Broncos Honored Nationally

KALAMAZOO ? Senior defensive end Jason Babin (Paw Paw, MI) has been named to The Sporting News All-America Second Team, joining rare company as only the third two-time All-American selection in school history along with TB Jerome Persell (1976-77) and LB John Offerdahl (1984-85). Babin, who becomes WMU's 12th All-America selection, received fourth team honors from The Sporting News last season.

In addition, redshirt freshman LB Paul Tithof (Chesaning, MI) and true freshman TE Tyson DeVree (Hudsonville, MI) have been named Freshmen All-Americans by The Sporting News, becoming the first Broncos since RB Robert Sanford in 1997 to achieve that feat. Tithof was chosen to the first team, DeVree to the second team.

Several weeks ago, sophomore WR Greg Jennings (Kalamazoo, MI) received All-American honors from Southern Football Weekly, a regional magazine based out of Charlotte, N.C.

Twice chosen MAC Defensive Player of the Year, Babin leads the nation in tackles for loss (2.75 per game) and ranks second in pass sacks (1.25 per game). The 6-4, 276-pound Babin also paces the MAC with 33 TFLs and 15 sacks and topped the Broncos in tackles (115). Babin is exploring his post-season options after having received invites from the East-West Shrine, Hula Maui and Senior bowl games.

Tithof started 10 games at linebacker, finishing as the team's third-leading tackler (88) despite missing two games to injury. Among his teammates, Tithof stood second in fumble recoveries (2) and fourth in tackles for loss (10). He also surpassed the 10-tackle plateau four times, including a season-high 13-tackle performance at Northern Illinois.

DeVree was a likely redshirt candidate before TE Tony Scheffler was lost for the year in the opener at Michigan State. The 6-6, 215-pound DeVree led Bronco tight ends in receptions (30) and finished fourth in team receptions (30) and receiving yards (331) ? no small feat considering the team's depth at the receiver spot. DeVree certainly lived up to his press clippings after being named the 12th-best recruit in the Mid-American Conference by Athlon Magazine.

Jennings earned All-MAC Second Team accolades after setting a school record for touchdown receptions (14) in a season. He also led the team in receiving yards (1,050) and yards per reception (18.8), making 56 catches on the season. Jennings registered six 100-yard games and had seven catches of 40 or more yards. He ranks fourth in MAC receiving yards (87.5) and kickoff returns (21.6), fifth in all-purpose yardage (144.5).