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by ROB JENKINS
Sports Editor
In the 2008 football season, Appalachian State safety Mark LeGree led the FCS with 10 interceptions.
So the question on the minds of Mountaineer fans is, can he surpass that total this season?
Linebacker Justin Lloyd certainly thinks so.
“I don’t doubt he’ll get more [interceptions this season],” Lloyd said. “We were watching the [2008] Richmond game and he was pointing out plays where he should have made picks. I feel like he’s going to be motivated to make even more than last year.”
LeGree has garnered his fair share of recognition this preseason.
In
addition to being named first team All-Southern Conference a few weeks
ago, LeGree has been named to the Sports Network preseason All-America
team and the Buck Buchanan Award watch list.
Most recently, LeGree was the only FCS player to be named to the Bronco Nagurski Award watch list.
The Nagurski Award is given annually to the best defensive player in college football.
“I mean it’s cool; it’s just nice to be noticed,” LeGree said. “I know I won’t win it, but just to be on that list is great.”
LeGree is the second ASU player this year to be named to the watch list of an award usually given to a player from the FBS.
Armanti Edwards was the only FCS player named to the Manning Award watch list announced Aug. 17.
Defensive coordinator John Wiley commented on what the preseason recognition says about the team and LeGree.
“Well,
obviously we are a program that people are aware of,” Wiley said. “We
get a lot of notoriety and we have a good reputation nationwide. And as
a player, obviously [LeGree] made an impact on the national scene on a
good team.”
Mountaineer head coach Jerry Moore compared LeGree’s play to former ASU safety Corey Lynch and praised his leadership.
“He’s
just an aggressive, heads up football player. He’s got a great sense of
what’s happening to him, a lot like Corey Lynch,” Moore said. “[His
greatest attribute] is leadership. He has the ability to turn big plays
and anticipate things that are happening to him.”
Lloyd commended LeGree’s intelligence on the football field.
“I mean
he’s smart. He knows where to be,” Lloyd said. “He knows his assignment
as well as your assignment, so in case you ever forget he’s always
there to back you up and let you know he’s there.”
Off the field, Lloyd said LeGree has a reputation as a “quiet comedian.”
“He’s
real funny. He’s not one of those people who just comes out and says
certain things,” Lloyd said. “He’s just himself and everyone starts
laughing.”
Looking forward to this season, LeGree thinks he can top his impressive 2008 numbers.
“I’d
like to get 13 [interceptions] because that’s my number,” LeGree said.
“But I really do think I can match [last year] or beat it this year,
especially if we make it to the national championship.
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