Posted: January 6, 2008
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Sports Network recently announced its 2007 All-America teams and Lehigh had five players selected including seniors Kyle Adams and John Reese and juniors Brian Jackson, Tim Diamond and Jason Leo. Jackson was a Second Team selection while Reese, Diamond and Leo were all honorable mention picks. Lehigh’s five selections were the most of any Patriot League school.
Defensive lineman Brian Jackson had a breakout year for the Mountain Hawks, ranking second on the team with 63 total tackles, including nine for loss and a team-leading 5.5 sacks. The New Jersey native also forced three fumbles. Jackson registered ten tackles and two sacks in the season opener versus Villanova and had at least five tackles in every game but two. Jackson was also a First-Team All-Patriot League selection this season.
Senior John Reese started all 11 games at center for the Mountain Hawks this season, marking the third consecutive year he started every game. A preseason All-American and two-time captain, Reese was a three time All-League selection, and two time First-Team choice. Reese anchored a Lehigh offensive line that allowed only 14 sacks this season, which led the Patriot League and ranked in the top-25 nationally.
Senior Kyle Adams helped to anchor the Mountain Hawks defensive line in 2007, as he posted a career-high 52 tackles, including two for loss and a pair of forced fumbles. Adams battled injuries his entire career, but was healthy for the entire 2007 season and capped it off with this accolade. Adams was a Second-Team All-Patriot League selection as well.
Junior Tim Diamond had a phenomenal season from his linebacker spot, leading the Mountain Hawks in tackles with 107, which ranked third in the Patriot League. It marked the first time since 2004 that a Lehigh player topped the century mark in tackles. Diamond also registered 7.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one interception and three fumble recoveries, one of which he returned for a touchdown. Diamond recorded ten or more tackles in six games, including a career-best 22 in a win over Harvard in late September which earned himself multiple National Defensive Player of the Week honors. Diamond was a First-Team All-Patriot League selection.
Junior Jason Leo had an incredible season punting the football, ranking second in the Patriot League and 14th in America with a 42.1 average. The 2006 Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Year, Leo helped the Mountain Hawks finish third in the country in net punting with a 39.8 average. Leo booted 43 punts for a total of 1,811 yards this season with 19 of those kicks being downed inside of the opponents’ 20-yard line. He also scored 61 points on 28 extra points and 11 field goals as Lehigh’s place kicker. Leo was a 2007 Second-Team All-Patriot League selection.