Three Blinn football players named NJCAA All-Americans

Three Blinn College football players who helped the Buccaneer offense average more than 650 yards per game this season have been recognized with spots on the NJCAA All-America team.

Wide receiver Dede Westbrook (Cameron) was named to the first-team while quarterback Jake Hubenak (Georgetown) and wide receiver Damion Ratley (Yoakum) were named to the honorable mention list for the 2014 season.

"It's a big honor for all three guys," said coach Keith Thomas. "Of course you have to have the stats, but being an All-American is about character too."

Westbrook nearly averaged double figures in receptions per game at 9.5. For the season, he hauled in 76 receptions in eight games while amassing 1,487 yards and getting into the end zone 13 times. He has signed with the University of Oklahoma and will join the team for the Spring semester.

"He is a hard worker and a great kid," Thomas said. "He was great in practice for keeping the morale of the team up."

Hubenak threw for a total of 4,052 yards to average 506.5 yards a game. The signal caller threw for 47 touchdowns while completing 64.9 percent of his passes on 333 attempts.

"Jake is very smart and a great leader," Thomas said of Hubenak. "We were lucky to have him come through the junior college route."

Ratley, who has signed with Texas A&M University and will join the team this spring, caught 45 balls for 1,197 yards, but was most dangerous around the end zone, as 20 of his 45 receptions were touchdown catches.

Blinn finished 2014 with a 4-4 record in its first season under Thomas.

Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 30 NJCAA national championships since 1987. For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.

 

About Blinn College

Founded in 1883, Blinn is a comprehensive community college committed to educational excellence and to individual and community enhancement. With an enrollment of 19,317 students, Blinn ranks among the nation's leaders in transferring students to leading four-year universities and has received national recognition for affordable educational excellence.

As part of its commitment to student success, Blinn is implementing a Quality Enhancement Plan titled "Destination Success: First-Year Focus," which utilizes learning communities to support first-year college students.

For enrollment information and to learn about financial aid opportunities, visit: www.blinn.edu.