Jan. 20, 2012
NORFOLK, Va. -- Old Dominion defensive tackle Ronnie Cameron (Westbury, N.Y.) and punter Jonathan Plisco (Newport News, Va.) were named All-Americans by the College Sports Journal it was announced this week.
Cameron, the Colonial Athletic Association and Roanoke Times Defensive Player of the Year, has reached All-America status seven times for his 2011 performance, including the national honor from the College Sports Journal. Additionally, he has been named a First Team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), The Sports Network, and Beyond College Sports Network, as well a Second Team All-American by the Associated Press and Phil Steele and a Honorable Mention All-American by College Sporting News.
Other post-season honors for the defensive tackle have included the 2011 Elite Defensive Tackle Award by the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) and a nod to the Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association Academic All-Star Team. Cameron also recently made an appearance at the 2012 Casino Del Sol All-Star Game.
Second on the Monarch squad with 73 tackles (28 solo, 45 assisted) along with a team-leading 17 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks, Cameron averaged 5.6 tackles per game, which was fourth among defensive lineman in the CAA. Cameron also finished second in the league in tackles for loss averaging 1.31 per contest.
Capturing a career-high 11 tackles along with a season-high 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks against CAA Champion Towson, the Monarch co-captain also made 10 stops with three for loss against James Madison in ODU's first top-10 victory.
Cameron's performance on the defensive line helped the Monarchs rank second in the league at the close of the regular season in rushing defense allowing 122.55 yards per contest.
Plisco has already earned First Team All-American honors from Beyond College Sports Network in addition to Second Team All-America status by College Sports Madness, The Sports Network the Associated Press, and Phil Steele for play in 2011.
In all, the Monarch punter has earned nine All-America honors in his three-year career with Old Dominion. In addition to his six All-America honors this season, he earned three national accolades as a freshman - First Team All-American by the Associated Press, a Second Team All-American by The Sports Network, and earned Honorable Mention status by The College Sporting News.
A First Team All-CAA selection, Plisco led the CAA and ranked second in the nation in punting averaging 46.2 yards per punt. Of his 51 punts on the year, 20 went the distance of 50 yards or more and 12 were placed inside the opponent 20.
Cameron and Plisco were among the 11 Monarchs to earn All-CAA honors as they helped guide the team to a 10-3 overall record, a second-place 6-2 mark in the CAA after being picked to finish 10th in the preseason polls, a second round playoff berth, and not only ODU's first appearance in the national polls, but a top-10 ranking.
College Sports Journal selected 63 players, to signify the 63 scholarships awarded to teams playing at the FCS level, and an additional honorable mention team. To view CSJ All-American teams click here.
MONARCH MOMENTS:
National Signing Day is approaching...Stay tuned to ODUSports.com on Wednesday, February 1 to learn who the newest members of the Football Monarchs will be!