Football: Dillon named to Freshman All-America Team

Tim Buckley, The Advertiser, Dec. 11, 2016

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UL defensive end Joe Dillon was one of 25 players named Sunday to the USA Today Freshman All-America Team.

Dillon was one of four defensive lineman named to the team, which also includes Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts, running backs Mike Weber of Ohio State and Justice Hill of Oklahoma State, Louisiana Tech offensive lineman Ethan Reed and Appalachian State cornerback Clifton Duck.

Dillon, a product of Tylertown High in Tylertown, Mississippi, and Duck were the only Sun Belt Conference players honored.

A redshirt freshman, Dillon led all of UL’s defensive linemen in total tackles with 49 in 12 games for a 6-6 Ragin’ Cajun club that will play Southern Mississippi in Saturday night’s New Orleans Bowl.

He also led the Cajuns in sacks with 6.0 and tackles for loss with 11.5, including 2.5 in a September quadruple-overtime loss at Tulane.

Dillon had a season-high 10 tackles at New Mexico State in October, and four TFLs including a sack later that month in a win at Texas State.

He is UL’s first Freshman All-American since running back Elijah McGuire was named to the FWAA (Football Writers Association of America) Team in 2013.