Shaw honored by Ga. Southern coaches with Russell Award

STATESBORO -- Jaybo Shaw helped lead Georgia Southern to the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) semifinals in his first season with the Eagles, and the quarterback was honored by the team's coaches this weekend when he was given the Erk Russell Award.

The Russell Award goes to the Eagle player who most exemplifies the character, morals, ethics and actions of Coach Russell -- who reinstated the football program in Statesboro in 1982.

Shaw, a Flowery Branch High graduate, transferred to Georgia Southern after two seasons at Georgia Tech and passed for 1,572 yards and 7 touchdowns this season. He also rushed for 514 yards and 16 scores as the Eagles reached the final four for the first time since 2002.

Also honored was Brent Russell (Comer), who earned his second Most Valuable Player award. The sophomore defensive lineman was named to four All-America teams and was one of 20 finalists for the Buck Buchanan Award, a trophy given annually to the top defensive player in the FCS.

In addition to his All-America awards, Russell earned numerous Southern Conference honors as a member of the first team defensive unit as voted by the league's coaches and media. He was also named the SouthernPigskin.com Defensive Player of the Year for the Southern Conference. Russell was selected as the SoCon's "Player of the Week" for defense after the Western Carolina game in which he registered 3.5 tackles for loss for a total of 22 yards. He was also named the SoCon Defensive Football Student-Athlete for the month of November, recording 22 tackles, which included eight tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks as the Eagles went 4-0 that month.

Georgia Southern begins spring practice on Tuesday, March 22nd, and concludes the 15-practice schedule with the annual Blue-White game on Friday, April 15th.

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