University of Delaware Athletics
Photo by: Ryan Griffith
Kroll, Whitehead Highlight Blue Hens’ Four All-American Nods
5/10/2021 12:57:00 PM | Football
CHICAGO – The University of Delaware football program boasted four student-athletes on the Stats Perform FCS All-America Team that was announced Monday afternoon, including two first-team selections in senior David Kroll and junior Kedrick Whitehead.
The Blue Hens' four selections is tied for the second-most by any program in the country and tied for the most by a CAA institution.
Whitehead makes his second-straight appearance on the All-America team after a third-team selection following the 2019 season. Now, Whitehead is a First Team All-American at defensive back after also being named to the All-CAA First Team. He totaled 31 tackles on the season, including two for a loss and played a key role in the Blue Hens' turnover success with an interception, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
Kroll was named to the First Team after anchoring the Delaware offensive line all season long, starting each game. He has appeared in 42 career games since arriving to Newark and helped pave the way for CAA Offensive Player of the Year Dejoun Lee and helped protect quarterback Nolan Henderson, one of the nation's most efficient passers during the 2020-21 season.
Senior Nijuel Hill was named a Second Team All-American as a defensive back with 25 tackles on the season and three interceptions. Hill was stout at corner all season long with three pass breakups on his ledger and recorded his first career sack. He made the game-clinching interception at Villanova to help the Blue Hens secure the CAA Championship.
Earning a Second-Team selection as an all-purpose player, Lee did it all for Delaware all season long. The CAA Offensive Player of the Year and Walter Payton Award finalist rushed for 564 yards in eight games, averaging 4.7 yards a carry. He scored six touchdowns on the ground and added another on a season-opening kickoff return. He totaled 221 rushing yards at then No. 18 Rhode Island, the second-most in an FCS game this season.
Lee finished the regular season ranked sixth in FCS in all-purpose yards per game and 12th in rushing yards per game. He also ranked fourth on the team in receiving yards with 119 on 16 catches.
The Blue Hens' 2020-21 campaign ended in the FCS Semifinal Saturday, but not before winning a pair of playoff games and earning the program's first conference title since 2010.
Delaware have a short offseason with the 2021 season scheduled to kick-off Sept. 4 at Maine before the home-opener against Saint Francis Sept. 11 at Delaware Stadium. Fans interested in season tickets for the 2021 fall season can visit here.
For the latest on the Delaware football program, follow the Blue Hens on Twitter @DelawareFB and Instagram @DelawareFootball, and like "Delaware Football" on Facebook.
The Blue Hens' four selections is tied for the second-most by any program in the country and tied for the most by a CAA institution.
Whitehead makes his second-straight appearance on the All-America team after a third-team selection following the 2019 season. Now, Whitehead is a First Team All-American at defensive back after also being named to the All-CAA First Team. He totaled 31 tackles on the season, including two for a loss and played a key role in the Blue Hens' turnover success with an interception, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
Kroll was named to the First Team after anchoring the Delaware offensive line all season long, starting each game. He has appeared in 42 career games since arriving to Newark and helped pave the way for CAA Offensive Player of the Year Dejoun Lee and helped protect quarterback Nolan Henderson, one of the nation's most efficient passers during the 2020-21 season.
Senior Nijuel Hill was named a Second Team All-American as a defensive back with 25 tackles on the season and three interceptions. Hill was stout at corner all season long with three pass breakups on his ledger and recorded his first career sack. He made the game-clinching interception at Villanova to help the Blue Hens secure the CAA Championship.
Earning a Second-Team selection as an all-purpose player, Lee did it all for Delaware all season long. The CAA Offensive Player of the Year and Walter Payton Award finalist rushed for 564 yards in eight games, averaging 4.7 yards a carry. He scored six touchdowns on the ground and added another on a season-opening kickoff return. He totaled 221 rushing yards at then No. 18 Rhode Island, the second-most in an FCS game this season.
Lee finished the regular season ranked sixth in FCS in all-purpose yards per game and 12th in rushing yards per game. He also ranked fourth on the team in receiving yards with 119 on 16 catches.
The Blue Hens' 2020-21 campaign ended in the FCS Semifinal Saturday, but not before winning a pair of playoff games and earning the program's first conference title since 2010.
Delaware have a short offseason with the 2021 season scheduled to kick-off Sept. 4 at Maine before the home-opener against Saint Francis Sept. 11 at Delaware Stadium. Fans interested in season tickets for the 2021 fall season can visit here.
For the latest on the Delaware football program, follow the Blue Hens on Twitter @DelawareFB and Instagram @DelawareFootball, and like "Delaware Football" on Facebook.
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