Senior Trio Highlight Six ASU All-SIAC Football Selections

ATLANTA, Ga. – The Golden Ram leaders received their due Friday morning. The Albany State senior trio of Cameron Watts, Derrick Drayton and Omarion Dupree highlighted six All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Football selections as First Team members, while Cameo Jones, Ty'Orice Brown and Rontavion Scott received Second Team status.

The half dozen ASU leaders helped their team secured the 25^th-straight non-losing season at 5-5, including scoring over 49-plus points three times and a pair of shutouts. The Golden Ram honorees also have the chance for another winning season this weekend when they play at the Hawks of Shorter University on Saturday afternoon (Nov. 14) at a 1 p.m. start in Rome, Ga.

Watts grabbed three of the All-SIAC First Team spots as one of the four defensive backs along with being both the kick returner and punt returner. Drayton returned to the First Team at defensive line, while Dupree makes his first appearance as an All-Conference pick on the top team tight end. Brown and Jones provided the consistent offensive line blocking, while Scott was one of the other Golden Ram defensive backs and team's top tackler.

"I am very happy for OJ Dupree, Cameron Watts, and Derrick Drayton for making all-conference first team. They were consistent all season with playing at a high level each week," expressed ASU Head Coach David Bowser. "Rontavion Scott, Cameo Jones, and Ty'Orice Brown were very close to being 1st team performers as well. They were glue guys who were major reasons for our strong finish to the season."

In the SIAC's top awards, Central State's quarterback Jackson Wasik earned both the Overall Player of the Year (MVP) and Offensive Player of the Year. Linebacker Trevon French of Edward Waters was voted as the Defensive Player of the Year. In his first year in the league, quarterback Tavion Faulk from Edward Waters is the Newcomer of the Year, while Benedict College running back Christopher Johnson garnered the Freshman of the Year. Central State's Tony Carter and the surge of the Marauders is the Coach of the Year.

Starting with Watts, who single-handedly set the tone for the victory last weekend in the 49-0 shutout of Fort Valley State by returning the game's opening kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown and seconds later an interception 53 yards for another score in the opening 47 seconds, is ASU's long multi-honoree.

"Cameron Watts was definitely explosive and exciting as a kick returner and punt returner this season. And making it as a defensive back showed how special of a player that he has been this season," added Bowser.

Watts was one of the top SIAC cornerbacks and the premiere kick and punt returner. Defensively, Watts, Drayton and Scott were big parts of ASU having the top defensive unit in the SIAC with allowing only 283.7 yards per game and a mere 96.1 yards on the ground, while second in points allowed at 17.9 points per contest.

The senior from Tyrone, Ga., posted 31 solo and 36 total tackles, which was only two shy of equaling his total amount from his first three years combined. He had two tackles for loss and a team-best five interceptions with two returned for touchdowns and 10 pass breakups.

In the return game, the 2025 All-SIAC honoree Watts repeats as the top kick and punt returner. The fourth-year player not only led the SIAC, but all of NCAA Division II in punt returns at 18.4 yard average (11 for 202 yards with one 69-yard touchdown at Savannah State). He was sixth in kick returns (24.9 yard average with 12 for 299 yards) and the lone SIAC kick returner to take two for touchdowns.

Being the opponent's biggest concern on the defensive front, Drayton also made another appearance on the All-SIAC First Team.

"Derrick Drayton continued to play at a high level to show why he was an All-American last season in a very competitive conference," stressed Bowser.

Drayton from College Park, Ga., anchored the stout and top run-stopping force of the league. The 2025 All-SIAC First Teamer received double teams all year and still finished third on the Rams in total tackles at 40 with 21 solo. The senior had a team high 10 tackles for loss of 133 yards to go with 3.5 sacks for 30 yards and forced a pair of fumbles.

One of the many pass catching options, Dupree from Atlanta, Ga., picked up his first All-SIAC award.

"OJ Dupree brought experience to our offense and continued to assist with run game as it improved throughout the season. Coaches in the conference recognized his blocking and ball catching skills," finished Bowser.

Dupree was both a key blocker and quality pass catcher where he pulled in nine passes for 100 yards and a touchdown. The senior caught a pass in six of the 10 games with two catches for 35 yards and a score at Allen and two receptions for 23 yds at Savannah State.

Turning to the Second Team honorees, the ASU offensive line was guided by Jones (Cocoa, Fla.) and Brown (Miami, Fla.). The sophomore and senior helped the Golden Ram attack average 25.2 points per game, 131.2 rushing and 164.7 passing yards.

Rounding out the All-Conference players, Scott was the top tackler on the SIAC's top defense. The junior from Jacksonville, Fla., recorded the ASU top tackle amount with 50 total tackles, 34 solo. The defensive back had 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack to go with two interceptions that he returned for 77 yards and three pass breakups. Scott posted seven games with five-plus tackles in a game with a season-high eight against Fort Valley State and seven versus both Kentucky State and Lane College.

-GoldenRams-

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#65 Ty'Orice Brown: OL; 6' 2"; Senior

#91 Derrick Drayton: DE; 6' 2"; Redshirt Senior

#6 Cameron Watts: CB; 5' 8"; Senior

#54 Cameo Jones: OL; 6' 3"; Sophomore

#5 Rontavion Scott: S; 5' 10"; Redshirt Junior

Players Mentioned

#65 Ty'Orice Brown
: 6' 2"; Senior
: OL

#91 Derrick Drayton
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Senior
: DE

#6 Cameron Watts
: 5' 8"; Senior
: CB

#54 Cameo Jones
: 6' 3"; Sophomore
: OL

#5 Rontavion Scott
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Junior
: S