.  The White Plains, NY native also garnered preseason First Team All-American honors from CDS as well.

“Gerard (Bryant) is one of the most talented players I’ve had the privilege to coach, but he’s also one of the most driven,” said St. Lawrence head football coach Chris Phelps.  “He plays hard every second of each game and finds ways to make plays despite facing blocking schemes that are built to stop him.  We’re very proud of his accomplishments and are looking forward to another big year from him in 2009.”

A captain for the upcoming 2009 season, Bryant named a First Team All-American by D3Football.com and was one of six unanimous selections to the Liberty League’s First Team Defense.  He posted outstanding numbers in 2008 including 97 tackles, five sacks, a pair of forced fumbles and two blocked kicks.  It is the second consecutive year that he has earned ECAC Northwest All-Star honors.  Bryant finished the season as the conference leader in tackles for a loss (20.0) and as one of the premier defensive players in the region.

Union’s senior offensive guard Colin Berry was the only other player from the Liberty League to earn CDS Preseason All-American status.

 

 

 

FOUR CHOSEN TO CAPTAIN

SAINTS FOOTBALL IN 2009

May 8: St. Lawrence University head football coach Chris Phelps has announced four captains that will lead the Saints in the fall of 2009.  Seniors Gerard Bryant, Connor Hackett, McLean Beyor and Mike Battaglia will serves as the team leaders throughout their senior season.

"I am very pleased with this year’s selection of captains,” said Coach Phelps.  “As a whole, we have a senior class that if filled with great leaders.  To be chosen by your peers within this type of senior class is a great honor."

The St. Lawrence football team is slated to have 34 seniors on the roster come August.  The players selected a defensive lineman in Bryant, an offensive weapon in Hackett, a staple along the offensive line in Beyor and a vocal defensive leader in Battaglia.

"These four young men have proven over their careers that they have the qualities that are found in great players and successful leaders,” continued Coach Phelps.  “They have developed a solid work ethic, a passion for the game of football and a desire to be the best that they can be.  They are enthusiastic and excited for the challenges and responsibility that come with honor.  I am confident that these qualities will allow them to lead through their words and their actions."

Bryant was named a First Team All-American by D3Football.com and was one of six unanimous selections to the Liberty League’s First Team Defense.  Despite facing double and triple teams throughout the 2008 season, he posted outstanding numbers for St. Lawrence including 97 tackles, five sacks, a pair of forced fumbles and two blocked kicks.  It is the second consecutive year that he has earned ECAC Northwest All-Star honors.  Bryant finished the season as the conference leader in tackles for a loss (20.0) and as one of the premier defensive players in the region.

Hackett, a Liberty League Honorable Mention candidate in 2007, battled injuries during his junior campaign.  The Bronxville, NY native played in six games, carrying the ball 107 times for 356 yards and three touchdowns.  He also had two catches for touchdowns in his third year.

Beyor became a leader along the offensive line for St. Lawrence in 2008.  He helped anchor a line that allowed 22 sacks, averaged 128.8 yards per game in rushing and went for 198.2 yards passing each contest.  Beyor’s play up front at the offensive guard position will be crucial for the team’s offense come the fall.

Finally, Battaglia is a workhorse for Coach Phelps and has been willing to help the team in a variety of ways.  The Hingham, MA native played in all 10 games in his junior season, making seven tackles and blocking a kick.  Battaglia, who also recovered a fumble and had a QB hurry in 2008, serves as a key special teams contributor as well.