IRVING, Texas (Dec. 9, 2014) – Conference USA announced its 2014 all-conference honors on Tuesday and seven Panthers earned a combined nine awards for their performances this past season. Sophomore Jonnu Smith and redshirt junior Richard Leonard earned first-team, all-conference honors, while junior Michael Wakefield earned second-team recognition and senior Donald Senat, juniors Denzell Perine and Davison Colimon, and freshman Anthony Wint received C-USA honorable mention.  
 
Smith and Leonard become FIU's first-ever first-team honorees. Leonard picked up two first-team nods, being named as a cornerback and punt returner. The Miami native also received honorable mention as a kick returner.
 
Smith, a first-team selection at tight end, appeared and started in all 12 games for the Panthers. The Ocala, Fla., native led the Panthers with 710 yards on 61 catches and eight touchdowns. He leads all tight ends nationally in touchdowns, receiving yards and receptions. This past season, Smith set the school record for tight ends in receiving yards, touchdowns and receptions. His eight receiving touchdowns broke the previous season best of seven set by T.Y. Hilton (2008, 2011) and Cory McKinney (2002). His 710 yards ranks 7^th all-time at FIU for a season and his 61 catches are tied for fourth. At UAB (Sept. 27), Smith registered the sixth-longest reception in school history (75 yards). He is a Mid-season All-American (CBSSports.com), a Mackey Tight End of the Week (Week 2) and was named to the John Mackey Watch List.
 
This marks the second all-conference honor for Smith.
 
Leonard, a first-team selection at cornerback and punt returner as well as a kick returner honorable mention, appeared and started all 12 games for the Panthers. Leonard was a two-time C-USA Defensive Player of the Week and two-time C-USA Special Teams Player of the Week, becoming the first player in C-USA history to accomplish this feat. On the year, he recorded a school-record five interceptions (No. 2 in C-USA; No. 18 nationally), including two for touchdowns. Leonard also leads the nation in fumble recoveries (4), including a 100-yard fumble recovery versus Florida Atlantic (Oct. 2) – the first NCAA player to do so since 1999. Leonard recorded 616 kick return yards on just 24 attempts and 309 punt return yards on just 13 returns. He averaged 25.7 yards-per-kick return and 23.8 yards-per-punt return, while setting the school record for most punt return yards in a season (309). Leonard broke the FIU single-game punt return record (148 vs. Bethune-Cookman) – also the 3^rd-most in C-USA history. A mid-Season All-American (Phil Steele), Leonard was recognized by the College Football Performance Awards three times in 2014.
 
With the three awards, Leonard has now recorded four all-conference honors during his collegiate career.
 
Wakefield, a second-team selection on the defensive line, appeared and started in all 12 games for the Panthers. The Valdosta, Ga., native recorded 38 tackles (26 solo) and led the team in tackles for loss (14.5) and sacks (8.0). Wakefield ranks No. 3 in C-USA in sacks and No. 3 in tackles for loss and is No. 34 in the nation in sacks-per-game (0.67). His 14.5 tackles for loss ranks No. 6 all-time at FIU in a season and his 8.0 sacks ranks No. 2. He forced three fumbles and recovered four on the year. The three fumble recoveries rank tied for No. 8 in the nation and No. 2 in C-USA. He registered three pass breakups and blocked an extra point at UTSA. Wakefield, who was a game captain in all 12 games this season, was a two-time Defensive Lineman Performer of the Week (CFPA).
 
This marks the first all-conference award for Wakefield.
 
Senat, an honorable mention on the offensive line, appeared and started in all 12 games for the Panthers at center. He led an offensive line in gaining 2012 gross rushing yards on the year and helped FIU record 1,502 net rushing yards (4th-most in school history). Senat guided FIU's offense to 125.5 net rushing yards-per-game (fifth-best average all-time at FIU). The Panthers' offense finished with 11 rushing touchdowns (10^th-most in school history). Senat was a three-time game captain and was named to the 2014 Rimington Trophy Fall Watch List.
 
