Dec. 27, 2009

Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina senior linebacker Adrian McLeod was honored during the holiday season by being named All-America by The Sports Network, landing on the publication's second team defensive unit.

McLeod is the seventh different WCU all-time to be recognized by The Sports Network on its All-America selection, and the first since Eddie Cohen in 2008. He joins Cohen (2nd team), Geno Segers (1st team, 1988); Todd Harkins (2nd, 1992); Kerry Hayes (1st, 1993); Ken Hinsley (3rd, 1998) and Eric Johnson (3rd, 1997; 1st, 1998).

McLeod was twice tabbed second team All-Southern Conference by both the league's head coaches and the voting members of the SoCon Sports Media Association (SCSMA). His 12.45 tackles per game average also ranked second in the entire NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) at the end of the regular season.

A preseason All-America selection by the Consensus Draft Service (CDS), McLeod recorded double-digit tackles in all but one game this season - a run of 10-straight games after finishing with nine tackles in the season opener at Vanderbilt. McLeod led the Southern Conference during the regular season with 137 total hits, including 62 solo stops and eight tackles for loss.

The Oxon Hill, Md., native recorded a career-high 18 tackles against Wofford while also forcing a fumble, and came within eight stops of tying the WCU school-record for tackles in a single season (145 set by Marcus Bradley in 1997).

During his junior season, McLeod led the Catamount defense with 100 tackles including 55 solo stops and 12 tackles for loss. He had one interception with a pair of blocked kicks and two sacks in 2008.