Ten Jayhawk Football Players Named All-Big 12

Dec. 1, 2004

Lawrence, Kan. — Ten members of the University of Kansas football team were named All-Big 12 on Wednesday in a release issued by the conference office. The Jayhawks had a pair of players — senior defensive lineman David McMillan and sophomore cornerback Charles Gordon — named to the first team, while senior center Joe Vaughn and junior linebacker Nick Reid were placed on the second team. Selections were made by the league’s 12 head coaches, who are not permitted to vote for their own players.

Gordon and McMillan represent the first KU football players named first team All-Big 12 since 2001 (defensive tackle Nate Dwyer). The pair’s honor also marks the first time that Kansas has placed two Jayhawks on the first team since the formation of the Big 12 Conference.

Junior defensive end Jermial Ashley, sophomore safety Rodney Harris, senior wide receiver Brandon Rideau, senior safety Tony Stubbs and junior linebacker Gabriel Toomey joined Gordon — who also earned accolades at wide receiver — as honorable mention selections.

McMillan ended his senior season as the team leader with seven quarterback sacks. His best game of the year came in the team’s final contest of the season, as the Killeen, Texas native sacked Missouri quarterback Brad Smith three times in KU’s 31-14 win in Columbia, Mo.

Gordon, playing his first full season on the defensive side of the ball, tied for the national lead with seven interceptions. He also led the Big 12 with 15 passes defended. The Carson, Calif., native, ranked fifth on the team with 57 (34 solo/23 assisted) tackles from his cornerback position. He was one of just two players on the first team defense not in their senior year of eligibility. In limited action as a wide receiver, Gordon had 15 catches for 150 yards and two touchdowns.

Vaughn, who was named Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year in 2003, was the anchor of KU’s offensive line during his time in Lawrence. In 24 games during his two years in a Jayhawk uniform, the Del City, Okla., never missed a starting assignment.

Reid, a native of Derby, Kan., ranked first or second among all Big 12 players throughout the season in tackles per game. He finished the year as the team leader with 109 total tackles — his second straight season with 100 or more stops. Reid also recorded a team-best 15 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and three quarterback sacks.

First Team Defense
David McMillan (Sr./defensive line)		Charles Gordon (So./defensive back)
Second Team Offense		Second Team Defense
Joe Vaughn (Sr./center)		Nick Reid (Jr./linebacker)
Honorable Mention Offense
Charles Gordon (So./wide receiver)		Brandon Rideau (Sr./wide receiver)
Honorable Mention Defense
Jermial Ashley (Jr./defensive line)	Rodney Harris (So./defensive back)	Tony Stubbs (Sr./defensive back)	Gabriel Toomey (Jr./linebacker)