Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
PORTALES — After an impressive 2017 season that ended by narrowly missing the NCAA Division II playoffs, the Eastern New Mexico University football team has already received numerous accolades in this young offseason.
Now, along with All-Lone Star Conference and All-American honors, add all-star game selections to the list for this Greyhound senior class.
A quartet of Greyhound seniors — Kamal Cass, Isaiah Talbert, Tobi Amadi and D’Maujeric Tucker will all take part in all-star games over the next several days. Kass will play in Friday’s Dream Bowl, Talbert in Saturday’s NAIA Bowl, Tucker and Amadi in next Monday’s All-American Bowl.
Cass, the program's all-time leading rusher (4,301 yards), is a three-time All-American. He rushed for a career-best 276 yards against nationally-ranked Midwestern State to conclude his ENMU career on Nov. 11, while also breaking Tom Manley’s 41-year school rushing record.
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound fullback amassed 53 total touchdowns and 5,322 all-purpose yards over 44 career games. The Clovis native led the LSC in rushing once again in 2017, taking the league crown by 509 yards, while garnering a second-straight AFCA First Team All-American honor.
Talbert, a two-time All-Lone Star Conference choice, is a 6-3, 290-pound offensive lineman who played a major role in Cass’ success. Talbert’s blocking helped the Hounds run one of the most efficient offenses in the nation, as Eastern led the LSC in rushing every year he was on the team.
Tucker has been known for big plays throughout his career. His 99-yard kickoff return in 2013 sparked the Greyhounds to their first Wagon Wheel win in a decade, on the way to a league championship. The 195-pound running back finished fifth on the team in all-purpose yards in ’17, gaining 537 yards, while scoring six rushing touchdowns.
Amadi (6-0, 212) joined Cass as a First-Team All-LSC selection this past season. The defensive back finished tied for first on the Greyhounds with 47 tackles and third in pass deflections (10). His performance helped ENMU finish third in the conference in total defense, while he ranked eighth in the league in passes broken up.