This marks Senat's first-ever all-conference award.
 
Perine, an honorable mention on the defensive line, appeared in all 12 games, starting five for FIU. The native of Mobile, Ala., recorded 40 tackles and had 9.5 tackles for loss (No. 2 on the team and No. 19 in C-USA). Perine also had 6.5 sacks (No. 2 on the team and No.6 in C-USA). He finished the year with one pass breakup and two quarterback hurries while forcing two fumbles. Perine also recovered two fumbles to help FIU to 19 total fumble recoveries (No. 1 in the nation). His 3.5 tackles for loss vs. Bethune-Cookman were the 7^th-most by a Panther in school history.
 
This is Perine's first-ever all-conference honor.
 
Colimon, an honorable mention at linebacker, appeared in 12 games, starting nine for FIU, recording 46 tackles (No. 4 on the team). The West Palm Beach, Fla., native recovered three fumbles (tied for No. 8 in the nation; tied for No. 2 in the C-USA). Colimon recorded his first-career interception (79-yard interception for a TD) vs. Middle Tennessee (Nov. 15). The pick six was the second-longest interception for a touchdown in school history. For his performance versus the Blue Raiders, Colimon was named C-USA Defensive Player of the Week (Week 12) and College Football Performance Awards recognized him as Linebacker of the Week for the MTSU game. On the year, he had 8.0 tackles for loss (No. 3 on the team), including 4.0 sacks (No. 4 on the team).
 
The all-conference award is the first of Colimon's career.
 
Wint appeared and started in nine games for FIU. The Homestead, Fla., native finished third on the team in tackles with 48 (28 solo) despite missing three games due to injury. He led all freshman in C-USA in tackles, recording five-or-more tackles six times. Wint notched a career-high eight tackles versus Florida Atlantic (Oct. 2) and had a pair of seven-tackle performances (Aug. 30 versus Bethune-Cookman; Sept. 27 at UAB). He also had one forced fumble (on the goal line versus Middle Tennessee – Nov. 15) and one fumble recovery (Sept. 20 versus Louisville).
 
The all-conference nod is the second for Wint, who was also named to the C-USA All-Freshman Team.
 
Below are this year's C-USA All-Conference teams.
 
 
2014 C-USA FOOTBALL ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS
 
 
FIRST TEAM
 
OFFENSE
QB – Rakeem Cato, Marshall, Sr.
RB – Devon Johnson, Marshall, Sr.
RB – Jordan Howard, UAB, So.
OL – Chris Jasperse, Marshall, Sr.
OL – Mitchell Bell, Louisiana Tech, Sr.
OL – Clint Van Horn, Marshall, Jr.
OL – Josh Mann, Old Dominion, Sr.
OL – Cyril Lemon, North Texas, Sr.
TE – Jonnu Smith, FIU, So.
WR – Tommy Shuler, Marshall, Sr.
WR – Antonio Vaughan, Old Dominion, Sr.
WR – Lucky Whitehead, Florida Atlantic, Sr.
 
DEFENSE
DL – Brian Nordstrom, Rice, Jr.
DL – Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Southern Miss, Sr.
DL – Diaheem Watkins, UAB, Sr.
DL – James Rouse, Marshall, Sr.
LB – Neville Hewitt, Marshall, Sr.
LB – Derek Akunne, North Texas, Sr.
LB – Andrae Kirk, Florida Atlantic, Sr.
DB – Richard Leonard, FIU, R-Jr.
DB – Kevin Byard, Middle Tennessee, Jr.
DB – Xavier Woods, Louisiana Tech, So.
DB – Darryl Roberts, Marshall, Sr.
 
SPECIAL TEAMS
K – Corey Acosta, Southern Miss, Sr.
P – Tyler Williams, Marshall, Jr.
KR – J.J. Nelson, UAB, Sr.
PR – Richard Leonard, FIU, R-Jr.
LS – Matt Cincotta, Marshall, Jr.
 
