A consistent success in the University of Massachusetts football team’s inconsistent season, Tyler Holmes received a pair of significant honors on Monday.
Holmes was named the Colonial Athletic Association’s co-Defensive Player of the Year along with Richmond linebacker Eric McBride.
Holmes was also selected as one of 20 finalists for the Buck Buchanan Award, annually given to the top defensive player in the Championship Subdivision.
The winner will be announced Jan. 6 before the FCS Championship game in Frisco, Texas.
Holmes, a junior from Blacksburg, Va. led the conference in interceptions with five. He was fourth in sacks with five and tackles for loss with 12. He was tied for fourth in tackles with teammate Mike Mele with 110.
From the CAA release:
Holmes and McBride are two of the league’s four Buck Buchanan Defensive
Player of the Year finalists. Holmes, a Blacksburg, Va., native
finished his junior campaign with 110 tackles and five sacks in 11
contests. He also tied for the league lead in interceptions after
hauling in five over 11 games, including two returned for touchdowns in
the same contest. McBride, who ended his Richmond career with
54-straight starts at linebacker, ranks second in the league with 118
tackles in 11 games. The three-time First Team All-CAA Football honoree
also leads the league in recovered fumbles with three.
Holmes was one of six Minutemen named to a CAA All-Conference team.
Holmes, senior offensive lineman Greg Niland and wide receiver Anthony Nelson were named to the first team. Nelson, a senior transfer from Hofstra, led the CAA in receiving yards per game with 75.5. He caught 61 passes for 830 yards and four touchdowns. He was second in the CAA in total catches with 61.
Junior tailback Jonathan Hernandez, who was second in the league in rushing yards (938) and rushing touchdowns (nine) was not one of two running backs on the first team. He and junior receiver Julian Talley (56 catches, 747 yards, six TDs) were on the second team.
Senior tailback John Griffin (168 carries for 843 yards, five TDs) was named to the third team.
