Youngstown State freshman tailback Martin Ruiz (Tampa, Fla.) and redshirt freshman free safety Jameel Smith (Miami, Fla.) were named to the Missouri Valley Football Conference's All-Newcomer Team, the league announced on Tuesday.

Last week, the conference announced that Ruiz had been honored as the Freshman and Newcomer of the Year.

Ruiz is the fifth tailback to earn all-newcomer honors by the Missouri Valley Football Conference. It marks the second consecutive season a member of the defensive backfield (Julius Childs in 2012) has been selected to the all-newcomer squad.

In his first year, Ruiz established school freshman records in carries (192), yards (1,094) and touchdowns (15). Smith started 11 games at free safety after redshirting a year ago. Of his 60 tackles, 40 came in MVFC play.

YSU finished the 2013 season with an 8-4 overall mark and a 5-3 conference record.

#26 Jameel Smith, FS, 6-0, 205, RFr., Miami, Fla. (Norland)

Played in all 12 games and started 11 contests…was fourth on the team with 60 total tackles…had four solo stops and 20 assists…finished with 40 tackles in MVFC play, including 27 solo stops…returned an interception 95 yards for a touchdown in win Indiana State…had a season-high 10 tackles against NDSU…credited with seven vs. South Dakota State and Duquesne…had five-or-more stops on seven occasions…redshirted last year.

#29 Martin Ruiz, TB, YSU, 5-11, 195, Fr., Tampa, Fla. (Robinson)
Set a school freshman records with 192 carries, 1,094 yards and 15 touchdowns…averaged 91.2 yards per game and 5.7 per carry…had four 100-yard rushing performances, three of which were in MVFC play…had a high of 199 against Western Illinois…had 131 at South Dakota and 141 at Indiana State…in league play, rushed for 831 yards on 147 attempts and scored eight touchdowns…averaged 103.9 yards per game…had 1,585 all-purpose yards (235 on 10 kickoff returns and 20 receptions for 256 yards)…scored touchdowns in nine of 12 games.