BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Gulf South Conference announced its all-conference and annual individual awards following the 2023 football season, as voted by league's head coaches.
Delta State, the conference's co-champion, claimed two of the five annual awards as quarterback Patrick Shegog was named GSC Offensive Player of the Year, while Todd Cooley received Coach of the Year honors. West Florida also garnered two awards as defensive linesman John McMullen was named GSC Defensive Player of the Year, while linebacker Ralph Ortiz was named Defensive Freshman of the Year. West Georgia quarterback Cameran Brown received Offensive Freshman of the Year accolades.
In All-GSC voting, Delta State had a league-best 14 honorees including eight First Team selections. West Florida had 12 overall nods, followed by North Greenville, Valdosta State, West Alabama, Mississippi College, Shorter and Chowan. All nine football members were represented with at least one honoree, with a total of 66 student-athletes recognized.
ALL-GSC TEAMS (PDF)
Shegog became the 10th player in conference-history since 1971 to be earn the league's top offensive honors in back-to-back seasons. He is also the first Statesmen to accomplish consecutive awards since GSC Hall of Famer Scott Eyster. The graduate signal caller finished the season as the league-leader in passing efficiency (162.6) and interceptions thrown (2). A dual-threat, Shegog accounted for 2,740 total yards of offense, third among GSC leaders, as he threw for 2,194 yards and added 546 yards on the ground. Shegog was also GSC leaders in rushing touchdowns (1st/11), passing touchdowns (T2nd/25), passing completion (3rd/.615), passing yards (4th), and rushing yards (9th).
McMullen collected the conference's top defensive laurels, after finishing the season with a league-high 12.5 sacks, including 11 solos, for 80 yards. As a result, the graduate defensive lineman became the first West Florida recipient of the award. He also recored 44 tackles with 32 solo stops, 21 tackles for loss accounting for 108 yards, and three forced fumbles. As of the end of the regular season, McMullen's season sack total placed him fifth all-time among GSC leaders.
Brown was named the GSC's top offensive freshman accolades after picking up three weekly freshman awards during the season. The redshirt-rookie appeared in nine games for West Georgia as he completed 82-of-151 passes for 914 passing yards and 10 touchdowns. The dual-threat quarterback though also contributed on the ground rushing for 478 yards, averaging 6.3 per carry, while scoring six touchdowns. As a result, Brown was among conference leaders in a number of categories including rushing yards per carry (4th/6.3), passing completion (6th/.543), total yards of offense (7th/1,392), and total passing yards (8th). He is the second UWG recipient of the award and the first 2010 (Brandon White).
Ortiz earned top freshman defensive honors after a solid debut season campaign for the Argonauts. A three-time GSC Freshman of the Week honoree, Ortiz finished the season with 35 tackles, good for fifth among UWF leaders. He also recorded 11 solo stops, six tackles for loss and one sack. Among GSC leaders, the redshirt-rookie linebacker was tied-fourth with three interceptions and was one of just five players with a pick-six. Ortiz is the first West Florida recipient of the award since Trent Archie (2016).
For the fourth time in his career, Cooley received the conference's top coaching honors, moving him into a tie all-time with Jim Fuller and GSC Hall of Famer Bobby Wallace. The Statesmen's head coach led the team to a share of their second consecutive GSC title as they finished 7-1, with a 9-1 record overall, en route to reaching the NCAA postseason as the No. 2-seed in Super Region 2. Under his guidance, Delta State also led the conference in points per game (43.5) and total offensive yards per game (464.2).
For the full list of 2023 GSC All-GSC Teams and yearly awards, click here.
Delta State, Valdosta State and West Florida will represent the GSC in the 2023 NCAA Division II Football Championship and Super Region 2 action beginning Saturday. It is the ninth-consecutive season the conference has had two or more in the NCAA postseason and the 15th-time since 2000 at least three teams participated.