Asum Distinguished With D3football.com All-American Accolades

Minneapolis, MN --- Senior Graham Asum (Marlboro, MA) has ended his career with D3football.com All-American laurels as he was one of eight players from around New England to be recognized by the national website. 

The outstanding return specialist, who was tabbed with third-team accolades, becomes the seventh Worcester State football All-American and the first since Russ Watson was honored in 2001 by the AFCA and Don Hanson's Football Gazette.

Asum ended the campaign averaging 31.7 yards on 30 returns as the Division III Champion in kick return average while he also had the second-highest total in the nation with 952 yards. He is the only player in Division III with three kick return touchdowns for scores and he is one of four across all divisions of college football.

With his return yardage total this past season, Asum not only eclipsed the Division III New England single-campaign record, but he also shattered the New England Football Conference mark for career kick return yardage with 2,098 yards.

Asum had a pair of highlight reel performances in 2012 which included a 90-yard score to help spark the Blue and Gold to a 28-21 triumph over WPI and he established a new NCAA Division III single-game mark with 333 yards on eight kick returns with in a setback against Framingham State.

For his career, Asum equaled the Division III New England mark held by Michael Graham (Norwalk, CT) of Western New England with six kickoff returns for scores. Four of Asum's six touchdowns have been for 90 yards or better.

Asum also reset the school record for kick return average as he bested WSU Hall of Famer Kevin Gniadek's mark that led the nation in 2001 (31.4 yards per kickoff - 14 returns).

Asum also wraps up an outstanding career as a four-year starter at cornerback for the Lancers. In 39 games (32 starts), he snatched 12 picks for 149 yards and two returns for touchdowns to tie for fifth on the all-time interception list.

The only Worcester State other player to receive D3football.com All-American recognition was Watson in 2000 when he set the NCAA Division III single-season sack record with an eye-popping 24 sacks in nine games.

The Blue and Gold ended the year at 6-4 and 4-3 in the NEFC Bogan Division under the direction of 30th year head coach Brien Cullen.

2012 D3football.com All-American Team

Photos Above: Asum Participates In National Bowl Game On December 9, 2012