PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- Elon senior wide receiver Aaron Mellette has been named a first-team member of the 2012 The Sports Network FCS Preseason All-America Team as announced on July 9.
Mellette was a first-team All-Southern Conference selection by both the Southern Conference's coaches and media members and finished fifth in the voting for the Walter Payton Award in 2011.
The Sanford, N.C., native ended the regular season as the FCS leader in both receptions per game (10.27) and receiving yards per game (149.0). His 1,639 receiving yards established a new Elon and SoCon record, surpassing the mark of 1,633 yards set by former Phoenix standout Terrell Hudgins in 2009.
Mellette had nine 100-yard receiving games and twice went over 200 yards receiving during his junior campaign.
He began the season with an 11-catch, 180-yard performance at Vanderbilt. In a win at North Carolina Central, Mellette caught 16 passes for a career-high 237 yards. In the season finale against Appalachian State, Mellette hauled in 14 balls for 236 yards.
He made a SoCon-best 113 catches and led the league with 12 touchdown receptions. He was twice honored as the league's offensive player of the month.
In his three seasons in the maroon and gold Mellette has caught 207 passes for 2,856 yards and 26 touchdowns.
Mellette was named to seven All-America teams following his junior year. He was a first-team choice to teams announced by The Associated Press, The Sports Network/Fathead.com, the Walter Camp Football Foundation, College Sporting News, Phil Steele and College Sports Madness.
The Sports Network also presents the four major awards in the division - the Walter Payton (FCS outstanding player), the Buck Buchanan (FCS outstanding defensive player), the Jerry Rice (FCS outstanding freshman player) and the Eddie Robinson (FCS coach of the year) - after the season. In addition, TSN presents the FCS's most widely recognized weekly Top 25 poll and weekly awards honoring the nation's top offensive player, defensive player, special teams player and freshman.
Elon Sports Information Dept.