From Washington University Athletics

Washington University in St. Louis senior safety Tate Byers and senior defensive lineman Nelson Nwumeh concluded their careers by being named to the 2013D3football.com all-South Region Team, as announced by the website.

"Tate and Nelson are two very deserving players of this honor. They have been outstanding players and leaders for us during their four-year career," said Washington University head coach Larry Kindbom. "Tate and Nelson both played fast and physical. Most of our opponents have commented that these two were as good as anyone they faced during the season. As good as they were as players, however, they are even finer gentlemen off the field."

Nwumeh, a second-team all-South Region honoree, earned University Athletic Association (UAA) Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior after leading the team with 79 tackles and four forced fumbles. He was also second on the squad in pass break-ups (six), and sacks (3.5). A first-team all-UAA selection, Nwumeh is the 10th player in school history to earn UAA Defensive Player of the Year honors.

He also ranked first in conference games only in forced fumbles (two) and tackles for loss (six), and was third in sacks (two) and fourth in tackles (26). Nwumeh made a career-high 10 tackles on three occasions, and finished his four-year career with 142 tackles, 27 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. A three-time all-UAA honoree, he competed in the Fourth Annual National Bowl Game Dec. 8 in Miami.

Byers, a third-team all-South region selection, started all 11 games and was fourth on the team with 56 tackles. He led the UAA in fumbles forced (four), and was also seventh in passes defended (nine), eighth in tackles for loss (8.5) and 16th in tackles (56). Byers made a season-high 10 tackles and four pass break-ups in a 10-0 loss at No. 20 Coe College, and earned UAA Defensive Athlete of the Week Oct. 14 after registering eight tackles, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble in a 45-41 win at Hendrix College.

A first-team all-UAA honoree in 2013 and four-time all-conference selection, he concluded his four-year career with 139 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and six interceptions.

Washington U. finished the 2013 season with an 8-3 overall record and made its second NCAA playoff appearance in school history. The Bears won their 10th conference title with a 3-0 record, and ended the regular season on a seven-game winning streak.