Nine #GSCFB Representatives Named to D2Football.com Elite 100
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Gulf South Conference was well-represented on the D2Football.com Elite 100 list, as the conference had nine representatives from four institutions recognized.
OFFICIAL RELEASE
Headlining the list of names was Delta State linebacker Marvin Terry and West Florida defensive back D’Anthony Bell, as each were recognized as First Team Elite 100 selections. Meanwhile, earning second team honors was West Florida quarterback Austin Reed, West Alabama defensive lineman Chris Terrell, and Valdosta State linebacker Nick Moss.
Also recognized was Valdosta State quarterback Ivory Durham and wide receiver Lio’Undre Gallimore, UWF offensive lineman Mike Dilla, and UWA wide receiver Tyriq Martin.
Terry had a banner year for the Statesmen, leading the GSC with 18.5 tackles for loss (16th in NCAA), 10 sacks (8th NCAA), 1.0 sacks per game, and 16 solo tackles for loss while ranking second in the league with 47 solo tackles. Terry rounded out his defensive prowess with 62 total tackles en route to being named GSC Defensive Player of the Year before garnering numerous other postseason accolades.
Bell finished 2021 with 61 tackles, including a team-high 43 unassisted from his safety spot, along with five pass break-ups, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a quarterback hurry. Bell garnered First Team All-GSC honors before being recognized with several other postseason accolades.
Reed was one of the quarterbacks in the country, ranking among the top eight nationally in nine of 11 quarterback categories. He ended the season with 306.8 passing yards per game, 3,375 yards, 38 touchdowns and a 157.6 passer efficiency rating. The gunslinger was named the conference’s Offensive Player of the Year before hauling in a bevy of additionally postseason honors.
Moss finished the year as the league leader in total tackles (121) and tackles per game (9.3), while also being listed 40th-nationally among Division II leaders in total tackles. The First Team All-GSC pick was primary contributor in helping the Blazers appear in the Division II National Championship game.
Terrell was a vital member of the Tiger defense as he recorded 41 solo tackles and eight tackle assists. He also had 14.0 tackles for a loss of 50 yards, 7.0 sacks for a loss of 34 yards, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, nine quarterback hurries, one pass break up, and one blocked kick. Terrell was named First Team All-GSC prior to receiving various All-American honors.
A Second Team All-GSC pick, Durham helped the Blazers advance to the national championship game as he led one of the nation’s most potent offenses, finished fifth-overall with 41.4 points per game. The dual threat quarterback capped of the 2021 season listed second among conference leaders in passing yards (3,425), pass completion (.601), passing touchdowns (32) and passing efficiency (159.7), while on the ground rushed for 967 yards, averaging 8.4 yards a carry and punched in 13 touchdowns.
Gallimore was was also a key contributor to the Blazer offense, finishing the year ranked as one of the nation’s top receivers with 15 touchdowns (7th in NCAA) and 1,123 receiving yards (12th in NCAA). The Second Team All-GSC wideout was among the league’s top pass catchers as he finished second-overall in receiving yards, third in receptions (58), and fourth in average yards per catch (19.4).
Dilla was a significant contributor to the UWF offense which ranked tenth in passing yards per game (313.3) 53rd in rushing yards per game (162.4) and seventh in total offense yards per game (475.6) – all of which were single-season program records. A First Team All-GSC honoree, Dilla has also earned a host national postseason accolades.
Martin finished the 2021 campaign as one of the league’s top receivers, ranking among the Top 10 in average yards for game (1st/89.0), receptions (4th/57), receiving yards (4th/890) and touchdowns (5th/eight). As result, Martin was a First Team All-GSC selection.
The 2021 D2Football.com Elite 100 selections were made by the D2Football.com staff with input from coaches and media from around the country.