July 27, 1999
Release: Upon Receipt

FURMAN'S JOHN KEITH NAMED PRE-SEASON
SOCON DEFENSIVE PLAYER-OF-THE-YEAR

ASHEVILLE, N.C.-- Furman University senior strong safety John Keith today was named pre-season Southern Conference Defensive Player-of-the-Year by the league's head coaches at the conference's annual football rouser in Asheville, N.C.

Keith, a product of Newnan, Ga., and East Coweta High School, shared the honor with East Tennessee State senior linebacker Kevin Peterson. Georgia Southern sophomore running back Adrian Peterson, meanwhile, was tabbed the Southern Conference's pre-season Offensive Player-of-the-Year.

"We are a much better football team when John Keith is on the field," said Furman head coach Bobby Johnson Tuesday afternoon. "He is a real leader and a catalyst for our defense, and we're excited about his return."

A two-year starter who will serve as a team co-captain this fall, Keith saw action in only seven games a year ago after sustaining a deep foot sprain in the Paladins' early season 34-24 win over Samford. He finished the season with 56 tackles, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery, including a career high 19-tackle performance in the Paladins' season opening loss to Clemson. The Paladin team co-captain underwent foot surgery following the '98 season and, despite sitting out spring practice due to rehabilitation, is projected to return to action when the Paladins open pre-season practice Aug. 16.

Should Keith live up to his pre-season billing as the Southern Conference's top defensive player, he will become the sixth Paladin to garner league defensive player-of-the-year honors since the league began honored both an offensive and defensive player-of-the-year beginning in 1986. Furman's previous league defensive player-of-the-year honorees include LB Jeff Blankenship (1988), DE Kelly Fletcher (1989), LB Kevin Kendrick (1990), NG Allen Edwards (1991), and DE Bryan Dailer (1997).

Furman was picked to finish fourth in the Southern Conference this fall in a poll conducted by the league sports information directors. The conference head coaches and media, meanwhile, selected the Paladins to finish fifth. Furman opens the 1999 season on Sept.4 against Elon in Greenville.