WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – After a stellar first season, Monmouth University football freshmen Tra Neal and Rodney Nelson were named to the FCS Football Central Freshman All-American Team. 
 
Neal played in all 12 games and made six starts at wide receiver during his rookie campaign. He totaled 34 receptions for 490 yards and a team-high seven touchdowns on the season. Neal caught five balls for 55 yards and recorded his first touchdown against Lafayette on September 7. He had a career-high 94 yards receiving, including a career-best 51-yard TD reception, on three catches in the victory over No. 20/18 Stony Brook on November 23. Neal also threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Jack Neri in the win over the Seawolves. He was named the CAA Rookie of the Week on November 25.
 
Nelson appeared in all 12 games and made nine starts at running back. He was the team leader with 809 rushing yards on the season on 133 carries, good for 6.1 yards per attempt. Nelson totaled six rushing touchdowns and caught 17 passes for 154 yards on the year. He earned his first start and led Monmouth with 91 yards rushing, including a 24-yard run for his first-career touchdown at Maine on September 14. Nelson racked up a career-high 128 yards rushing, including a 34-yard touchdown run against Fordham on September 28. He led Monmouth with 83 yards on 10 carries, including a 26-yard touchdown run in the win over No. 8/9 Villanova on November 16. Nelson ran for 44 yards on eight carries with two touchdowns in the win at No. 20/18 Stony Brook on November 23.