Category Archives: FWAA All-America Team

2021 FWAA All-America team unveiled

by • FWAA All-America Team, News • Tags: ,

DALLAS – The 2021 Football Writers Association of America All-America Team, presented in partnership with the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, is headlined by seven first-teamers from the four teams competing in the College Football Playoff, nine repeat All-Americans, six first-teamers from both the Big Ten and Southeastern Conferences, six explosive wide receivers, a sensational freshman running back and a record-setting punter. There are 23 schools represented from nine Football Bowl Subdivision conferences on the first team and 37 different schools are represented on the complete 54-man team.

“The partnership between the FWAA and the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic is one we take a lot of pride in,” said Bry Patton, Chairman, Cotton Bowl Athletic Association and Cotton Bowl Foundation. “We’re honored to play a small role in celebrating the on-field accolades these student-athletes achieved this season.”

“The FWAA is proud to partner with the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic to highlight these amazing athletes, but it’s never an easy choice to whittle down the field,” said FWAA president Heather Dinich, a senior writer for ESPN.com. “What makes it so difficult is that there’s always – always – more than one deserving player at each position. This year’s combined team, though, reflects dominant seasons by both the Big Ten and the SEC, along with the Group of Five’s historic season, as a record 12 players were included.”

Alabama, the top seed in the College Football Playoff, has first-team selections and leads all schools with four on the combined team. Linebacker Will Anderson Jr., offensive lineman Evan Neal and quarterback Bryce Young made the first team with kick returner Jameson Williams on the second team. Anderson won the FWAA’s Bronko Nagurski Trophy this season, Neal is the latest Crimson Tide standout All-American on its offensive front and Young, the winner of the Maxwell Award and Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award Tuesday night, surged late with a dramatic comeback against Auburn and a record-setting performance in the SEC Championship Game. No one has averaged more yards per touch (22.6) than Williams this season, who is also a standout wide receiver.

The defensive secondary has two returning first-team All-Americans in Ahmad Gardner of Cincinnati and Kyle Hamilton of Notre Dame. Gardner is the first two-time FWAA All-American in Cincinnati history and Hamilton is the Irish’s first two-time FWAA All-American in 16 seasons (wide receiver Jeff Samardzija in 2005-06). Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, another two-time selection, moves to the first team after a second-team nod last year. Also from the secondary are App State defensive back Steven Jones Jr., the Mountaineers’ first All-American at the FBS level, and Jalen Pitre of Baylor, a second defensive first-teamer for the Bears of the last three seasons.

The four defensive linemen, collectively, may be the best group in the history of the team. Jordan Davis of Georgia, the Outland Trophy and Bednarik Award winner on the nation’s top defense, Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, a Heisman Trophy finalist, along with Thibodeaux and Iowa State’s Will McDonald IV, the Big 12’s Co-Defensive Lineman of the Year with 11.5 sacks, make up a formidable front. Nakobe Dean, the Butkus Award winner at Georgia, and Devin Lloyd of Utah join Anderson as the first-team linebackers.

Back on offense, Doak Walker Award winner Kenneth Walker III of Michigan State has been the national leader in rushing for most of the season and is on the first team along with Syracuse’s eye-catching freshman, Sean Tucker. Walker is second in the FBS in rushing at 1,636 yards (136.3 ypg) with 18 touchdowns. Tucker, a second-year player with freshman eligibility, set the Orange’s single-season rushing mark at 1,496 yards, fourth nationally, with nine 100-yard games and 14 total touchdowns. Tucker becomes the first freshman running back on the first team since Adrian Peterson of Oklahoma in 2004 and the first freshman at any skill position on the first team since Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston in 2013.

The standout wide receivers gave a menagerie of options to the FWAA voters. Ohio State gained two of the six spots. For the first time, the FWAA selected three receivers on each of its two teams and thus 12-man offensive teams. Garrett Wilson becomes a two-time All-American here after a second-team spot last year and Chris Olave is on the second unit. Pitt’s Jordan Addison, the Biletnikoff Award winner, caught more touchdowns (17) than any other player, keying the Panthers’ offensive resurgence this season. He’s on the first team and his quarterback, Kenny Pickett, leads off the second team. Purdue’s David Bell produced highlight plays that prompted two of the biggest upsets this season and earned first-team honors. Along with Olave, second-team receivers Jerreth Sterns of WKU caught 39 more passes than any other player and was the national leader in receiving yards, and Drake London of USC averaged 135.5 yards per game with seven touchdowns despite playing in only eight games due to injury.

Tyler Linderbaum of Iowa, the winner of the Rimington Trophy, returns to become a two-time All-America center, this year on the first team after a second-team nod in 2020. Ohio State lineman Nicholas Petit-Frere was the leader at the front of the nation’s top offensive team. Kentucky tackle Darian Kinnard led one of the four Joe Moore Award finalist units and Ikem Ekwonu is N.C. State’s second first-team lineman of the past four seasons.

Iowa was one of three schools (along with Georgia and Ohio State) to have three All-Americans. The Hawkeyes have linebacker Jack Campbell and defensive back Riley Moss on the second team and Georgia added offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer to the second team. Texas A&M and Iowa State have repeat members on the second team after first-team spots last year. The Aggies have players on both the second-team offensive (Kenyon Green) and defensive (DeMarvin Leal) lines, and running back Breece Hall gives Iowa State a pair of All-Americans for a second consecutive season.

Also from the second team, defensive lineman Arnold Ebiketie and defensive back Jaquan Brisker give Penn State a pair of FWAA All-Americans in the same season for the first time since 2008. Rounding out the eight schools that had a pair of honorees is punt return phenom Britain Covey at Utah, Oregon with defensive back Verone McKinley III and Baylor with offensive lineman Jacob Gall. Oklahoma State has its first defensive All-American since 2013 with linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez alongside Leo Chenal of Wisconsin on the second team. Offensive linemen Zach Tom of Wake Forest and Olusegun Oluwatimi of Virginia, along with defensive lineman Jermaine Johnson II of Florida State, were three of the ACC’s seven selections, third-best among the conferences.

Rutgers has its first FWAA All-America selection since 2006 with punter Adam Korsak on the second team as well as Missouri kicker Harrison Mevis, the Tigers’ first All-American on special teams since Jeremy Maclin in 2007.

The so-called Group of Five schools put a record 12 players on the combined team – 22 percent of the total picks – and seven on the first team including all four special teams spots and both tight ends. Houston’s Marcus Jones, the Paul Hornung Award winner, repeats as the first-team punt returner and Sincere McCormick of UTSA repeats as a second-team All-America running back. Matt Araiza of San Diego State, currently the all-time leader in FBS history with a 51.4-yard season average, is the easy choice at punter following his selection as the Ray Guy Award winner. Colorado State tight end Trey McBride is the 20th-leading receiver nationally with 1,121 yards as the first-team selection and Coastal Carolina’s Isaiah Likely on the second. McBride is the John Mackey Award winner.

Bowling Green’s field goal ace Nate Needham, 19 for 20 on field goal attempts, is the first-team kicker and USF’s Brian Battie, who had three kick return touchdowns, is the first-team kick returner and the only other freshman besides Tucker. One of the country’s interception leaders with five, second-team defensive back Ja’Quan McMillian is East Carolina’s first defensive All-American since 1991.

The Big Ten leads all conferences with 13 players on the combined teams from a spread of eight different schools, which also led all conferences. The SEC has 11 members from five different schools and the ACC had seven from six different schools. The Big 12 and Pac-12 had five members each, followed by the American Athletic (4), Mountain West (3), Conference USA and Sun Belt (2 each) and the Independents and Mid-American (1).

Many of the 2021 All-Americans had immediate impacts on their teams. Nearly one-fifth of the team – 10 of 54 players – were FWAA Freshman All-America selections earlier in their careers. Tops on that list is Anderson Jr., the 2021 Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner and the 2020 FWAA Freshman Player of the Year, and Davis, who was on the 2018 FWAA Freshman All-America team. Six of the 10 – Bell, Ekwonu, Neal, Thibodeaux, Gardner and Hamilton – are first-teamers on the 2021 list. McCormick and McKinley are second-teamers.

Of the first-team members’ home states, California led the way with four followed by Florida and North Carolina with three each. On the complete 1st-2nd teams, California and Texas tied with seven each followed by Maryland and North Carolina with four and Florida, Georgia, Indiana and Iowa with three each.

The FWAA’s All-America Committee selected this 78th annual team based on nominations from the entire membership. This is the ninth season in the modern era (post-1950) that the FWAA has named a second team. For a fifth consecutive year, the FWAA has selected a 54-man full team, but the additional wide receivers were selected in lieu of recognizing all-purpose players this season.

