ATLANTA -- Georgia State receiver Penny Hart has capped his spectacular rookie season with selection to the Freshman All-America team announced Monday by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).
Hart, Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year and a first-team all-conference selection, led the Sun Belt in receptions (5.5 pg) and receiving yards (84.5 pg) while ranking third with eight touchdown receptions. He ranked second among all FBS freshmen in receiving yards and touchdown receptions and fourth in receptions.
The 5-8, 170-pounder from Buford, Ga., tied the Georgia State season records with 71 receptions and eight touchdown catches and set a Sun Belt freshman record with 1,099 receiving yards, the second-highest season total in GSU history.
Hart, who helped Georgia State reach its first bowl game in just its third season of FBS football, is one of three receivers tabbed by the FWAA, along with Alabama's Calvin Ridley and Middle Tennessee's Richie James.
Hart becomes the third Panther to receive any kind of All-America recognition, following placekicker Iain Vance, a third-team All-America at the FCS level in 2010, and current Kansas City Chiefs' receiver Albert Wilson, an honorable mention All-America in 2013.