 
SECOND TEAM
 
OFFENSE
QB – Brandon Doughty, WKU, Sr.
RB – Kenneth Dixon, Louisiana Tech, Jr.
RB – Aaron Jones, UTEP, So.
RB – Leon Allen, WKU, Jr.
OL – Brian O'Leary, UAB, Sr.
OL – Jerell Watkins, UTEP, Sr.
OL – Isaiah Anderson, Middle Tennessee, Sr.
OL – Cameron Clemmons, WKU, Sr.
OL – Darius Johnson, Middle Tennessee, Jr.
OL – Nico Carlson, Rice, Sr.
TE – Kennard Backman, UAB, Sr.
WR – Jared Dangerfield, WKU, Jr.
WR – Trent Taylor, Louisiana Tech, So.
WR – Jordan Taylor, Rice, Sr.
 
DEFENSE
DL – Arnold Blackmon, Marshall, Sr.
DL – Michael Wakefield, FIU, Jr.
DL – Houston Bates, Louisiana Tech, Sr.
DL – Robert Singletary, UTSA, Sr.
LB – Jake Ganus, UAB, Jr.
LB – T.T. Barber, Middle Tennessee, Jr.
LB – Jermaine Holmes, Marshall, Sr.
DB – Triston Wade, UTSA, Sr.
DB – D'Joun Smith, Florida Atlantic, Sr.
DB – James Jones, North Texas, Sr.
DB – Bryce Callahan, Rice, Sr.
DB – Wonderful Terry, WKU, Jr.
 
SPECIAL TEAMS
K – Sean Ianno, UTSA, Sr.
P – Dalton Schomp, Florida Atlantic, So.
KR – Autrey Golden, UTEP, Jr.
PR – J.J. Nelson, UAB, Sr.
LS – Jesse Medrano, UTSA, Sr.
 
 
 
HONORABLE MENTION
 
OFFENSE
QB – Taylor Heinicke, Old Dominion, Sr.
RB – Reggie Whatley, Middle Tennessee, Sr.
RB – Shane Tucker, Middle Tennessee, So.
RB – Jowan Davis, Rice, So.
OL – Scott Inskeep, UTSA, Sr.
OL – Ian Gray, Rice, Sr.
OL – Forrest Lamp, WKU, So.
OL – Tre Carter, Louisiana Tech, Sr.
OL – Antonio Johnson, North Texas, Sr.
OL – Andrew Reue, Rice, Jr.
OL – Matt Simonette, Rice, Sr.
OL – Cameron Tom, Southern Miss, So.
OL – Donald Senat, FIU, Sr.
OL – Eric Lee, UTEP, Jr.
OL – Kirby Wixson, Louisiana Tech, Jr.
OL – Tyler Fisher, Old Dominion, So.
TE – Eric Frohnapfel, Marshall, Sr.
TE – Mitchell Henry, WKU, Sr.
TE – Alex DeLeon, Florida Atlantic, Sr.
TE – David Morgan II, UTSA, Jr.
TE – Eric Tomlinson, UTEP, Sr.
WR – Carlos Harris, North Texas, Sr.
WR – J.J. Nelson, UAB, Sr.
WR – Zach Pascal, Old Dominion, So.
WR – Taywan Taylor, WKU, So.
WR – Casey Martin, Southern Miss, Fr.
WR – Hunter Lee, Louisiana Tech, Sr.
WR – Mario Hull, Rice, Sr.
WR – Michael Thomas, Southern Miss, Fr.
WR – Kam Jones, UTSA, Sr.
 
