WESSON – Copiah-Lincoln defensive lineman Demond Tucker has been named the 2013 Spalding National Junior College Athletics Association (NJCAA) Defensive Player of the Year.

Tucker, a Hazlehurst native, led the nation during the regular season with 13 sacks. After postseason play his total was third in the country. He recorded 53 tackles and made 14.5 tackles for a loss. Tucker also had one interception and one pass breakup.

The 6-foot-1 285 lb. freshman was selected as the most valuable defensive lineman in the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC). Tucker was First Team All-MACJC, First Team NJCAA All-Region 23, and First Team NJCAA All-American.

Tucker helped lead Co-Lin to a 7-2 record and a ranking of 11 in the final NJCAA Top 20 Poll.

“Demond has an unbelievable motor,” said Co-Lin head coach Glenn Davis. “He gets off blocks and he never stops working. He would work himself to the point of exhaustion sometimes. We could not be happier for him or prouder of him for receiving this prestigious award.”

Tucker will return to Co-Lin for his sophomore season with the hopes of becoming the first defensive player to repeat as winner in the award’s history.

Georgia Military running back Jovon Robinson was recognized as the 2013 Spalding NJCAA Offensive Player of the Year.