(Photos Michael Geib (Brewer above) and David Brinton (Sumsion below)

TIE: GARRETT BREWER and KYLE SUMSION
Kyle Sumsion was probably the best college player in the United States. He turned games around, played defense as hard as anyone, and led BYU to a Varsity Cup win. The only drawback to Sumsion was that he was so good, he was absent from part of BYU's season because he was with the USA National Team playing in the World Cup Qualifiers. 

That detracts from his contrbution to BYU, but shouldn't detract from any evaluation of his ability. Sumsion has the ability to be an Eagle for a long time, and in the crowded world of the back row, that's saying something.


Garrett Brewer entered the 2014 season with all sorts of questions. He had talent, to be sure, but what do you do with him? Do you use his size in the center, and wonder if he will distribute the ball on a team that loves to move it? Do you put him at wing or fullback and hope he gets enough touches? Head Coach Tim O'Brien did neither, installing the lanky back at flyhalf, where Brewer blossomed with the added responsibility. It wasn't about asking less of him, it was about asking more. Brewer helped St. Mary's to a DIA championship, and did so after completely changing his game.

Because we have co-winners, and one's a back and one's a forward, we have no additional Back of the Year or Forward of the Year. However, backs Seamus Kelly (Cal), Madison Hughes (Dartmouth), and Kalei Konrad (San Diego State) were also excellent candidates. For the forwards, Paris Hollis (Life), Alec Gletzer (Cal), Mike Lawrenson (Kutztown), Ben Landry (UW-Whitewater), and Jake Anderson (Life) were all in the mix.




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