WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (June 4, 2012) - After posting outstanding seasons last fall, seven William and Mary football players combined to earn eight all-state honors as selected by the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID).

Running back Jonathan Grimes, tight end Alex Gottlieb, center James Pagliaro, cornerback B.W. Webb and safety Brian Thompson all garnered first-team distinction, while Grimes (return specialist), defensive end Marcus Hyde and linebacker Jabrel Mines earned second-team accolades.

Grimes concluded his collegiate career as the most decorated player in Colonial Athletic Association history with 11 all-conference honors and recently signed a free agent contract with the Houston Texans. Additionally, he owns W&M's all-time records for rushing yards (4,541), all-purpose yards (7,955) and kickoff return yards (2,289), while he ranks third on the CAA's career all-purpose yards list and sixth on the league's career rushing yards list.

As a senior, Grimes earned All-America honors from four organizations and finished fourth in the final voting for the Walter Payton Award, which honors the nation's top FCS player. En route to garnering the accolades, Grimes led the nation with 228.2 all-purpose yards per game and ranked sixth in the country with 130.1 rushing yards per game. The Palmyra, N.J., native also set single-season school records with 2,510 all-purpose yards, 1,431 rushing yards and 817 kickoff return yards. Grimes rushed for more than 130 yards in six of eight conference games in 2011 - highlighted by three consecutive 200+ yard games to close out the fall.

A two-time All-American selection, Gottlieb finished his collegiate career with 75 receptions for 905 yards with five touchdowns. Additionally, the two-time first-team all-conference honoree averaged 12.1 yards per reception during his four years at the College and recently signed a free agent contract with the Detroit Lions.

As a senior, Gottlieb ranked second on the team with 33 receptions for 424 yards with a touchdown, while his average of 12.8 yards per catch ranked just outside the league's top 10. He was especially productive in conference action, as he totaled 26 receptions for 332 yards and recorded multiple catches against all eight league opponents.

Pagliaro earned first-team all-conference honors in 2011 after an outstanding senior season. The team captain anchored the offensive line and helped Grimes establish single-season school records in all-purpose yards (2,510) and rushing yards (1,431). Additionally, he helped W&M rank third in the CAA by allowing just 19 sacks.

One of the nation's top cornerbacks, Webb earned first-team All-CAA distinction for the second-consecutive season last fall. With the honor, he increased his career total of all-league accolades to six. The Newport News, Va., native finished his junior season with 40 tackles, 3.0 TFL and two interceptions, while he currently ranks eighth on W&M's career interceptions list (11).

A second-team all-conference selection, Thompson totaled 68 tackles, 5.0 TFL, a sack, an interception and a forced fumble as a junior last season. Additionally, he ranked among the CAA's top 10 in tackles per game among defensive backs (6.2).

Hyde established himself as one of the state's top defensive ends last fall after totaling 52 tackles, 10 TFL, 6.5 sacks, five pass break-ups, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a block. En route to earning all-conference honors for the second-consecutive season, he ranked third in the CAA in sacks and sixth in tackles per game among defensive linemen (4.7).

Mines led W&M with 109 tackles last season and earned third-team all-conference honors. In addition to ranking among the CAA's top 10 in tackles per game (9.9), he posted five double-digit tackle efforts, including a 16-tackle performance in the season opener at Virginia. Mines finished the season with 8.0 TFL, 4.5 sacks, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble.

2011 VaSID All-State Teams

First Team - Offense
QB - Mike Brown, Liberty
RB - David Wilson, Virginia Tech
RB - Jonathan Grimes, W&M
WR - Tre Grey, Richmond
WR - Chris Summers, Liberty
TE - Alex Gottlieb, W&M
C - James Pagliaro, W&M
G - Austin Pasztor, Virginia
G - Earl Watford, James Madison
T - Blake DeChristopher, Virginia Tech
T - Blake Matthews, Norfolk State

First Team - Defense
DL - Ronnie Cameron, Old Dominion
DL - Matt Conrath, Virginia
DL - D.J. Bryant, James Madison
DL - James Gayle, Virginia Tech
LB - Stephon Robertson, James Madison
LB - Craig Wilkins, Old Dominion
LB - Steve Greer, Virginia and Corwin Hammond, Norfolk State
CB - Chase Minnifield, Virginia
CB - B.W. Webb, W&M
S - Eddie Whitley, Virginia Tech
S - Brian Thompson, W&M

First Team - Special Teams
K - Ryan Estep, Norfolk State
P - Jonathan Plisco, Old Dominion
RS - Kevin Fogg, Liberty

Second Team - Offense
QB - Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech
RB - Perry Jones, Virginia
RB - Dae'Quan Scott, James Madison
WR - Danny Coale, Virginia Tech
WR - Kris Burd, Virginia
TE - Brian Barlow, James Madison
C - Roan Babington, James Madison
G - Jaymes Brooks, Virginia Tech
G - Malcolm Boyd, Liberty
T - Rob Bailey, VMI
T - Kendall Noble, Norfolk State

Second Team - Defense
DL - Cam Johnson, Virginia
DL - Josh Turner, Norfolk State
DL - Marcus Hyde, William and Mary
DL - J.R. Collins, Virginia Tech
LB - Darius McMillan, Richmond
LB - A.J. Gross, VMI
LB - Jabrel Mines, W&M
CB - Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech
CB - Demetrious Nicholson, Virginia
S - Dean Marlow, James Madison
S - Rodney McLeod, Virginia

Second Team - Special Teams
K - Robert Randolph, Virginia
P - Mike Larsson, Liberty
RS - Jonathan Grimes, W&M

Major Awards
Offensive Player of the Year - David Wilson, Virginia Tech
Defensive Player of the Year - Chase Minneifield, Virginia
Rookie of the Year - Taylor Heinicke, Old Dominion
Coach of the Year - Mike London, Virginia