2021 FWAA ALL-AMERICA FIRST TEAM

OFFENSE

QBBryce Young, Alabama6-0194So.Pasadena, Cailf.
RBSean Tucker, Syracuse5-10210Fr.Owings Mills, Md.
RBKenneth Walker III, Michigan State5-10210Jr.Arlington, Tenn.
WRJordan Addison, Pitt6-0175So.Frederick, Md.
WRDavid Bell, Purdue6-2205Jr.Indianapolis, Ind.
WRGarrett Wilson, Ohio State6-0192Jr.Austin, Texas
TETrey McBride, Colorado State6-4260Sr.Fort Morgan, Colo.
OLIkem Ekwonu, N.C. State6-4320So.Charlotte, N.C.
OLDarian Kinnard, Kentucky6-5338Sr.Knoxville, Tenn.
OLEvan Neal, Alabama6-7350Jr.Okeechobee, Fla.
OLNicholas Petit-Frere, Ohio State6-5315Jr.Tampa, Fla.
CTyler Linderbaum, Iowa6-3290Jr.Solon, Iowa

DEFENSE

DLJordan Davis, Georgia6-6340Sr.Charlotte, N.C.
DLAidan Hutchinson, Michigan6-6265Sr.Plymouth, Mich.
DLWill McDonald IV, Iowa State6-4245Jr.Pewaukee, Wis.
DLKayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon6-5258So.Los Angeles, Calif.
LBWill Anderson Jr., Alabama6-4243So.Hampton, Ga.
LBNakobe Dean, Georgia6-0225Jr.Horn Lake, Miss.
LBDevin Lloyd, Utah6-3235Jr.Chula Vista, Calif.
DBAhmad Gardner, Cincinnati6-3200Jr.Detroit, Mich.
DBKyle Hamilton, Notre Dame6-4220Jr.Atlanta, Ga.
DBSteven Jones Jr., App State5-10180Sr.Rockingham, N.C.
DBJalen Pitre, Baylor6-0197Sr.Stafford, Texas

SPECIALISTS

KNate Needham, Bowling Green6-1195Sr.Chesterton, Ind.
PMatt Araiza, San Diego State6-2200Jr.San Diego, Calif.
KRBrian Battie, USF5-8165Fr.Sarasota, Fla.
PRMarcus Jones, Houston5-8185Sr.Enterprise, Ala

FIRST TEAM ONLY BREAKDOWN

By School (23): Alabama 3; Georgia 2, Ohio State 2; App State, Baylor, Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Colorado State, Houston, Iowa, Iowa State, Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan State, N.C. State, Notre Dame, Oregon, Pitt, Purdue, San Diego State, Syracuse, USF, Utah 1.

By Conference (9): Big Ten 6, SEC 6, ACC 3, American Athletic 3, Big 12 2, Mountain West 2, Pac-12 2, Independents 1, Mid-American 1, Sun Belt 1.

By Class: Juniors 12, Seniors 8, Sophomores 5, Freshmen 2.

By Home State (14): California 4, Florida 3, North Carolina 3, Georgia 2, Indiana 2, Maryland 2, Michigan 2, Tennessee 2, Texas 2, Alabama 1, Colorado 1, Iowa 1, Mississippi 1, Wisconsin 1.

2021 FWAA ALL-AMERICA SECOND TEAM

Offense: QB Kenny Pickett, Pitt; RB Breece Hall, Iowa State; RB Sincere McCormick, UTSA; WR Drake London, USC; WR Chris Olave, Ohio State; WR Jerreth Sterns, WKU; TE Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina; OL Jacob Gall, Baylor; OL Kenyon Green, Texas A&M; OL Jamaree Salyer, Georgia; OL Zach Tom, Wake Forest; C Olusegun Oluwatimi, Virginia.

Defense: DL Arnold Ebiketie, Penn State; DL Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State; DL DeMarvin Leal, Texas A&M; DL Cameron Thomas, San Diego State; LB Jack Campbell, Iowa; LB Leo Chenal, Wisconsin; LB Malcolm Rodriguez, Oklahoma State; DB Jaquan Brisker, Penn State; DB Verone McKinley III, Oregon; DB Ja’Quan McMillian, East Carolina; DB Riley Moss, Iowa.

Specialists: K Harrison Mevis, Missouri; P Adam Korsak, Rutgers; KR Jameson Williams, Alabama; PR Britain Covey, Utah.

COMBINED FIRST AND SECOND TEAM BREAKDOWN

By School: Alabama 4; Georgia 3, Iowa 3, Ohio State 3; Baylor 2, Iowa State 2, Oregon 2, Penn State 2, Pitt 2, San Diego State 2, Texas A&M 2, Utah 2; App State, Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Coastal Carolina, Colorado State, East Carolina, Florida State, Houston, Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan State, Missouri, N.C. State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma State, Purdue, Rutgers, Syracuse, USC, USF, UTSA, Virginia, Wake Forest, WKU, Wisconsin 1.

By Conference (10): Big Ten 13, SEC 11, ACC 7, Big 12 5, Pac-12 5, American Athletic 4, Mountain West 3, Conference USA 2, Sun Belt 2, Independents 1, Mid-American 1.

By Class: Juniors 24, Seniors/Graduates 20, Sophomores 8, Freshmen 2.

By Home State (24): California 7, Texas 7, Maryland 4, North Carolina 4, Florida 3, Georgia 3, Indiana 3, Iowa 3, Michigan 2, Tennessee 2, Wisconsin 2, Alabama 1, Colorado 1, Kansas 1, Louisiana 1, Massachusetts 1, Minnesota 1, Mississippi 1, Missouri 1, New Jersey 1, Ohio 1, Oklahoma 1, Pennsylvania 1, Utah 1. (Australia 1).

The FWAA All-America Team was first selected in 1944, three years after the organization was formed. The FWAA’s inaugural team included Army’s Heisman Trophy tandem of Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis and Georgia Tech’s Frank Broyles, who later became Arkansas’ head football coach and athletic director.

Since 1945, the FWAA All-America Team has been among the five teams used to formulate the NCAA’s annual consensus All-America team, which will be announced later this week. Since the 2002 season, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), The Associated Press, The Sporting News and the Walter Camp Football Foundation have joined the FWAA as the five designated selectors by the NCAA.

Over the years, the FWAA team has highlighted all the game’s great players in several media forums. From 1946-70, LOOK magazine published the FWAA team and brought players and selected writers to New York City for a celebration. During that 25-year period, the FWAA team was introduced on national television shows by such noted hosts as Bob Hope, Steve Allen and Perry Como.

After LOOK folded, the FWAA started a long association with NCAA Films (later known as NCAA Productions), which produced a 30-minute television program. The team was part of ABC-TV’s 1981 College Football Series. From 1983-90, the team was introduced on either ABC or ESPN. In 2002 and ‘03, the All-America team was honored with a banquet at the Citrus Bowl.

The same bowl also was a sponsor when the team was featured on ABC and ESPN from different locations on Disney properties from 2004-07. From 2008-10, the team had been the subject of a one-hour ESPN special.

For seven decades the FWAA has selected an All-America team with the help of its members and an All-America Committee, which represents all the regions in the country. From that All-America team, the FWAA also selects the Outland Trophy winner (best interior lineman) and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner (best defensive player).

Some of the true greats of the writing profession have helped to select this team over the years: Grantland Rice, Bert McGrane, Blackie Sherrod, Furman Bisher, Pat Harmon, Fred Russell, Edwin Pope, Murray Olderman, Paul Zimmerman – and the list goes on and on. The FWAA All-America team is steeped in tradition and history and is selected by a writers’ group with those same attributes.

Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of journalists, broadcasters, publicists, photographers and key executives in all areas of college football. The FWAA works to govern media access and gameday operations while presenting awards and honors, including an annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its programs and initiatives, contact Executive Director Steve Richardson at 214-870-6516 or tiger@fwaa.com.

The Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic will play host to a College Football Playoff semifinal when No. 4 Cincinnati takes on No. 1 Alabama at AT&T Stadium on Friday, Dec. 31 at 3:30 p.m. ET. The 86th Goodyear Cotton Bowl is the 13th Classic to be played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and the third national semifinal.

2021 FWAA All-America Committee: Andrea Adelson, ESPN.com; Evan Barnes, Memphis Commercial Appeal; Kirk Bohls, Austin American-Statesman; Travis L. Brown, Bryan-College Station Eagle; Ken Capps, TexasFootball.com; Brett Ciancia, Pick Six Previews; Angelique Chengelis, Detroit News; Scott Dochterman, The Athletic; Scott Farrell, collegepressbox; Bryan Fischer, Athlon Sports; John Hoover, SI.com; Shehan Jeyarajah, CBS Sports; Nate Mink, Syracuse Post-Standard; Tony Siracusa, Last Word on College Football; Phil Steele, Phil Steele Publications; David Ubben, The Athletic; Chris Vannini, The Athletic; John Wagner, Toledo Blade.

Related links:
• Printable roster (.pdf)
• All-Time FWAA All-America Teams (.pdf)
• Download the FWAA All-America Team logos and social media graphics

The FWAA All-America Team was first selected in 1944, three years after the organization was formed. The FWAA’s inaugural team included Army’s Heisman Trophy tandem of Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis and Georgia Tech’s Frank Broyles, who later became Arkansas’ head football coach and athletic director.

Since 1945, the FWAA All-America Team has been among the five teams used to formulate the NCAA’s annual consensus All-America team, which will be announced later this week. Since the 2002 season, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), The Associated Press, The Sporting News and the Walter Camp Football Foundation have joined the FWAA as the five designated selectors by the NCAA.