DEFENSE
DL – Zach Patt, Rice, Sr.
DL – Shubert Bastien, Middle Tennessee, Sr.
DL – Vernon Butler, Louisiana Tech, Jr.
DL – Ra'Shawde Myers, Marshall, Sr.
DL – Ashaad Mabry, UTSA, Sr.
DL – Denzell Perine, FIU, Jr.
DL – Dasman McCullum, Southern Miss, Sr.
DL – Chris Walton, UAB, Sr.
DL – Trevon Coley, Florida Atlantic, Jr.
DL – Pat McNeil, Middle Tennessee, Jr.
DL – Chad Polk, North Texas, Jr.
DL – Vontarrius Dora, Louisiana Tech, Jr.
DL – Roy Robertson-Harris, UTEP, Jr.
DL – Cody Rogers, UTSA, Sr.
LB – Jens Jeters, UTSA, Sr.
LB – Nick Holt, WKU, Jr.
LB – Tony Johnson, Louisiana Tech, Sr.
LB – Terrell Pinson, Louisiana Tech, Sr.
LB – D.J. Simon, Old Dominion, Sr.
LB – Alex Lyons, Rice, So.
LB – D.J. Hunter, Marshall, Jr.
LB – Anthony Wint, FIU, Fr.
LB – James Radcliffe, Rice, Sr.
LB – Anthony Puente, UTEP, Sr.
LB – Davison Colimon, FIU, Jr.
LB – Harris Gaston, UAB, Sr.
DB – Kentrell Brice, Louisiana Tech, Jr.
DB – Adairius Barnes, Louisiana Tech, Jr.
DB – Wes Miller, UTEP, Sr.
DB – Le'Vander Liggins, Louisiana Tech, Sr.
DB – Emmanuel Johnson, Southern Miss, Sr.
DB – Corey Tindal, Marshall, So.
DB – Jimmy Jean, UAB, Sr.
DB – Devin Cockrell, UTEP, So.
DB – Cre'von LeBlanc, Florida Atlantic, Jr.
DB – Julius White, Rice, Sr.
DB – Jacorius Cotton, Southern Miss, Sr.,
DB – Rolan Milligan, UAB, Jr.
DB – Cam Thomas, WKU, Sr.
 
SPECIAL TEAMS
K – Trevor Moore, North Texas, Fr.
K – Kyle Fischer, Louisiana Tech, So.
K – Garrett Schwettman, WKU, Jr.
K – Ty Long, UAB, Sr.
P – Hunter Mullins, UAB, Sr.
P – Kristian Stern, UTSA, Sr.
P – Eric Keena, North Texas, So.
KR – Richard Leonard, FIU, R-Jr.
KR – Carlos Henderson, Louisiana Tech, Fr.
KR – Reggie Whatley, Middle Tennessee, Sr.
KR – D'Joun Smith, Florida Atlantic
PR – Tommy Shuler, Marshall, Sr.
PR – Antonio Vaughan, Old Dominion, Sr.
LS – Rick Lovato, Old Dominion, Sr.
LS – Dallas Noriega, UAB, Sr.
LS – Nolan Dowling, WKU, So.
 
 
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About FIU Athletics: FIU Athletics is home to more than 400 student-athletes in 18 different sports. Athletic events are played in seven different venues on FIU's campuses (Modesto A. Maidique and Biscayne Bay), including FIU Arena and Ocean Bank Field at FIU Stadium.
 
About FIU: Florida International University is recognized as a Carnegie engaged university. It is a public research university with colleges and schools that offer more than 180 bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations, architecture, law and medicine. As one of South Florida's anchor institutions, FIU contributes $8.9 billion each year to the local economy. FIU is Worlds Ahead in finding solutions to the most challenging problems of our time. FIU emphasizes research as a major component of its mission. FIU has awarded over 200,000 degrees and enrolls more than 54,000 students in two campuses and three centers including FIU Downtown on Brickell, FIU@I-75, and the Miami Beach Urban Studios. FIU also supports artistic and cultural engagement through its three museums: the Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum, the Wolfsonian-FIU, and the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. FIU is a member of Conference USA and has over 400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. For more information about FIU, visit http://www.fiu.edu/.