RALEIGH, N.C. (12/12/2012)(readMedia)-- The accolades keep pouring in for football sensation Tyron Laughinghouse of Saint Augustine's University.
The Greenville, N.C., senior was named to the 2012 Daktronics Division II All-America first team as a return specialist on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012, by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). This comes one day after Laughinghouse made the AFCA Coaches' All-America squad.
Laughinghouse is the second player in school history to gain a spot on the Daktronics All-America team. Former star linebacker Kevin Jones, now an assistant coach on the Falcons' football staff, was a first-team selection in 2006.
Laughinghouse has been selected to three All-America teams this month. In addition to the Daktronics and AFCA honors, he was named first-team All-America kick returner and Division II National Special Teams Player of the Year by Beyond Sports Network on Dec. 5.
Laughinghouse is the NCAA Division II leader in kick return average (40.1 yards per return) and kick return touchdowns (3), which is one short of the Division II season record. Laughinghouse also ranks ninth in Division II in punt return average (15.33) with one punt return for a score this season. Teams repeatedly kicked or punted away from Laughinghouse in fear of a long return.
A 6-3, 175-pound explosive dual threat, Laughinghouse caught 59 passes for 801 yards and 12 touchdowns at wide receiver for the Falcons this season. He led the Falcons to a 6-4 overall record which is their second winning mark in three seasons. His 16 touchdowns and 96 points lead the CIAA.
This is the 10th postseason honor for Laughinghouse this season. Last week, he was named Daktronics All-Super Region 1 first team return specialist and second team wide receiver. He was the only player selected All-Super Region 1 at two positions. Last month, Laughinghouse was named CIAA Special Teams Player of the Year in addition to making the All-CIAA first team as a kick returner and wide receiver. He also made the All-CIAA second team as a punt returner.
Laughinghouse finished his career with 139 catches for 2,286 yards and 32 touchdown receptions which are all school records. He also averaged 29.3 yards per kickoff return and 13.7 yards per punt return in his four-year career. He scored six career touchdowns on special teams including three on kickoff returns and three on punt returns.