Dec. 9, 2002

Columbia, SC –

Three South Carolina football athletes have been named Freshman All-America by The Sporting News and a total of four have been named to the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman team as selected by that national publication.

Moe Thompson, a true freshman defensive end from Goose Creek, S.C., was named first-team Freshman All-America by The Sporting News. Thompson started 11 of the 12 games for Carolina this season and made 52 total tackles (32 solo), including 4.5 tackles for loss and two quarterback sacks. He also had an interception, broke up three passes and recovered two fumbles.

Na’shan Goddard, a redshirt freshman center from Dayton, Ohio, was named to the magazine’s third team Freshman All-America squad, as was redshirt freshman linebacker Lance Laury. Goddard started seven games at center for USC and Laury was the team’s third leading tackler with 90 stops despite missing two games with a knee injury.

All three of these rookies, along with true freshman wide receiver Troy Williamson from Jackson, S.C., were named to The Sporting News’ SEC All-Freshman team.

The SEC’s coaches also announced the league’s award winners on Monday. From South Carolina, Thompson, Williamson and Laury were all named to the All-Freshman team. In addition, senior nose guard Langston Moore was named second-team All-SEC by the league’s coaches. Moore started all 12 games and led the team with 9.5 tackles for loss and was second on the club with three quarterback sacks. Moore is from Charleston, S.C.

The league’s top award winners were as follows:

SEC Player of the Year — David Pollack, defensive end, Georgia

SEC Freshman of the Year — Kwane Doster, running back/return specialist, Vanderbilt

SEC Coach of the Year — Mark Richt, Georgia

Jacobs Blocking Trophy — Shawn Andrews, offensive tackle, Arkansas

The Associated Press’ All-SEC teams are expected to be released on Tuesday.