Michigan State University Athletics
Thornhill and Jarrett Named Freshman All-Americans
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
December 9, 1998
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State linebacker Josh Thornhill and punter Craig Jarrett have been named Freshman All-Americans by The Sporting News.
Thornhill, who finished fourth on the team with 80 tackles (46 solos, 34 assists) in 1998, earned second-team Freshman All-America honors. He also was credited with four tackles for losses (15 yards), including a sack (5 yards), and five pass break-ups. The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder from Lansing, Mich., averaged 10.8 tackles in his six starts. Thornhill was selected Spartan Defensive Player of the Week after recording 11 stops (8 solos, 3 assists) and three pass break-ups vs. Minnesota. He reached double figures in tackles five times, including a season-high 16 stops (9 solos, 7 assists) in his first collegiate start vs. Indiana.
"Josh Thornhill developed quickly because he had all the necessary tools," Michigan State head coach Nick Saban said. "Josh is a very bright young man and he has a lot of pride but most importantly, he's a great competitor. He became a consistent contributor from the Indiana game on."
"This is a great honor, but not one that I expected," Thornhill said. "I got thrown into the starting lineup in midseason when Mike Austin went down with an injury. I knew I had to step up my play because I was being asked to fill some big shoes.
"All the hard work over the summer and throughout the season really paid off. I have to credit my coaches and teammates for this award because they pushed me every day to get better."
Jarrett, who ranked second in the Big Ten and No. 12 nationally in punting with his 43.8-yard average, was featured on the Freshman All-America third team. It marked the highest season average for a Michigan State punter since Greg Montgomery averaged 45.0 yards in 1987. He stood third among the NCAA's top freshman punters, trailing only Arizona State's Stephen Baker (No. 3 at 45.7 avg.) and Ohio's Dave Zastudil (No. 4 at 45.3).
The 6-2, 215-pounder from Martinsville, Ind., hit 20 punts 50-plus yards and had 17 of his punts downed inside the opponent's 20-yard line. Jarrett launched a season-long 81-yarder in the season finale at Penn State.
