Albany State’s Gaskins named 2011 Daktronics All-American & Player of the Year Ben Baxter 12/15/11 ATLANTA— After being named 2011 Daktronics Super Region Two Defensive Player of the Year, Albany State University linebacker Jamarkus Gaskins was recently named to the 2011 Daktronics All-American Team as a first-team selection. In addition, Gaskins was named the Ron Lenz National Defensive Player of the Year. The 6-2, 200-pound senior from Tifton, GA native was a key anchor of the Golden Rams’ “Dirty Blue” defense, recording 73 tackles (42 solo) with 17.5 tackles for loss (75 yards) in 12 games. The 2011 SIAC Defensive Player of the Year finished with a league-leading 11 sacks, which currently ranks 20th in the nation. He also had five pass breakups, three fumble recoveries for 67 yards, two quarterback hurries and a forced fumble. Gaskins was the lone representative from the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) to make the 2011 Daktronics All-American Team.