Over the years, the FWAA team has highlighted all the game’s great players in several media forums. From 1946-70, LOOK magazine published the FWAA team and brought players and selected writers to New York City for a celebration. During that 25-year period, the FWAA team was introduced on national television shows by such noted hosts as Bob Hope, Steve Allen and Perry Como.

After LOOK folded, the FWAA started a long association with NCAA Films (later known as NCAA Productions), which produced a 30-minute television program. The team was part of ABC-TV’s 1981 College Football Series. From 1983-90, the team was introduced on either ABC or ESPN. In 2002 and ‘03, the All-America team was honored with a banquet at the Citrus Bowl.

The same bowl also was a sponsor when the team was featured on ABC and ESPN from different locations on Disney properties from 2004-07. From 2008-10, the team had been the subject of a one-hour ESPN special.

For seven decades the FWAA has selected an All-America team with the help of its members and an All-America Committee, which represents all the regions in the country. From that All-America team, the FWAA also selects the Outland Trophy winner (best interior lineman) and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner (best defensive player).

Some of the true greats of the writing profession have helped to select this team over the years: Grantland Rice, Bert McGrane, Blackie Sherrod, Furman Bisher, Pat Harmon, Fred Russell, Edwin Pope, Murray Olderman, Paul Zimmerman – and the list goes on and on. The FWAA All-America team is steeped in tradition and history and is selected by a writers’ group with those same attributes.

Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of journalists, broadcasters, publicists, photographers and key executives in all areas of college football. The FWAA works to govern media access and gameday operations while presenting awards and honors, including an annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its programs and initiatives, contact Executive Director Steve Richardson at 214-870-6516 or tiger@fwaa.com.

The Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic will play host to a College Football Playoff semifinal when No. 4 Cincinnati takes on No. 1 Alabama at AT&T Stadium on Friday, Dec. 31 at 3:30 p.m. ET. The 86th Goodyear Cotton Bowl is the 13th Classic to be played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and the third national semifinal.

2021 FWAA All-America Committee: Andrea Adelson, ESPN.com; Evan Barnes, Memphis Commercial Appeal; Kirk Bohls, Austin American-Statesman; Travis L. Brown, Bryan-College Station Eagle; Ken Capps, TexasFootball.com; Brett Ciancia, Pick Six Previews; Angelique Chengelis, Detroit News; Scott Dochterman, The Athletic; Scott Farrell, collegepressbox; Bryan Fischer, Athlon Sports; John Hoover, SI.com; Shehan Jeyarajah, CBS Sports; Nate Mink, Syracuse Post-Standard; Tony Siracusa, Last Word on College Football; Phil Steele, Phil Steele Publications; David Ubben, The Athletic; Chris Vannini, The Athletic; John Wagner, Toledo Blade.

2020 FWAA All-America Team unveiled

by • Awards, FWAA All-America Team, News • Tags: ,

DALLAS – The 2020 Football Writers Association of America All-America Team, presented in partnership with the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, is headlined by five players from Alabama on the first team and more than half the first team coming from the Atlantic Coast and Southeastern Conferences. There are 19 schools represented from eight Football Bowl Subdivision conferences on the first team, including 10 players who are competing the College Football Playoff later this week.

The Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic is presenting the All-America Team as part of what has been a season-long campaign to promote the 76-year history of this prestigious honor. Each All-American will receive a commemorative football and the first-team selections will be presented with a custom All-America watch.

“Serving in the role of presenting sponsor of the FWAA’s prestigious All-America team is the perfect for the both of us,” said Bry Patton, the chairman of the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association and Cotton Bowl Foundation. “The Goodyear Cotton Bowl and the nation’s writers and broadcasters have shared a lot of special moments over eight decades. We are proud of this relationship and look forward to doing our part in promoting these deserving student-athletes.”

Since 1945, the FWAA team has been among the five used in the NCAA’s selection of an annual consensus All-America team in college football. Since the 2002 season, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), The Associated Press, The Sporting News and the Walter Camp Football Foundation have joined the FWAA as the five designated selectors by the NCAA.

Alabama has four players on the first-team offense – wide receiver DeVonta Smith, running back Najee Harris, center Landon Dickerson and Outland Trophy finalist offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood – marking the first time since the FWAA All-America team broke into specialized backfield positions in 1967 for one school to post four players on either side of the ball. Add in defensive back Patrick Surtain II, and only two other teams have ever placed five or more players on the first team as the Crimson Tide match their 2011 national title team with five, leaving the six from Oklahoma’s 2003 BCS-runner-up squad still holding the FWAA record.

The Crimson Tide’s six players on the combined first and second teams tie that 2003 Oklahoma team and Army’s 1946 team as the most for one team in one season.

Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne make their first-team debuts on the 2020 squad and the four College Football Playoff teams occupy 10 of the 27 first-team slots. Etienne was selected as the all-purpose player after earning second-team running back spots the past two seasons. Clemson’s opponent, Ohio State, has guard Wyatt Davis back on the offensive line after a second-team spot last year – Etienne and Davis are the only repeat members from the combined 2019 All-America team with no first-teamers back on the 2020 squad.

Notre Dame’s three selections are second only to national semifinal foe Alabama. Outland Trophy finalist offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg joins Butkus Award winner Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and safety Kyle Hamilton. Clemson and Notre Dame claim five of the ACC’s conference-best eight first-teamers that also has kicker Jose Borregales of Miami (Fla.) and Pressley Harvin III of Georgia Tech at punter. The other ACC spot came from Pitt defensive lineman Rashad Weaver.

The SEC commands the first-team offense with six of 11 members that includes Florida tight end Kyle Pitts and Texas A&M offensive lineman Kenyon Green added to Alabama’s players. Surtain was the SEC’s only first-team defensive selection.

Iowa State was the only program not in the College Football Playoff to place two on the first team with Breece Hall, who led the nation in rushing during the regular season, at running back along with defensive lineman JaQuan Bailey. It’s the first time for Iowa State to have two All-Americans in the same season. No one caught more touchdown passes than wide receiver Jaelon Darden, who completes the first-team offense as the first North Texas player to ever earn first-team All-America status.

Linebacker Zaven Collins, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner, headlines the defense as Tulsa’s first All-America pick since 1991. Defensive lineman Tarron Jackson is Coastal Carolina’s first selection and joins Outland Trophy finalist Daviyon Nixon of Iowa at the front of the defense. Linebacker Joseph Ossai is Texas’ first honoree since 2017, Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad Gardner is only his school’s second All-American on defense and Indiana cornerback Tiawan Mullen is the Hoosiers’ first selection to play defense and its first of any kind since 2015.

The two return specialists were Boise State’s Avery Williams on kickoffs and Houston’s Marcus Jones on punts. Williams is only the third first-teamer in Boise State history and Jones gives The American Athletic Conference three first-teamers in a single season for the first time in its history.

On the second team is quarterback Mac Jones, who completes Alabama’s tie for the FWAA’s single-season honoree record, and an Ohio State duo in wide receiver Garrett Wilson and safety Shaun Wade. BYU offensive lineman Brady Christiansen becomes the Cougars’ first All-American since 2001. Two 1,000-yard rushers earned spots – UTSA’s Sincere McCormick is the first honoree in his program’s history and Buffalo’s Jaret Patterson, along with offensive lineman Kayode Awosika are Buffalo’s first selections since 2013 and its first on offense.

The Pac-12 has two second-team honorees with Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux on the defensive line and Colorado linebacker Nate Landman. Also on the second team is defensive back Greg Newsome of Northwestern, the Wildcats’ first selection since 2012 and its first on defense since now-head coach Pat Fitzgerald was a two-time linebacker honoree in 1995-96. Patrick Johnson, the national sack leader in the regular season, is Tulane’s first All-American since 2012 and its first on defense. West Virginia was one of nine schools to have at least two honorees with its pair of defenders in lineman Darius Stills and safety Tykee Smith. Marshall linebacker Tavante Beckett is his school’s first selection since 2011 and Trevon Moehrig gives TCU a selection in the secondary in back-to-back seasons. Miami defensive lineman Jaelen Phillips gives the Hurricanes a pair of honorees on the combined team for the first time since 2003.

The combined 54-man teams represent 39 schools from all 10 FBS conferences plus one independent and hail from half the country – their hometowns are in 26 states led by nine from Texas, eight from Florida and six from California. It is heavily-laden with seniors, who occupy almost half (23) the spots, followed by 19 juniors and 12 sophomores. There are no freshmen on the combined team.

The FWAA’s All-America Committee selected this 77th annual team based on nominations from the entire membership. This is just the eighth season in the modern era (post-1950) that the FWAA has named a second team. The FWAA also selected an all-purpose player for a fourth consecutive year, which made for a 54-man full team.

2020 FWAA ALL-AMERICA FIRST TEAM

OFFENSE
QB Trevor Lawrence, Clemson 6-6 220 Jr. Cartersville, Ga.
RB Breece Hall, Iowa State 6-1 215 So. Wichita, Kan.
RB Najee Harris, Alabama 6-2 230 Sr. Antioch, Calif.
WR Jaelon Darden, North Texas 5-9 174 Sr. Houston, Texas
WR DeVonta Smith, Alabama 6-1 175 Sr. Amite, La.
TE Kyle Pitts, Florida 6-6 240 Jr. Philadelphia, Pa.
OL Wyatt Davis, Ohio State 6-4 315 Jr. Bellflower, Calif.
OL Liam Eichenberg, Notre Dame 6-6 302 Gr. Cleveland, Ohio
OL Kenyon Green, Texas A&M 6-4 325 So. Humble, Texas
OL Alex Leatherwood, Alabama 6-6 312 Sr. Pensacola, Fla.
C Landon Dickerson, Alabama 6-6 325 Sr. Hickory, N.C.

