CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Bryce Witt and Isaac Anderson headline the 2021 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Football All-Conference awards for Chowan released by the CIAA on Wednesday afternoon. All-Conference were selected by league head coaches and athletic communicators.
For the first time since 2013, and third time in program history, Bryce Witt was selected as CIAA Offensive Player of the Year joining CJ Wester (2009) and Robert Holland (2013). Isaac Anderson collected the program's first-ever CIAA Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
The Hawks collected five First Team selections, the most in program history, with Bryce Witt (QB), Imeek Watkins (WR/KR), David Keck (OL), and Rafiq Abdul-Wahid (DL) earning the First Team nod. Chowan also had four players named to the Second Team: Laurence King (WR), Isaac Anderson (DL), Gilberto Ortiz (DL), and Jude McAtamney (PK). Anderson and J'Vin Farmer were named to the Defensive All-Rookie team.
Bryce Witt, earned All-CIAA First Team honors after picking up Second Team honors in 2018 and 2019. Witt continued to adjust record books in program history after throwing for a single-season record 31 touchdowns and a single-season record 2,864 passing yards while completing 66.3% of his throws, also a single-season record. All three marks led the CIAA to go with 11 rushing touchdowns.
Isaac Anderson, CIAA Defensive Rookie of the Year, CIAA Second Team, and Defensive All-Rookie selection recorded 37 tackles, 20.0 TFLs, 9.0 sacks, two interceptions, three forced fumbles, and a blocked kick to finish off his rookie season for the Hawks.
Witt's favorite target this season, Imeek Watkins led the CIAA in receptions with 68, 10 receiving touchdowns, and 886 receiving yards. Watkins also added 14 kick-off returns for 455 yards and tied the NCAA record with a 100-yard return for touchdown. Watkins collected a punt return for a touchdown this season.
David Keck earned CIAA First Team Offensive Lineman honors after helping the Hawks lead the CIAA in points per game (38.5), and total offense (432.2). Keck joins former offensive lineman: Donald Boone, Michael Lugo, Jobari Coleman-Wilson, Melvin Rogers as First Team selections for the Hawks.
For the first time since 2012, a defensive linemen was named CIAA First Team as Rafiq Abdul-Wahid picked up the honors joining TJ Batchelor. Abdul-Wahid posted 38 tackles, 12.0 TFLs, 8.5 sacks, 15 quarterback hurries and three blocked kicks on the season.
Laurence King, Witt's second favorite receiver, posted a Second Team selection after hauling in 51 receptions for 658 yards and eight touchdowns.
Earning Second Team honors in his first season with the Hawks, Jude McAtamney was a perfect 47-47 on PATs this season while going 6-10 on FG attempts including a school-record 47 yard field goal. McAtamney also averaged 61.4 yards on kick-offs with 19 touchbacks.
Gilberto Ortiz was named CIAA Second Team after leading the Hawks with 70 tackles, 19.5 TFLs, and 8.0 sacks.
J'Vin Farmer joined Anderson on the Defensive All-Rookie squad after posting 22 tackles, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery.
The full list of CIAA all-conference selections can be found here.
