Four Tulane defensive players earn All-American Athletic Conference honors

Harris, Johnson, Lewis and Teamer each earn Second Team recognition

NEW ORLEANS – Tulane University seniors Zachery Harris, Donnie Lewis Jr., Roderic Teamer Jr. and sophomore Patrick Johnson each received Second Team All-Conference recognition from The American Athletic Conference on Wednesday as the league announced its postseason All-Conference teams.

Tulane has now had four players earn all-conference recognition in back-to-back seasons. The four all-conference honorees ties for the most since the Green Wave joined The American.

“I could not be more excited for each of these young men,” head coach Willie Fritz said. “I’m proud of our players, including our all-conference honorees, but I know we have a lot of other young men on this team, who deserved all-conference recognition.”

Each of Tulane’s all-conference honorees appeared in every game and combined to make 47 starts. Harris, Lewis and Teamer were three of eight Tulane players to start in every game this season.

Lewis was honored by the conference for the second time in his career. As a junior in 2017, the Baton Rouge native was named Honorable Mention.

As a senior in 2018, Lewis established himself as one of the league’s best cornerbacks. Lewis led The American and ranked third nationally in passes defended, averaging 1.7 per game. He also had a team-leading three interceptions and ranked fifth on the team in tackles with 54.

Harris, a New Orleans native, earned all-conference recognition after he totaled a single-season career-best 87 tackles. His 87 tackles also led the team and ranked 10th in The American. His 10.5 tackles for loss ranked second on the squad. Harris totaled 10 or more tackles in three games this season and recorded at least half a tackle for loss in 10 of the Green Wave’s 12 games in 2018 including the final eight games of the regular season.

Teamer received the all-conference nod following a senior season which saw him tie his single-season high for tackles with 67. The New Orleans native finished second on the team in tackles, had six pass breakups and one interception. Teamer finished with 10 or more tackles twice and was named AAC Defensive Player of the Week following his performance in the East Carolina game.

Johnson was named to the team following a breakout sophomore campaign where he finished with 10.0 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss and 46 tackles. His 10.0 sacks are tied for ninth nationally and are the most among all sophomores nationally. In addition, Johnson is just the third player in school history to finish with double-digit sacks.

Tulane will return to action after its bowl destination has been decided.

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