DEFENSE
DL JaQuan Bailey, Iowa State 6-2 261 Sr. Jacksonville, Fla.
DL Tarron Jackson, Coastal Carolina 6-2 260 Sr. Aiken, S.C.
DL Daviyon Nixon, Iowa 6-3 305 Jr. Kenosha, Wis.
DL Rashad Weaver, Pitt 6-5 270 Sr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
LB Zaven Collins, Tulsa 6-4 260 Jr. Hominy, Okla.
LB Joseph Ossai, Texas 6-4 253 Jr. Conroe, Texas
LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame 6-1 215 Sr. Hampton, Va.
DB Ahmad Gardner, Cincinnati 6-2 188 So. Detroit, Mich.
DB Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame 6-4 219 So. Atlanta, Ga.
DB Tiawan Mullen, Indiana 5-10 176 So. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
DB Patrick Surtain II, Alabama 6-2 202 Jr. Plantation, Fla.

SPECIALISTS
K Jose Borregales, Miami 5-10 205 Sr. Miami, Fla.
P Pressley Harvin III, Georgia Tech 6-0 255 Sr. Alcolu, S.C.
KR Avery Williams, Boise State 5-9 195 Sr. Pasadena, Calif.
PR Marcus Jones, Houston 5-8 185 Jr. Enterprise, Ala.
AP Travis Etienne, Clemson 5-10 205 Sr. Jennings, La.

First Team Only Breakdown

Combined by School (19): Alabama 5, Notre Dame 3, Clemson 2, Iowa State 2, Boise State, Cincinnati, Coastal Carolina, Florida, Georgia Tech, Houston, Indiana, Iowa, Miami, North Texas, Ohio State, Pitt, Texas, Texas A&M, Tulsa.

By Conference (8): ACC 8, SEC 7, American Athletic 3, Big 12 3, Big Ten 3, Conference USA 1, Mountain West 1, Sun Belt 1.

By Class: Senior/Graduate 14, Junior 8, Sophomore 5.

By Home State (15): Florida 6, California 3, Texas 3, Georgia 2, Louisiana 2, South Carolina 2, Alabama, Kansas, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Wisconsin.

2010 FWAA All-America Second Team

Offense: QB Mac Jones, Alabama; RB Sincere McCormick, UTSA; RB Jaret Patterson, Buffalo; WR Jonathan Adams, Arkansas State; WR Garrett Wilson, Ohio State; TE Hunter Long, Boston College; OL Kayode Awosika, Buffalo; OL Brady Christiansen, BYU; OL Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech; OL Trey Smith, Tennessee; C Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa.

Defense: DL Patrick Johnson, Tulane; DL Jaelan Phillips, Miami; DL Darius Stills, West Virginia; DL Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon; LB Tavante Beckett, Marshall; LB Nick Bolton, Missouri; LB Nate Landman, Colorado; DB Trevon Moehrig, TCU; DB Greg Newsome, Northwestern; DB Tykee Smith, West Virginia; DB Shaun Wade, Ohio State.

Specialists: K Cade York, LSU; P Jake Camarda, Georgia; KR Chris Smith, Louisiana; PR Jeremiah Haydel, Texas State; AP Dwayne Eskridge, Western Michigan.

Combined First- and Second-Team Breakdown

By School (39): Alabama 6, Notre Dame 3, Ohio State 3, Buffalo 2, Clemson 2, Iowa 2, Iowa State 2, Miami 2, West Virginia 2, Arkansas State, Boise State, Boston College, BYU, Cincinnati, Coastal Carolina, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Houston, Indiana, Louisiana, LSU, Marshall, Missouri, North Texas, Northwestern, Oregon, Pitt, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, TCU, Texas State, Tulane, Tulsa, UTSA, Virginia Tech, Western Michigan.

By Conference (10): SEC 12, ACC 11, Big Ten 7, Big 12 6, American Athletic 4, Sun Belt 4, Conference USA 3, Mid-American 3, Pac-12 2, Mountain West 1, Independents 1.

By Class: Senior/Graduate 23, Junior 19, Sophomore 12.

By Home State (26): Texas 9, Florida 8, California 6, Georgia 3, Louisiana 2, Maryland 2, Pennsylvania 2, South Carolina 2, Tennessee 2, Virginia 2, Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin.

FWAA All-America Teams Since 1944

Since 1945, the FWAA All-America Team has been among the five teams used to formulate the NCAA’s annual consensus All-America team, which will be announced later this week. Since the 2002 season, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), The Associated Press, The Sporting News and the Walter Camp Football Foundation have joined the FWAA as the five designated selectors by the NCAA.

The FWAA All-America Team was first selected in 1944, three years after the organization was formed. The FWAA’s inaugural team included Army’s Heisman Trophy tandem of Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis and Georgia Tech’s Frank Broyles, who later became Arkansas’ head football coach and athletic director.

Over the years, the FWAA team has highlighted all the game’s great players in several media forums. From 1946-70, LOOK magazine published the FWAA team and brought players and selected writers to New York City for a celebration. During that 25-year period, the FWAA team was introduced on national television shows by such noted hosts as Bob Hope, Steve Allen and Perry Como.

After LOOK folded, the FWAA started a long association with NCAA Films (later known as NCAA Productions), which produced a 30-minute television program. The team was part of ABC-TV’s 1981 College Football Series. From 1983-90, the team was introduced on either ABC or ESPN. In 2002 and ‘03, the All-America team was honored with a banquet at the Citrus Bowl.

The same bowl also was a sponsor when the team was featured on ABC and ESPN from different locations on Disney properties from 2004-07. From 2008-10, the team had been the subject of a one-hour ESPN special.

For seven decades the FWAA has selected an All-America team with the help of its members and an All-America Committee, which represents all the regions in the country. From that All-America team, the FWAA also selects the Outland Trophy winner (best interior lineman) and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner (best defensive player).

Some of the true greats of the writing profession have helped to select this team over the years: Grantland Rice, Bert McGrane, Blackie Sherrod, Furman Bisher, Pat Harmon, Fred Russell, Edwin Pope, Murray Olderman, Paul Zimmerman – and the list goes on and on. The FWAA All-America team is steeped in tradition and history and is selected by a writers’ group with those same attributes.

The Football Writers Association of America, a non-profit organization founded in 1941, consists of more than 1,400 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game day operations, major awards and its annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its award programs, contact Steve Richardson at tiger@fwaa.com or call 214-870-6516.

2020 FWAA All-America Committee: Andrea Adelson, ESPN.com; Kirk Bohls, Austin American-Statesman; Travis Brown, Bryan-College Station Eagle; Ken Capps, TexasFootball.com; Brett Cianci, Pick Six Previews; Scott Dochterman, The Athletic; Scott Farrell, collegepressbox.com; Bryan Fischer, Athlon Sports; Clay Henry, Hawgs Illustrated; John Hoover, SI Now: All Sooners; Adam Hunsucker, Monroe News-Star; Shehan Jeyarajah, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football; Barrett Jones, ESPN; Doug Lesmerises, Cleveland.com; Nate Mink, Syracuse.com; Tony Siracusa, Last Word on College Football; Phil Steele, Phil Steele Publications; David Ubben, The Athletic; Chris Vannini, The Athletic; John Wagner, Toledo Blade (retired).

Related links:
• All-Time FWAA All-America Teams (.pdf)
• Download the FWAA All-America logo

 

 

 

2019 FWAA All-America Team unveiled

by • Awards, FWAA All-America Team • Tags: ,

76th annual team is presented by Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic

DALLAS — The Football Writers Association of America, in partnership with the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, is proud to announce its 2019 All-America Team, headlined by 12 players from the Big Ten Conference – nine of them on the first team – and 11 from the Southeastern Conference that includes Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Joe Burrow of LSU.

Fifty-four standout players were selected to two teams by the association’s All-America committee after voting from the entire membership. Since 2013, the FWAA has named a second team. Overall, there are 35 schools represented from eight Football Bowl Subdivision conferences, including 14 players who are competing in the College Football Playoff and three repeat selections.

The Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic is presenting the All-America Team as part of what has been a season-long campaign to promote the 75-year history of this prestigious honor. Each All-American will receive a commemorative football and the first-team selections will be presented with a custom All-America watch.

“We are honored to partner with the FWAA to recognize the very best athletes at their respective positions in our game,” said Rick Baker, Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic President/CEO. “These young men join a remarkable fraternity of college football greats before them, and now their names and accomplishments will forever be marked in history.”

Since 1945, the FWAA team has been among the five used in the NCAA’s selection of an annual consensus All-America team in college football. Since the 2002 season, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), The Associated Press, The Sporting News and the Walter Camp Football Foundation have joined the FWAA as the five designated selectors by the NCAA.

