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Feb. 27, 2008

CANYON, Texas - Five members of the West Texas A&M football team garnered All-American status this month as Don Hansen's Football Gazette announced its 2007 All-America team. Representing the Buffs on the first team was junior defensive end Brandon Swain, while junior linebacker Jared Brock was selected to the third team and a trio of WT players - redshirt freshman Keithon Flemming, senior tight end Kolo Kapanui and junior corner back Cashmin Thomas - earn honorable mention accolades.

Swain was a pleasant surprise during his first season in Canyon, leading the conference in sacks (14), tackles for loss (24.5), quarterback hurries (12), forced fumbles (5) and fumbles recovered (3). The Tulsa, Okla., native was selected as the Lone Star Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year and a regional finalist for the Gene Upshaw award, which is given annually to Division II's top lineman. He posted multiple sacks in three games on the year and posted a career-high 10 tackles in the Buffs' season opening win over No. 9 South Dakota. Swain scored his first career touchdown in WT's playoff contest at Northwest Missouri State as he intercepted a batted ball and returned the pick 18 yards for a Buff score. For Swain, the honor from D2Football.com represents his third first team All-American selection this post season after receiving the honor from both Daktronics and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).

For Brock, this award marks the second straight All-American honor he has garnered; he received the honor from numerous organizations last year, including a first team nod from Daktronics. The Abernathy, Texas, native collected his second straight 100+ tackle season by leading the Buffs with 100 stops, a figure that includes 47 solo tackles. Brock also racked up 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, eight pass break-ups and 10 quarterback hurries during the 2007 campaign. Last Month, Daktronics also selected Brock as a second team All-America performer for his standout junior season.

Kapanui, who was the leading vote getter among tight ends on the ballot, capped off his two-year career in Canyon this fall by emerging into a dominant offensive force for the Buffs. The native of Hawaii caught 39 passes in 2007 to rack up 481 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Additionally, Kapanui was a vital part of the Buffs' swinging gate extra point conversion attempts as he scored on five of seven two-point conversion rushing tries. Already this offseason, Kapanui has garnered first team All-America accolades from Daktronics.

Redshirt freshman Keithon Flemming became the first Buffalo running back to eclipse the 1,000 yard season rushing mark since DeWayne Miles in 2000 and etched his named in both the WT and NCAA record book as he raced 99 yards for a score during the Buffs win over Angelo State on Oct. 27. The Mesquite, Texas, native finished the season with 1,198 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground, while also hauling in a team-high 73 receptions for 647 yards and five touchdowns in the passing game.

Thomas proved to be a lockdown corner in his first season in Canyon, piling up a team-best 12 pass break-ups and five interceptions on the season. Additionally, the Fresno, Calif., native collected 50 tackles on the season and a pair of blocked kicks.

The selection of the group brings the list of WT football players to receive All-American recognition this offseason to six, with junior receiver Charly Martin being the only Buff to receive the honor from a different news outlet but not the Don Hansen's Football Gazette.