By: Houston Taylor
MAGNOLIA, Ark. – One of the top defensive linemen in the Gulf South Conference was recognized Tuesday as one of the top in the country as Southern Arkansas defensive tackle Cedric Thornton (6-5, 266, Jr., Star City, Ark.) was doubly honored in being named to both the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and Daktronics NCAA 
Division II All-America teams.
A previous first team Daktronics All-Super Region 2 and GSC pick, Thornton became the first defensive lineman in over 25 years this season to lead a Mulerider team in tackles. The junior racked up a total of 80 (49 unassisted) with 23 for 84 yards in loss, including 8.5 sacks for minus 48 yards. All those totals were highs for SAU and he added a team-leading two forced fumbles and blocked kicks.
Thornton leads all of Division II in tackles for loss at 2.35 per game, and is tied at 13th nationally and led the GSC with 0.90 sacks per game. He averaged 8.10 tackles per contest this year, which was good for sixth in the conference, and had league single-game highs of 4.5 tackles for loss versus North Alabama and three sacks versus Arkansas-Monticello.
Thornton anchored a Southern Arkansas defense that is currently 11th nationally and led the GSC in tackles for loss (8.50 per game); and finished second in the GSC in sacks (2.40 per game), second in pass defense (193.7), third in total defense (328.8) and fourth in rushing defense (135.1).
At his best in the big games, Thornton had his most impressive performances against the GSC’s three playoff teams. In the season-opener against North Alabama he recorded a game-high nine tackles with 4.5 for 23 yards in loss, including 2.5 sacks for minus 17, forced two fumbles and blocked a PAT and was named the league’s defensive player of the week. He posted a career-high 13 tackles with one behind the line in the Muleriders’ five-overtime win versus West Alabama; and had 10 stops with 3.5 for loss against Arkansas Tech. 
Thornton had at least two-plus tackles for loss in six games on the year, including five games with at least one sack.
Thornton is the first SAU player to be named a first team All-American since current Seattle Seahawk defensive back Jordan Babineaux and Calgary Stampeder wide receiver Nik Lewis were in 2003. He’s only the fourth player in Southern Arkansas history to be named to the prestigious AFCA All-America squad, selected by the nation’s coaches, and the first since former place-kicker Jason Williams in 1998.
Thornton received the most votes of any defensive lineman in the country on the Daktronics team, which is nominated and voted on by Division II sports information directors across the nation.