The top two teams in the College Football Playoff – Ohio State (5) and LSU (4) – lead all programs on the combined first and second teams. The Buckeyes tied for the national-high with three first-team members led by the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Bednarik Award winner, defensive end Chase Young, along with defensive back Jeff Okudah and running back J.K. Dobbins, who was selected as an all-purpose player. Quarterback Justin Fields and offensive lineman Wyatt Davis are on the second team. LSU’s Burrow, who set multiple SEC passing records and is on pace to break more, is the first-team quarterback along with his main target, Biletnikoff Award-winning wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Burrow also won the Maxwell, Davey O’Brien and Walter Camp Awards, and joins offensive lineman Lloyd Cushenberry III and defensive back Derek Stingley Jr., who are second-team members.

Stingley is one of three freshmen on the team as part of 34 underclassmen. There are 19 seniors and 19 juniors on the roster along with one graduate student. Earning their second All-America honors from the FWAA are running backs Jonathan Taylor of Wisconsin (first team in 2018 as well) and Travis Etienne of Clemson (second team both seasons) and offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton of Oregon (second team both seasons). The conference breakdown is: Big Ten (12), SEC (11), Big 12 and Pac-12 (9), ACC (8), Conference USA (2), Mountain West (2) and American Athletic (1). There are 11 players from Texas – seven on the first team – and five each from Florida and Louisiana.

It has been a big year for the Big Ten and its nine first-team members. Wisconsin ties Ohio State for the most first-teamers with three, highlighted by Taylor, the school’s career rushing record-holder and two-time Doak Walker Award winner, center Tyler Biadasz, the Rimington Trophy winner, and linebacker Zach Baun, one of the national leaders in tackles for loss. Wisconsin closes the decade having had an All-American in nine of 10 seasons, a string that began with offensive tackle Gabe Carimi winning the Outland Trophy in 2010. Ohio State’s five players are the most it has ever placed on an FWAA All-America team and the Buckeyes placed three on the first team for the first time since 2002. Their first-team trio ties four other seasons behind only the 1944 team’s four members for the most first-teamers in school history. Ohio State has had at least one FWAA All-America player in six of the last seven seasons.

Minnesota’s Winfield Jr. is the Gophers’ first All-American since 2014 and only their second since two-time All-America center Greg Eslinger won the Outland Trophy in 2005. He is Minnesota’s first All-America defensive back since 1999. Iowa offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs and kicker Keith Duncan give the Hawkeyes All-Americans in seven consecutive seasons and marks the second time in three seasons for them to have two first-teamers. Penn State, which takes on Memphis in this year’s Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at Noon ET on Dec. 28 on ESPN, completes the Big Ten field with linebacker Micah Parsons on the second team.

LSU’s four All-Americans mark its highest total ever and, with Burrow and Chase on the first team, this is the 10th time for the Tigers to have at least two first-teamers in a season. LSU has had at least one All-American in three of the last four seasons. Georgia, with J.R. Reed in the secondary and Outland Trophy semifinalist Andrew Thomas on the offensive line, placed two on the first team for only the third time in its history and has now had an All-American in three straight seasons.

Kentucky, with Ray Guy Award winner Max Duffy on the first team, now has back-to-back first-teamers for the first time since 1949-50. Linebacker Josh Allen was the 2018 Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner and Bob Gain was a two-time All-America offensive tackle selection (1949-50) and the 1950 Outland Trophy winner. The Wildcats also have offensive lineman Logan Stenberg on the second team. Alabama punt returner Jaylen Waddle earned the Crimson Tide a first-team selection for a 12th consecutive season. Auburn’s Derrick Brown is the Tigers’ first first-team selection since 2016 and Florida defensive back C.J. Henderson is Florida’s first All-American since 2016.

The Big 12 tied the Pac-12 with nine selections but has the best distribution among all the conferences, as seven of its 10 schools are represented on the combined team. Oklahoma extended its All-America streak to six years and has had at least one first-teamer (wide receiver CeeDee Lamb this season) in four consecutive years. Sophomore center Creed Humphrey is on the second team. Oklahoma State running back Chuba Hubbard gives the Cowboys an eighth first-teamer this decade and 10th in the last 12 seasons. Baylor and TCU have their first All-Americans since 2015; Baylor’s James Lynch is the Bears’ third defensive All-America player since 1991, and this is only the third time (2015, 1955) for TCU to have two All-Americans (Jeff Gladney and Jalen Reagor) in the same season.

Utah defensive linemen Bradlee Anae marks the third time in the last four seasons that the Utes have had a defensive player on the first team and four of the last six, and also has defensive lineman Leki Fotu on the second team. Prior to 2014, Utah had only two All-Americans on defense. The Utes have had an All-American in five consecutive seasons with a Pac-12-high three this season with running back Zack Moss on the second unit. Oregon ends the decade with two All-America picks from its offensive line, Outland Trophy winner Penei Sewell and two-time selection Throckmorton. Evan Weaver is Cal’s first All-American since 2006 and the Bears’ fourth since 2000.

Clemson now has a first-team selection in five straight seasons with offensive lineman John Simpson and Butkus Award winner Isaiah Simmons making this year’s top unit; it’s the ninth time this decade for the Tigers to have an All-American and the fifth time for the Tigers to have two first-team selections. Virginia kick returner Joe Reed is the Cavaliers’ first first-team selection since 2007 but the program’s third straight All-America pick after only having two this century prior to 2016.

Tight end Harrison Bryant earned Florida Atlantic’s first All-America selection and the John Mackey Award winner is Conference USA’s sixth this decade. Louisiana Tech didn’t have its first All-America selection until 1992 but now has two in successive seasons as defensive back Amik Roberston becomes the Bulldogs’ fifth All-American.

Among the other second team members, James Proche reset SMU’s career receiving record books this season and becomes the Mustangs’ first All-American since running back Reggie Dupard in 1985. Boise State defensive lineman Curtis Weaver becomes the Broncos’ fourth All-American and first since 2015. San Diego State earned its fourth All-America nod this century and seventh overall as Luq Barcoo becomes the Aztecs’ first defensive player to be so honored.

Kansas State has had only 14 All-Americans but has a current string of three in a row. Three of the last four have been return specialists, including Joshua Youngblood this season. Iowa State tight end Charlie Kolar is the Cyclones’ second All-American in the past three seasons and is Iowa State’s seventh all-time honoree. Texas Tech has had an All-American in consecutive seasons for a fifth time now with linebacker Jordyn Brooks.

Pitt defensive lineman Jaylen Twyman is the Panthers’ first defensive All-American since Aaron Donald won the Outland Trophy and Bronko Nagurski Trophy in 2013. Miami’s Greg Rousseau is the Hurricanes’ second All-American since 2005. Wake Forest has back-to-back All-America selections for the first time as kicker Nick Sciba earned this year’s nod, and punt returner Greg Dortsch earned it in 2018. Syracuse has had an All-American in three consecutive seasons thanks to its special teams; it has punter Sterling Hofrichter this year after placing kicker Andre Szmyt on the 2018 first team.

Michael Pittman Jr. is USC’s first All-American since a three-year run from 2014-16 and only the Trojans’ fourth choice this decade. Hamilcar Rashed is Oregon State’s sixth All-American and first since 2013. Brandon Aiyuk gives Arizona State an All-America selection in three of the last four seasons. Prior to that string, no Sun Devil had earned the honor since defensive end Terrell Suggs won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy in 2002.

2019 FWAA ALL-AMERICA FIRST TEAM

OFFENSE
QB Joe Burrow, LSU (6-4, 216, Sr., Athens, Ohio)
RB Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State (6-1, 207, So., Sherwood Park, Alberta)
RB Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin (5-11, 219, Jr., Salem, N.J.)
WR Ja’Marr Chase, LSU (6-1, 200, So., Metairie, La.)
WR CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma (6-2, 189, Jr., Richmond, Texas)
TE Harrison Bryant, Florida Atlantic (6-5, 240, Sr., Gray, Ga.)
OL Penei Sewell, Oregon (6-6, 325, So., Malaeimi, American Samoa)
OL John Simpson, Clemson (6-4, 330, Sr., North Charleston, S.C.)
OL Andrew Thomas, Georgia (6-5, 320, Jr., Lithonia, Ga.)
OL Tristan Wirfs, Iowa (6-5, 322, Jr., Mount Vernon, Iowa)
C Tyler Biadasz, Wisconsin (6-3, 321, Jr., Amherst, Wis.)

