The University of Akron Athletics
Brian Wagner Gets Freshman Honors; Others Honored
December 08 | Football
AKRON -
University of Akron linebacker Brian Wagner was named
Freshman All-American by both Phil Steele's Magazine (second team)
and CollegeFootballNews.com (third team).
Also, Phil Steele released his 2009 All-MAC team, which included
first team honorees Wagner (LB) and Miguel Graham (CB); second
team honoree Corey Woods (LT); and third
team honorees Andre Jones (WR), Dashan
Miller (KOR) and Manley Waller (CB).
Wagner (Springfield/Springfield Cathloic Central HS) is the fifth
Zip to be named Freshman All-American, joining first team honoree
Phil Dunn (1991), third team honoree Kevin Grant (2005), first
team honoree David Harvey (2006) and
honorable mention honoree Almondo Sewell (2007).
In 2009, Wagner:
- Ranks sixth (tied) in the NCAA in tackles (11.0), while his 132 tackles leads the Mid-American Conference. (NOTE: Wagner has accomplished this despite getting just three stops as he battled illness at Syracuse in game seven of the year.)
- Became THE FIRST FRESHMAN to lead the MAC in tackles for a season.
- Was named second team All-MAC by the league's coaches.
- Is the only freshman in the nation to record three games with 15-plus in a game for 2009. He had 16 tackles at Central Michigan, 15 tackles versus Kent State and 15 tackles at Bowling Green.
- Ranks second among NCAA Freshmen in tackles. In addition to leading the MAC in tackles, Wagner ranks fourth in the league in fumbles recovered and 17th in interceptions.
- Not only does he lead the Zips with 132 stops, but he has 61 more tackles than the next closest on the team list (captain Mike Thomas with 71). He also is second on the team with 7.0 TFL while adding two picks, two forced fumbles (team leader), two fumbles recovered (team leader) and three pass breakups (fourth-best on the team).
- Wagner's tackles total of 132 is the most by a Zip since Nate Boyd's 140 in 1996 and he is just the seventh Zip since 1994 to have 100-plus tackles in a season
- Named Mid-American Conference East Division Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 14): Led the Zips with nine tackles - including a sack. Additionally forced two fumbles and returned an interception 32 yards for a touchdown.
- Led the Zips in tackles nine times and has had double-digit tackles eight times, getting nine on three occasions.
- In his first collegiate game - at Penn State, had nine tackles, including 0.5 for a loss, with a PBU.
- In his second game versus a Big Ten opponent in 2009 - Indiana, had 12 tackles with a PBU and fumble recovery.
- Posted 16 tackles, 10 of which were solo, at Central Michigan with an interception of Dan LeFevour (one of just five picks LeFevour has thrown in '09).
- Posted 15 tackles, 10 of which were solo, with two for losses as Akron defeated rival Kent State. His play limited KSU to just 38 yards rushing (1.8 avg.) despite the Zips allowing a 25-yard run on the first play from scrimmage.
- At Bowling Green, had his second, 15-tackle game of 2009, adding a half TFL.
Players Mentioned
DB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
WR
/ FootballDL
/ FootballLB
/ FootballDB
/ FootballOL
/ Football2026 Akron Zips Softball - Post-Game Press Conference vs. LSU - Regional Game 1
Saturday, May 16
2026 Akron Zips Softball - Selection Show Comments from Head Coach Craig Nicholson - 05.10.2026
Monday, May 11
2026 Akron Zips Softball - Selection Show Comments with Student-Athletes - Madie Jamrog & Meagan Lee
Monday, May 11
2026 Akron Zips Day of Giving (Dr. Andrew T. Goodrich) - Mid Day Message
Wednesday, April 22
