[February 5, 2008]

By: Houston Taylor

MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Southern Arkansas placed two players on the 2007 Don Hansen’s Football Gazette All-Southeast Region Team that was released today (Tuesday). Tight end Johnny Fields was named to the second team offense and defensive back C.J. Ellis was a third team defensive pick.

Fields, a 6-0, 236-pound senior on this past year’s team, is from De Soto, Texas, and previously was named to this year’s First Team All-Gulf South Conference squad. He was second for the Muleriders this season in both receptions (15) and receiving yards (215). Fields graduated this December, receiving his B.B.A. in business-administration-management. He was named second team on the esteemed ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VI Football Team this fall, was a GSC All-Academic Team pick, and is a four-time selection to the GSC Academic Honor Roll.

Ellis is a 5-8, 182-pound senior out of Hope. A Second Team All-GSC honoree this past season, he was also named by both the Football Gazette and D2Football.com as national defensive player of the week for his performance in SAU’s 31-17 win over West Alabama. Ellis also received the GSC’s defensive player of the week honor in that game, finishing with 13 tackles, eight unassisted, and had 5.5 tackles for loss, including a 13-yard sack. He was second on the 2007 squad in tackles with 59, including 38 unassisted, and led Southern Arkansas with 10.5 tackles for loss, with 2.5 sacks. Ellis also added five pass breakups, and one forced fumble and one recovery.