DEFENSE
DL Bradlee Anae, Utah (6-3, 265, Sr., Laie, Hawaii)
DL Derrick Brown, Auburn (6-5, 318, Sr., Sugar Hill, Ga.)
DL James Lynch, Baylor (6-4, 295, Jr., Round Rock, Texas)
DL Chase Young, Ohio State (6-5, 265, Jr., Upper Marlboro, Md.)
LB Zack Baun, Wisconsin (6-3, 235, Sr., Brown Deer, Wis.)
LB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson (6-4, 230, Jr., Olathe, Kan.)
LB Evan Weaver, California (6-3, 235, Sr., Spokane, Wash.)
DB Jeff Okudah, Ohio State (6-1, 200, Jr., Grand Prairie, Texas)
DB J.R. Reed, Georgia (6-1, 194, Gr., Frisco, Texas)
DB Amik Robertson, Louisiana Tech (5-9, 183, Jr., Thibodaux, La.)
DB Antoine Winfield Jr., Minnesota (5-10, 205, So., The Woodlands, Texas)

SPECIALISTS
K Keith Duncan, Iowa (5-10, 180, Jr., Weddington, N.C.)
P Max Duffy, Kentucky (6-1, 194, Jr., Perth, Australia)
KR Joe Reed, Virginia (6-3, 215, Sr., Charlotte Court House, Va.)
PR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama (5-10, 182, So., Houston, Texas)
AP J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State (5-10, 217, Jr., La Grange, Texas)

2019 FWAA ALL-AMERICA SECOND TEAM

Offense: QB Justin Fields, Ohio State; RB Travis Etienne, Clemson; RB Zack Moss, Utah; WR Michael Pittman Jr., USC; WR James Proche, SMU; TE Charlie Kolar, Iowa State; OL Lloyd Cushenberry III, LSU; OL Wyatt Davis, Ohio State; OL Logan Stenberg, Kentucky; OL Calvin Throckmorton, Oregon; C Creed Humphrey, Oklahoma. Defense: DL Leki Fotu, Utah; DL Greg Rousseau, Miami; DL Jaylen Twyman, Pitt; DL Curtis Weaver, Boise State; LB Jordyn Brooks, Texas Tech; LB Micah Parsons, Penn State; LB Hamilcar Rashed, Oregon State; DB Luq Barcoo, San Diego State; DB Jeff Gladney, TCU; DB C.J. Henderson, Florida; DB Derek Stingley Jr., LSU. Specialists: K Nick Sciba, Wake Forest; P Sterling Hofrichter, Syracuse; KR Joshua Youngblood, Kansas State; PR Jalen Reagor TCU; AP Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State.

The FWAA’s All-America Committee selected this 76th annual team based on nominations from the entire membership. This is just the seventh season in the modern era (post-1950) that the FWAA has named a second team. The FWAA also selected an all-purpose player for a third time, which made for a 54-man full team.

The FWAA All-America Team was first selected in 1944, three years after the organization was formed. The FWAA’s inaugural team included Army’s Heisman Trophy tandem of Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis and Georgia Tech’s Frank Broyles, who later became Arkansas’ head football coach and athletic director.

Over the years, the FWAA team has highlighted all the game’s great players in several media forums. From 1946-70, LOOK magazine published the FWAA team and brought players and selected writers to New York City for a celebration. During that 25-year period, the FWAA team was introduced on national television shows by such noted hosts as Bob Hope, Steve Allen and Perry Como.

After LOOK folded, the FWAA started a long association with NCAA Films (later known as NCAA Productions), which produced a 30-minute television program. The team was part of ABC-TV’s 1981 College Football Series. From 1983-90, the team was introduced on either ABC or ESPN. In 2002 and ’03, the All-America team was honored with a banquet at the Citrus Bowl.

The same bowl also was a sponsor when the team was featured on ABC and ESPN from different locations on Disney properties from 2004-07. From 2008-10, the team had been the subject of a one-hour ESPN special.

For seven decades the FWAA has selected an All-America team with the help of its members and an All-America Committee, which represents all the regions in the country. From that All-America team, the FWAA also selects the Outland Trophy winner (best interior lineman) and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner (best defensive player).

Some of the true greats of the writing profession have helped to select this team over the years: Grantland Rice, Bert McGrane, Blackie Sherrod, Furman Bisher, Pat Harmon, Fred Russell, Edwin Pope, Murray Olderman, Paul Zimmerman – and the list goes on and on. The FWAA All-America team is steeped in tradition and history and is selected by a writers’ group with those same attributes.

The Cotton Bowl Classic was formed in 1937 with the mission of providing the most innovative of all college football bowl games and to be a leader in creating premier college sports experiences for universities, student athletes, sponsors and the community. Since the inaugural game in 1937, the Classic has contributed nearly a billion dollars to higher education. Each year, football fans attending the Cotton Bowl Classic generate more than $30 million in direct spending for the North Texas community.

The Football Writers Association of America, a non-profit organization founded in 1941, consists of more than 1,400 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game day operations, major awards and its annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its award programs, contact Steve Richardson at tiger@fwaa.com or call 214-870-6516.

2019 FWAA All-America Committee: Kirk Bohls, Austin American-Statesman; Ken Capps, TexasFootball.com; Scott Dochterman, The Athletic; Scott Farrell, collegepressbox.com; Bryan Fischer, NBC Sports; Suzanne Halliburton, Austin American-Statesman; Clay Henry, Hawgs Illustrated; Adam Hunsucker, Monroe News-Star; Doug Lesmerises, Cleveland.com; Nate Mink, Syracuse Post-Standard; Dylan Montz, Ames Tribune; Tony Siracusa, Last Word on College Football; Phil Steele, Phil Steele Publications; Chris Vannini, The Athletic; John Wagner, Freelance.

Related links:
• All-Time FWAA All-America Teams (.pdf)
• Download the 2019 FWAA All-America logo

2018 FWAA All-America Team unveiled

by • FWAA All-America Team • Tags: ,

DALLAS — The 2018 Football Writers Association of America All-America Team was announced Monday, headlined by eight players from the Southeastern Conference and six from the Atlantic Coast Conference along with Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Kyler Murray of Oklahoma. Nine of the 10 Football Bowl Subdivision conferences plus two independents are represented on the first and second teams that also include seven repeat All-Americans.

The exclusive announcement came on “Off Campus with Mark Packer” on ESPNU Radio on SiriusXM.

Alabama, the top-ranked team in the upcoming College Football Playoff, leads the field with four selections, two on the first team and two on the second team, while Oklahoma, Clemson and LSU each placed three on the first- and/or second-teams. Alabama leads four SEC programs with at least two members on the All-America team with defensive lineman and Outland Trophy winner Quinnen Williams and offensive lineman Jonah Williams on the first team to go with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and defensive back Deionte Thompson on the second team.

Oklahoma boasts Murray and offensive lineman Ben Powers on the first team and wide receiver Marquise Brown on the second, and Clemson has a pair of two-time All-Americans on the first team in offensive lineman Mitch Hyatt (2nd team in 2017) and defensive lineman Christian Wilkins (1st team in 2016), along with running back Travis Etienne on the second.

The first team includes a mix of nine seniors or graduate students, 10 juniors, six sophomores and two freshmen. The conference breakdown on the first team is: SEC (8), ACC (6), Big Ten (4), Big 12 (3), American Athletic (2), Independents (2), Pac-12 (1) and Mountain West (1). There are four repeat members on the 27-player first team but overall 47 of the 54 honored players are first-time selections to the FWAA All-America team. There are seven repeat members on the full team, and the SEC leads all conferences in members of the full team with 15, well ahead of the ACC’s 10.

Ed Oliver of Houston, now a three-time FWAA All-American (1st team in 2017 and 2nd team in 2016) on the defensive line, highlights the first-team defense along with this year’s Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner, Josh Allen of Kentucky, which the FWAA honored last week as the nation’s most outstanding defensive player. LSU placed two members into the first-team secondary with Grant Delpit and Greedy Williams, and the Tigers’ third All-American is repeat member Devin White (2nd team in 2017) on the second team. Washington linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven, the nation’s tackles leader, is also on the first-team defense along with one of the top sack leaders, Montez Sweat of Mississippi State. Devin Bush of Michigan is the other first-team linebacker, and Boston College and Notre Dame players complete the first-team secondary with Hamp Cheevers and Julian Love, respectively.

Two running backs who have topped 1,900 yards this season fill out the first-team backfield in two-time All-American Jonathan Taylor of Wisconsin (2nd team in 2017) and Memphis running back Darrell Henderson. One of the men who helped clear Taylor’s path, Wisconsin offensive lineman Michael Deiter, is also on the first team, as is center Garrett Bradbury of N.C. State. The nation’s two receiving yardage leaders, Andy Isabella of Massachusetts and Antoine Wesley of Texas Tech, are on the first team along with tight end target Jace Sternberger of Texas A&M. The Aggies also placed punter Braden Mann on the first team.

The first-team specialists include Mann, the nation’s punting-average leader, along with the two freshmen on the first team, Syracuse kicker Andre Szmyt and Purdue all-purpose player Rondale Moore, who leads the nation in receptions in addition to being one of the country’s most dangerous return men. Utah State’s Savon Scarver earned the first-team spot as kick returner, and Wake Forest’s Greg Dortch is the first-team punt returner. Also among the specialists is Matt Gay of Utah, a repeat member who earned second-team mention this season after first-team accolades in 2017.

Utah is one of 10 schools with at least two members on the full team and placed linebacker Chase Hansen on the second team. Boston College also placed a second member among the specialists with Michael Walker as the second-team punt returner. Notre Dame center Sam Mustipher gives the Fighting Irish a second-team All-American and Ole Miss has a pair of second-team members in wide receiver A.J. Brown and offensive lineman Greg Little. Northern Illinois defensive lineman Sutton Smith is one of the seven repeat All-Americans as a second-team defensive lineman (1st team in 2017) and the Mid-American Conference’s lone member on the full team. Smith is tied for the national sack lead with 15.0 on the season along with Louisiana Tech defensive lineman Jaylon Ferguson, who is also on the second team and is Conference USA’s lone selection.

