Nov. 22, 2005

Charleston, SC - Linebacker Shawn Grant, who spearheaded the best rushing defense in the league, leads a list of three Citadel Bulldogs who were named to the Coaches' All-Southern Conference Team.

Grant was the lone first-team pick for The Citadel, which finished 4-7 in coach Kevin Higgins' first season, while defensive lineman James Wilson and defensive back Avery Dingle earned second team accolades.

Grant, who was a first-team selection in 2004, joins fullback Everette Sands and free safety Lester Smith as the college's only two-time first-team selections by the coaches. Sands earned the citations in 1992 and '93, while Smith posted the back-to-back awards in 1991 and '92.

Grant, a 5-9, 215-pound senior from Sumter, finished fifth on the team with 60 total tackles although hampered the last three games of the season with a turf-toe injury that snapped his string of 27 consecutive starts. He finished the season seven tackles for loss, one sack, two pass breakups and one fumble recovery.

Wilson, the team's fastest player, is a 6-2, 240-pound junior from North Myrtle Beach. He had 43 tackles with nine tackles for loss, four sacks, three pass breakups and two fumble recoveries.

Dingle, a 6-3, 210-pound senior from Manning, led the team with three interceptions. He was fourth on the squad with 61 tackles and recorded two tackles for loss, three pass breakups and one forced fumble.