Nov. 29, 2007

Chapel Hill, N.C. ---- University of North Carolina football players Marvin Austin and Deunta Williams have been named first-team freshman All-America by Scout.com and Rivals.com, respectively. Linebacker Quan Sturdivant was named Scout.com honorable mention. Williams, who earlier this week was named the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, had 57 tackles and a team-high three interceptions. Austin posted 26 tackles, six tackles for loss and four sacks.

A native of Jacksonville, N.C., Williams converted from wide receiver to safety after the arrival of head coach Butch Davis. Williams proved to be a steady force in the defensive backfield and had interceptions against James Madison, Virginia Tech and Miami.

Austin came to Carolina from Washington, D.C., as the nation's No. 1 defensive recruit and did not disappoint, playing in every game as a true freshman and starting three. His four sacks ranked third on the team.

Sturdivant enrolled at North Carolina in January after playing quarterback in high school. The Oakboro, N.C., native switched to linebacker in the spring and flourished after earning his first career start at Virginia Tech. He started six games and recorded 47 tackles, one interception, one fumble recovery and blocked a kick. He had a career-high 11 stops at NC State.