Wabash College senior defensive lineman Blair Hammer (Carmel, IN/Carmel) has been named to the d3football.com All-American First Team. The team was announced prior to the 2003 Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl.
Hammer earned the 2003 Hank Critchfield Award as the North Coast Athletic Conference's Defensive Player of the Year. He was also the only active player named to the NCAC's All-Decade Team, selected as a part of the conference's 20th anniversary by current and former coaches in the league. Hammer was a pre-season All-American selection by Street & Smith's College Football Annual. Hammer earned First Team All-Conference honors for the third consecutive year in 2003 after being named to the squad in 2001 and 2002.
Hammer spent the entire 2003 season hampered by serious injuries to both ankles, but still managed to finish with 42 tackles, 9-12/ tackles for losses totaling 45 yards, and five sacks for 36 yards. His efforts were part of a Little Giant defensive unit that led the NCAC in scoring defense, rushing defense, passing defense, and total defense. The Wabash defense was fourth in the nation in total defense, 11th in rushing defense and scoring defense, and 16th in pass defense. Hammer finished his career tied for the school record for sacks with 27-1/2, equaling the mark set by his brother, B.J. Hammer ’00.
For more information see: