Football
2/18/2025 3:06:00 PM
The Youngstown State football team placed five members on the Missouri Valley Football Conference’s star-studded 40th anniversary football team which was announced by the conference on Tuesday.
Penguins named to the 40th Anniversary team were running back Jaleel McLaughlin, running back Jamaine Cook, offensive lineman Brad Samsa, defensive lineman Mychal Savage and linebacker Tim Johnson.
RB Jaleel McLaughlin, YSU (2021-22)
A former FCS and Division II All-American, McLaughlin established a new NCAA All-Division rushing yardage career record finishing with 8,166 yards on 1,250 carries while scoring 79 touchdowns in his five-year career. In his three seasons as a Penguin, he rushed for 3,418 yards on 535 attempts and had 30 touchdowns. He was a two-time first-team All-MVFC selection while adding second-team honors as well. Prior to coming to YSU he spent two seasons at Division II Notre Dame (Ohio). At Notre Dame he was a two-time first-team Division II AFCA All-American.
In 2022, he was a first-team All-America selection by The Associated Press, Athlon Sports, FCS Stats Perform and HERO Sports and a second-team All-American recipient by the AFCA.
RB Jamaine Cook, Youngstown State (2009-12)
A three-time All-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection, Cook’s career was highlighted by a first-team nod in 2011. Cook with 4,052 yards on 811 carries in his YSU career, which still ranks in the top five in both categories. He had 20 100-yard rushing performances while scoring 39 touchdowns. At the conclusion of his career, ranked as the school-record holder in career all-purpose yards with 5,220.
LB Tim Johnson, Youngstown State (1999-00)
Johnson’s career numbers in just two seasons are a four-year player’s dream. In 27 games played, he had 401 total tackles with 197 solos and 204 assists. He had at least eight tackles in every game he played in and finished with double-figure totals in 24 contests. He averaged an astonishing 14.8 tackles per game. He had 24 tackles for losses, six sacks, 10 interceptions, 14 pass breakups and five forced fumbles. YSU won 21 of the 27 games he was with the program and reached the postseason in both of his campaigns. He started all 27 games of his impressive YSU career.
His senior season in 2000 saw him earn consensus First-Team All-America honors. He received accolades from AFCA, The Associated Press, the Football Gazette, the Walter Camp Foundation and The Sports Network.
OL Brad Samsa, Youngstown State (2005-08)
Samsa was a two-time All-American and three-time all-conference selection. He earned first-team honors as a junior and a senior. Samsa played in 43 games and started 38 contests for the red and white. He started every game in each of his final three seasons. In his career, he started at three different spots on the offensive line. He helped lead the Penguins to the NCAA FCS semifinals in 2006. Additionally, he was named to the MVFC’s Silver Anniversary team in 2009.
As a senior,he was named to the AFCA All-America squad while being a third-team All-American by The Associated Press. He was also tabbed an Honorable-Mention All-American by The Sports Network.
DL Mychal Savage, Youngstown State (2005-09)
Samsa was a two-time All-American earning first-team honors as a senior. He was a three-time first-team all-conference selection. A mainstay on the defensive front, he played in 48 games and started in 44 contests. He was credited with 161 total tackles and helped lead the Penguins to the NCAA FCS semifinals in 2006. Additionally, he was named to the MVFC’s Silver Anniversary team in 2009.
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