KANSAS CITY - Carson-Newman defensive back Desmond Fairell (Miami, Fla.), offensive lineman Phillip McDowell (Boiling Springs, S.C.) and linebacker Rondrow Peebles (Knoxville, Tenn.) have been named to D2Football.com's All-America teams.

Fairell made the first team defense while Peebles and McDowell were tabbed with honorable mention status for the defense and offensive, respectively.  This is the fourth All-America team that Fairell has made.  He's made the first team for the AFCA and D2CCA and the second team from the associated press.  Should he be named an All-American by Don Hansen's Football Gazette, he'll become Carson-Newman's ninth all-time consensus All-American.  

Andy Hibbett ('14), Kevin Day ('12), Steve Mellon ('95), Mike Clowney ('96), former Washington Redskin and Houston Texan Cedric Killings ('99), Clay Clevenger ('00), Michael Rigdon ('01) and Reggie Perkins ('03) are the other Eagles landing on five All-American teams. 

Peebles lands on his third team after garnering first team honors from the Associated Press and second team accolades from the D2CCA.  It's McDowell's second piece of postseason recognition after a second team honor from the AFCA.  

Peebles is Carson-Newman's first All-American linebacker since Jaycob Coleman garnred the honor in 2013.  

Peebles earned a pair of SAC Defensive Player of the Week awards this year.  He was Carson-Newman's leading tackler with 93 stops. 

Peebles also had 18.0 tackles for loss and 9.0 sacks.  He tallied a game-changing interception against Limestone.  Peebles was named national player of the week following his 12-tackle, 3.5-tackle for loss, 1.5-sack performance on opening night against West Florida.  The 12 tackles are one of four double-digit tackle efforts on the year.  He had 11 stops against Catawba, Newberry and Limestone.

Peebles tied Temoris Coats for the third most TFL in a single season in program history with 18.  His nine sacks are the most by a Carson-Newman linebacker in a single season.  

Fairell has put his name in the record books on Carson-Newman's all-time interceptions list. Fairell finished his Carson-Newman career with 19 career picks, that's the third most all-time.  

The seven interceptions Fairell has this year are tied for the third most for a single-season in school history. Fairell led the South Atlantic Conference in interceptions, he is eighth nationally. 

Fairell has also broken up 11 passes this year and is ninth nationally in passes defensed. 

He helmed a secondary that picked off 22 passes this season, the fifth most in a single season in school history.  

McDowell, recognized last year with All-America honors from Don Hansen's Football Gazette, becomes Carson-Newman's first two-time All-American since offensive lineman Michael Tribue was recognized in 2009 and 2010.  

McDowell has helped clear the way for an offense that ranks fifth in the country in rushing with 292.7 yards per game, 25th in scoring in 36.8 points per game and 39th in total offense at 417.3 yards per game. 

McDowell extended his school-record for knockdowns by an offensive lineman with another 44 knockdowns this year.  He has a whopping 101 for his career, more than double Robby Ignagni, the previous record holder. 

Additionally, McDowell cleared the way for a 1,000-yard rusher in his final three seasons in and orange and blue jersey.  Through his blocking, he helped Antonio Wimbush (Kingland, Ga.) become the program's third 4,000-yard rusher.  

This marks the third straight year McDowell represented Carson-Newman on the All-SAC first team.