2018 FWAA ALL-AMERICA FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
QB Kyler Murray, Oklahoma 5-10 195 Jr. Allen, Texas
RB Darrell Henderson, Memphis 5-9 205 Jr. Batesville, Miss.
RB Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin 5-11 221 So. Salem, N.J.
WR Andy Isabella, Massachusetts 5-10 190 Sr. Mayfield, Ohio
WR Antoine Wesley, Texas Tech 6-5 200 Jr. Las Vegas, Nev.
TE Jace Sternberger, Texas A&M 6-4 250 Jr. Kingfisher, Okla.
OL Michael Deiter, Wisconsin 6-6 310 Sr. Curtice, Ohio
OL Mitch Hyatt, Clemson 6-5 310 Sr. Suwanee, Ga.
OL Ben Powers, Oklahoma 6-4 313 Sr. Wichita, Kan.
OL Jonah Williams, Alabama 6-5 301 Jr. Folsom, Calif.
C Garrett Bradbury, N.C. State 6-3 300 Gr. Charlotte, N.C.
DEFENSE
DL Ed Oliver, Houston 6-3 292 Jr. Houston, Texas
DL Montez Sweat, Mississippi State 6-6 245 Sr. Stone Mountain, Ga.
DL Christian Wilkins, Clemson 6-4 315 Gr. Springfield, Mass.
DL Quinnen Williams, Alabama 6-4 295 So. Birmingham, Ala.
LB Josh Allen, Kentucky 6-5 260 Sr. Montclair, N.J.
LB Ben Burr-Kirven, Washington 6-0 221 Sr. Menlo Park, Calif.
LB Devin Bush, Michigan 5-11 233 Jr. Pembroke Pines, Fla.
DB Hamp Cheevers, Boston College 5-10 180 Jr. Trenton, Fla.
DB Grant Delpit, LSU 6-3 203 So. Houston, Texas
DB Julian Love, Notre Dame 5-11 193 Jr. Westchester, Ill.
DB Greedy Williams, LSU 6-3 184 So. Shreveport, La.
SPECIALISTS
K Andre Szmyt, Syracuse 6-1 195 Fr. Vernon Hills, Ill.
P Braden Mann, Texas A&M 5-11 190 Jr. Houston, Texas
KR Savon Scarver, Utah State 5-11 185 So. Las Vegas, Nev.
PR Greg Dortch, Wake Forest 5-9 170 So. Richmond, Va.
AP Rondale Moore, Purdue 5-9 175 Fr. New Albany, Ind.

2017 FWAA ALL-AMERICA SECOND TEAM

Offense: QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama; RB Eno Benjamin, Arizona State; RB Travis Etienne, Clemson; WR A.J. Brown, Ole Miss; WR Marquise Brown, Oklahoma; TE T.J. Hockenson, Iowa; OL Yodny Cajuste, West Virginia; OL Greg Little, Ole Miss; OL Dalton Risner, Kansas State; OL Calvin Throckmorton, Oregon; C Sam Mustipher, Notre Dame.

Defense: DL Jaylon Ferguson, Louisiana Tech; DL Sutton Smith, NIU; DL Kenny Willekes, Michigan State; DL Gerald Willis, Miami; LB Chase Hansen, Utah; LB Tre Watson, Maryland; LB Devin White, LSU; DB Paulson Adebo, Stanford; DB Deandre Baker, Georgia; DB Bryce Hall, Virginia; DB Deionte Thompson, Alabama.

Specialists: K Matt Gay, Utah; P James Smith, Cincinnati; KR Deebo Samuel, South Carolina; PR Michael Walker, Boston College; AP Pooka Williams, Kansas.

The FWAA’s All-America Committee selected this 75th annual team based on nominations from the entire membership. This is just the sixth season in the modern era (post-1950) that the FWAA has named a second team. The FWAA also selected an allpurpose player for a second time, which made for a 54-man full team.

Since 1945, the FWAA All-America Team has been among the five teams used to formulate the NCAA’s annual consensus AllAmerica team, which will be announced later this week. Since the 2002 season, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), The Associated Press, The Sporting News and the Walter Camp Football Foundation have joined the FWAA as the five designated selectors by the NCAA.

The FWAA All-America Team was first selected in 1944, three years after the organization was formed. The FWAA’s inaugural team included Army’s Heisman Trophy tandem of Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis and Georgia Tech’s Frank Broyles, who later became Arkansas’ head football coach and athletic director.

Over the years, the FWAA team has highlighted all the game’s great players in several media forums. From 1946-70, LOOK magazine published the FWAA team and brought players and selected writers to New York City for a celebration. During that 25-year period, the FWAA team was introduced on national television shows by such noted hosts as Bob Hope, Steve Allen and Perry Como.

After LOOK folded, the FWAA started a long association with NCAA Films (later known as NCAA Productions), which produced a 30-minute television program. The team was part of ABC-TV’s 1981 College Football Series. From 1983-90, the team was introduced on either ABC or ESPN. In 2002 and ‘03, the All-America team was honored with a banquet at the Citrus Bowl.

The same bowl also was a sponsor when the team was featured on ABC and ESPN from different locations on Disney properties from 2004-07. From 2008-10, the team had been the subject of a one-hour ESPN special.

For seven decades the FWAA has selected an All-America team with the help of its members and an All-America Committee, which represents all the regions in the country. From that All-America team, the FWAA also selects the Outland Trophy winner (best interior lineman) and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner (best defensive player).

Some of the true greats of the writing profession have helped to select this team over the years: Grantland Rice, Bert McGrane, Blackie Sherrod, Furman Bisher, Pat Harmon, Fred Russell, Edwin Pope, Murray Olderman, Paul Zimmerman – and the list goes on and on. The FWAA All-America team is steeped in tradition and history and is selected by a writers’ group with those same attributes.

The Football Writers Association of America, a non-profit organization founded in 1941, consists of more than 1,400 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game day operations, major awards and its annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its award programs, contact Steve Richardson at tiger@fwaa.com or call 214-870-6516.

2018 FWAA ALL-AMERICA COMMITTEE

  • Kirk Bohls, Austin American-Statesman
  • Ken Capps, TexasFootball.com (Big 12)
  • Clay Henry, Hawgs Illustrated (SEC)
  • Joey Johnston, Johnston Communications (American)
  • Doug Lesmerises, Cleveland.com (Big Ten)
  • Nate Mink, Syracuse Post-Standard (ACC)
  • Nick Moyle, San Antonio Express-News (Conference USA)
  • B.J. Rains, Idaho Press Tribune (Mountain West)
  • Matt Roberson, Jonesboro Sun (Sun Belt)
  • Tony Siracusa, Last Word on College Football (Pac-12)
  • Phil Steele, Phil Steele Publications
  • John Wagner, Freelance (MAC)

FWAA names 2017 All-America team

by • Awards, FWAA All-America Team • Tags:

The 2017 Football Writers Association of America All-America Team was announced Monday, headlined by seven first-team players from the Big 12 Conference and with eight of the 10 Football Bowl Subdivision conferences represented.

Oklahoma led the field with three members on the first team, punctuated by Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield at quarterback. Tight end Mark Andrews and offensive tackle Orlando Brown, an Outland Trophy finalist for the best interior lineman in college football, also represented the Sooners on the first team. Mayfield was the FWAA’s second-team quarterback in 2015 and ’16, and moved to the first team along with 2016 second-teamers Brown, Texas punter Michael Dickson and Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver, the Outland Trophy winner.

The Big 12’s other selections came from Texas, Oklahoma State and Iowa State. Two other schools – Iowa and Notre Dame – had multiple first-team players. Both of Notre Dame’s All-Americans were up front, with Mike McClinchey and Quenton Nelson earning spots on the offensive line. Iowa’s representation came from the defense, linebacker Josey Jewell and defensive back Josh Jackson. Besides Dickson, Texas also included defensive back DeShon Elliott. The first team also featured Bradley Chubb of North Carolina State, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner as the best defensive player in college football.

The first team included a mix of 13 seniors, 10 juniors and four sophomores. The conference breakdown on the first team was: Big 12 (7), Big Ten (4), ACC (3), Pac-12 (3), American Athletic (2), Independents (2), Mid-American (2), Mountain West (2) and SEC (2). There are no repeat members on the 27-player first team, and overall 46 players of the 54 honored players are first-time FWAA selections.

Oklahoma State wide receiver James Washington and Iowa State linebacker Joel Lanning were also a part of the Big 12’s first-team contingent. Skill-position players Rashaad Penny of San Diego State (running back) and Michael Gallup of Colorado State (wide receiver) headlined the two first-team picks from the Mountain West Conference. The Mid-American Conference produced two first-team picks up front in Western Michigan offensive lineman Chukwuma Okorafor and Northern Illinois defensive lineman Sutton Smith, who was one of four sophomores on the team joining Houston’s Oliver, Florida State defensive back Derwin James and Memphis kick returner Tony Pollard Oliver and Pollard were the two picks from the American Athletic Conference.

