Feb. 10, 2011

UMass junior linebacker Tyler Holmes was named the National Defensive Player of the Year on the FCS level according to College Football Performance Awards. Holmes has also been named the Phil Steele Magazine National Defensive Player Of the Year and ECAC Defensive Player of the Year in addition to numerous All-American accolades.

Holmes was also named a First Team All-American by the Associated Press, The Sports Network, the American Football Coaches Association and Phil Steele Magazine.

Holmes finished fifth in the Buck Buchanan Award voting for the top Defensive Player in FCS according to the media.

He also won the New England Gold Helmet Player of the Year and CAA Defensive Player of the Year.

Holmes racked up 110 tackles as he was named an AFCA All-American. He led UMass in interceptions (5), TFLs (12) and sacks (5).

Holmes was also a CAA First-Team linebacker and New England Football Writers All-Star.

Holmes set a UMass record for interceptions returned for touchdowns in a game as well as a season with two against Maine on Nov. 6. He was the first player in all of Division I (FBS and FCS) since 2008 to have two picks for TDs in the same game.

Holmes had six games with double-figure tackles this season and was named the CAA Defensive Player of the Week three times (Sept. 6, Nov. 1, Nov. 8).