Nov. 5, 2008

Three Johnson C. Smith University football players were named to the CIAA All-Rookie Team. Offensive Lineman Geno Barnett (Spring Lake, N.C.) , wide receiver Rico Poole (Atlanta, Ga.) and defensive back Darius Johnson (Atlanta, Ga.) were all named to the team as voted on by the CIAA Sports Information Directors' Association.

Barnett, a one-time Offensive Lineman of the Week was named to the team after providing protection for the second best pass offense and the fifth best scoring offense in the conference. He is the first offensive big man to be named All-Rookie since 2000.

Poole has played in all 10 games and caught 30 passes for 249 yards and a touchdown. He is second on the team in receptions and 10th in the conference. Poole is also on the of the best return men in the conference averaging 6.9 yards per punt return and 15.4 yards in kick-off returns.

Johnson, also from Atlanta, Georgia, was ranked ninth in interceptions with three, and 14th in the conference (second on the team) in total tackles with 50 (24 solo, 26 assisted). JCSU ended their season with a 3-7 overall record, 2-5 in conference play.