RICHMOND, Va. – The Elon University football team produced three players on the 2020 All-CAA Football postseason team as announced by the league office on Wednesday, April 21. In addition, senior quarterback Davis Cheek was selected as CAA Football’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Elon redshirt senior punter Hunter Stephenson highlighted the Phoenix’s All-CAA Football selections as the Wake Forest, N.C., native earned first-team laurels. Phoenix defensive backs Cole Coleman and Jalen Greene also received all-league honors as the duo were selected on the second team.
Stephenson led CAA Football in the majority of the punting categories, posting a 43.4 average on his 30 punts, accumulating 1,301 yards. His punting averaged ranked 10th overall in the nation and also had five punts of 50 yards or more with a season-long 66-yarder at Richmond. He also had seven of his punts downed inside the 20.
“Hunter Stephenson has worked hard to improve his leg strength and consistency,” said Elon head football coach Tony Trisciani. “He led the CAA and was No. 10 in the country in punting average. It was great to see him have success this spring and finish his career as an All-Conference performer.”
Coleman averaged 15 tackles per game for the Phoenix and had 20 solo tackles on the season. The junior was named the CAA Football’s Defensive Player of the Week on Feb. 22 after tallying a career-high 17 tackles in the Phoenix’s 26-23 victory over Davidson.
“Cole Coleman saw limited action for us this spring, but he was very productive,” added Trisciani. “Cole played sideline to sideline and was a tackling machine from his safety position picking up 30 tackles in two games.”
Greene started every game at cornerback for the Phoenix, ranking sixth on the team in total tackles with 29 and also leading the squad with five pass breakups. The Durham, N.C., native also forced two fumbles, with a fumble recovery and one interception.
“Jalen Greene put in the work necessary to develop his skills and took full advantage of his opportunity to transition from playing quarterback to defensive back,” said Trisciani. “He started every game for us this spring and used his size and speed to challenge receivers.”
Cheek becomes the program’s second recipient to be named CAA Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year. The Charlotte, N.C., native has been a member of the CAA Football Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll three times while also being a member of the Dean’s List and AD Honor Roll. Cheek was also a semifinalist for the 2020 William V. Campbell Trophy and graduated this past fall Cum Laude with a degree in strategic communications.
“Davis Cheek has been highly successful in the classroom and on the field,” said Trisciani. “He will finish his career at Elon next fall with a degree in strategic communications and an MBA.”