The two first-team selections from the Southeastern Conference came on defense: linebacker Roquan Smith of Georgia and defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick of Alabama. The ACC’s third selection to the first-team, in addition to NC State’s Chubb and Florida State’s James, was also on defense in Clemson lineman Austin Bryant. Two of the Pac-12’s three first-team honorees came on special teams – punter Matt Gay of Utah and punt returner Dante Pettis of Washington – and in the backfield with running back Bryce Love of Stanford.

The FWAA’s All-America Committee selected this 74th annual team based on nominations from the entire membership. This is just the fifth season in the modern era (post-1950) that the FWAA has named a second team. The FWAA also selected an all-purpose player for the first time – Saquon Barkley of Penn State was the 2017 first-team member – raising the number of first- and second-team players (27 on each) to 54. Barkley was one of four Big Ten players on the first team, along with Jewell and Jackson from Iowa and Ohio State center Billy Price.

Eight players were repeat members of the All-America Team. Joining Mayfield, Brown, Dickson and Oliver as multi-year selections were Auburn kicker Daniel Carlson, Virginia linebacker Micah Kiser, Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson and Utah punter Mitch Wishnowsky. Jackson and Wishnowsky were first-team members in 2016, and Carlson and Kiser each made the second team for a second straight season. Mayfield is the only three-time selection on this year’s team.

Auburn and Wisconsin both had three second-team selections and Clemson, Stanford and Virginia had two each.

Since 1945, the FWAA All-America Team has been among the five teams used to formulate the NCAA’s annual consensus All-America team, which will be announced later this week. Since the 2002 season, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), The Associated Press, The Sporting News and the Walter Camp Football Foundation have joined the FWAA as the five designated selectors by the NCAA.

The FWAA All-America Team was first selected in 1944, three years after the organization was formed. The FWAA’s inaugural team included Army’s Heisman Trophy tandem of Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis and Georgia Tech’s Frank Broyles, who later became Arkansas’ head football coach and athletic director.

Over the years, the FWAA team has highlighted all the game’s great players in several media forums. From 1946-70, LOOK magazine published the FWAA team and brought players and selected writers to New York City for a celebration. During that 25-year period, the FWAA team was introduced on national television shows by such noted hosts as Bob Hope, Steve Allen and Perry Como.

After LOOK folded, the FWAA started a long association with NCAA Films (later known as NCAA Productions), which produced a 30-minute television program. The team was part of ABC-TV’s 1981 College Football Series. From 1983-90, the team was introduced on either ABC or ESPN. In 2002 and ‘03, the All-America team was honored with a banquet at the Citrus Bowl.

The same bowl also was a sponsor when the team was featured on ABC and ESPN from different locations on Disney properties from 2004-07. From 2008-10, the team had been the subject of a one-hour ESPN special.

For seven decades the FWAA has selected an All-America team with the help of its members and an All-America Committee, which represents all the regions in the country. From that All-America team, the FWAA also selects the Outland Trophy winner (best interior lineman) and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner (best defensive player).

Some of the true greats of the writing profession have helped to select this team over the years: Grantland Rice, Bert McGrane, Blackie Sherrod, Furman Bisher, Pat Harmon, Fred Russell, Edwin Pope, Murray Olderman, Paul Zimmerman – and the list goes on and on. The FWAA All-America team is steeped in tradition and history and is selected by a writers’ group with those same attributes.

The Football Writers Association of America, a non-profit organization founded in 1941, consists of more than 1,300 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game day operations, major awards and its annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its award programs, contact Steve Richardson at tiger@fwaa.com or call 214-870-6516.

The 2017 First-Team FWAA All-America Team

OFFENSE
QB Baker Mayfield Oklahoma 6-1 220 Sr. Austin, Texas
RB Bryce Love Stanford 5-10 196 Jr. Wake Forest, N.C.
RB Rashaad Penny San Diego State 5-11 220 Sr. Norwalk, Calif.
WR Michael Gallup Colorado State 6-1 200 Sr. Monroe, Ga.
WR James Washington Oklahoma State 6-0 205 Sr. Stamford, Texas
TE Mark Andrews Oklahoma 6-5 254 Jr. Scottsdale, Ariz.
OL Orlando Brown Oklahoma 6-8 345 Jr. Duluth, Ga.
OL Mike McGlinchey Notre Dame 6-8 315 Gr. Philadelphia, Pa.
OL Quenton Nelson Notre Dame 6-5 330 Sr. Holmdel, N.J.
OL Chukwuma Okorafor Western Michigan 6-6 330 Sr. Southfield, Mich.
C Billy Price Ohio State 6-4 312 Gr. Austintown, Ohio
DEFENSE
DL Austin Bryant Clemson 6-5 265 Jr. Pavo, Ga.
DL Bradley Chubb N.C. State 6-4 275 Sr. Marietta, Ga.
DL Ed Oliver Houston 6-3 290 So. Houston, Texas
DL Sutton Smith Northern Illinois 6-0 225 So. St. Charles, Mo.
LB Josey Jewell Iowa 6-2 236 Sr. Decorah, Iowa
LB Joel Lanning Iowa State 6-2 230 Sr. Ankeny, Iowa
LB Roquan Smith Georgia 6-1 225 Jr. Montezuma, Ga.
DB DeShon Elliott Texas 6-2 210 Jr. Rockwall, Texas
DB Minkah Fitzpatrick Alabama 6-1 202 Jr. Old Bridge, N.J.
DB Josh Jackson Iowa 6-1 192 Jr. Corinth, Texas
DB Derwin James Florida State 6-3 215 So. Haines City, Fla.
SPECIALISTS
K Matt Gay Utah 6-1 220 Jr. Orem, Utah
P Michael Dickson Texas 6-3 205 Jr. Sydney, Australia
KR Tony Pollard Memphis 5-11 200 So. Memphis, Tenn.
PR Dante Pettis Washington 6-1 195 Sr. San Clemente, Calif.
AP Saquon Barkley Penn State 5-11 230 Jr. Coplay, Pa.

2016 FWAA All-America Team announced

by • Awards, FWAA All-America Team, News • Tags: ,

DALLAS — The 2016 FWAA All-America Team was announced on Monday by the Football Writers Association of America. The 26-man first team is led by the Southeastern Conference with eight selections. Top-ranked Alabama of the SEC led all schools with four players on the team, including Outland Trophy winner (best interior lineman) Cam Robinson and Nagurski Trophy winner Jonathan Allen (best defensive player).

For the fifth straight season, the announcement of the team, the second-longest continuously published team in major college football, will be featured on SiriusXM Radio’s “College Football Nation.” A two-hour special hosted by Mark Packer and Matt Leinart airs today at 5 p.m. ET.

Also representing the 2016 FWAA All-America Team from Alabama, which is in the College Football Playoff semifinal against Washington at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, is linebacker Reuben Foster and defensive back Marlon Humphrey. The SEC’s other All-America players came from Auburn, LSU, Texas A&M and Vanderbilt.

There are two repeat first-team selections from the 2015 FWAA team: Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett and Florida State running back Dalvin Cook. Three other teams — PlayStation Fiesta Bowl-bound Ohio State, Florida State and Texas — each had two players on the first team.

The Mid-American Conference, a Group of Five league, produced two first-team FWAA All-Americans, including Western Michigan wide receiver Corey Davis, who will lead the Broncos against Wisconsin in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl on Jan. 2.

There were eight seniors, 10 juniors and eight sophomores selected to the first team. The conference breakdown for those players is as follows: SEC (8), ACC (5) Pac-12 (5), Big Ten (3) Big 12 (3), and Mid-American (2).

The FWAA’s All-America Committee selected this 73nd annual team based on nominations from the entire membership. This is just the fourth season in the modern era (post-1950) that the FWAA has named a second team.

For the second straight year, Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield was named the quarterback of the second team. Michigan defensive back Jourdan Lewis also made the second team a second straight year. Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey, a first-team kick returner in 2015, is a second-team running back in 2016. And Iowa’s Desmond King, a first-team defensive back in 2015, is on the second team as a kick returner in 2016.

LSU, Oklahoma, Stanford, Washington and West Virginia each had two second-team selections. LSU, Oklahoma, Texas and Washington each had three players on the first and second teams combined.

Since 1945, the FWAA All-America Team has been among the five teams used to formulate the NCAA’s annual consensus AllAmerica team, which will be announced later this week. Since the 2002 season, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), The Associated Press, The Sporting News and the Walter Camp Football Foundation have joined the FWAA as the five designated selectors by the NCAA.

The FWAA All-America Team was first selected in 1944, three years after the organization was formed. The FWAA’s inaugural team included Army’s Heisman Trophy tandem of Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis and Georgia Tech’s Frank Broyles, who later became Arkansas’ head football coach and athletic director.

2016 FWAA ALL-AMERICA FIRST TEAM

OFFENSE
QB Lamar Jackson Louisville 6-3 205 So. Pompano Beach, Fla.
RB Dalvin Cook Florida State 5-11 213 Jr. Miami, Fla.
RB D’Onta Foreman Texas 6-1 249 Jr. Texas City, Texas
WR Corey Davis Western Michigan 6-3 213 Sr. Wheaton, Ill.
WR Dede Westbrook Oklahoma 6-0 176 Sr. Cameron, Texas
TE Michael Roberts Toledo 6-5 270 Sr. