Orono, Maine -- Eight members of the University of Maine football team have earned All-Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) honors, as announced by the conference on Tuesday, Nov. 21.

Sophomore Josh Mack (RB), senior Jamil Demby (OL), sophomore Earnest Edwards (KR) and junior Mozai Nelson (Specialist) were named to the All-CAA first team. Junior Sterling Sheffield (LB) and sophomore Manny Patterson (CB) each received All-CAA second team honors while senior Isaiah Brooks (OL) and sophomore Kayon Whitaker (DL) were named to the All-CAA third team.

Mack's 1,335 rush yards were tops in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and the fourth highest single-season total in Maine Football history. Mack, who earned his first All-CAA honor, also led the nation in rush yards per game (133.5) and ranked third among FCS leaders in all-purpose yards per game (161.5). Mack, who rushed for 100+ yards in seven of Maine's 10 games, added 200+ yard rush performances against Bryant and Rhode Island. Mack was the CAA leader in rushing touchdowns (9) and yards per carry (5.49).

Demby, who was named to the Preseason All-CAA team back in July, backed up his preseason honor by earning his second All-CAA honor and first selection to the first team. Demby, who started all 10 games at left tackle, led an offensive line which paved the way for the FCS leader in rushing (Mack) and anchored an offensive line which allowed a league-low 19 sacks and ranked third in the CAA in sacks allowed per game (1.9).

For the second-straight season, Edwards was electric in the return game, highlighted by his 95-yard return for a score at Fenway Park against UMass. Edwards led the CAA in return yards per game (24.5) and ranked third in the league in total return yards (662). The sophomore earns his second All-CAA honor in just his second season after being named All-CAA third team a year prior.

Nelson earns his first All-CAA honor after proving to be a leader on Maine's special teams. Nelson finished the year with 16 total tackles and a pair of blocked punts while starting on every single special team unit throughout 2017.

Sheffield earns his second All-CAA honor (third team in 2016) after also being named to the Preseason All-CAA team to start the season. The junior linebacker ranked eighth in the league with 12.0 tackles for loss and 31st in the CAA with 6.4 tackles per game. Sheffield, who made 64 total stops on the year, started all 10 games, recording a TFL in nine of Maine's 10 contests to go along with 5.5 sacks, a pair of interceptions two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble.

Patterson, who was Maine's Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2016, earned his first All-CAA accolade after leading the CAA and ranking second in the nation with 1.7 pass deflections per game. Patterson, who finished the year with 14 tackles and impressive 17 pass breakups, tallied a career-best five pass deflections in Maine's win at UAlbany.

Brooks, who started all 44 games during his career, was one of Maine's leaders along the offensive line. Brooks' skill and leadership helped Mack to his nation leading 1,335 rush yards and also held the opposition to a CAA-low 19 sacks.

Whitaker emerged as one of the top defensive lineman in the league. The sophomore started all 10 games and led the CAA with 0.85 sacks per game while ranking third with with 1.3 tackles for loss per game. Overall, Whitaker completed the 2017 season with 8.5 sacks and 13.0 tackles for loss, leading the Black Bears in both categories. He finished the year tied for 27th in the CAA with 6.5 tackles per game (65 total stops) while forcing a pair of fumbles and recovering one.

-UMaine-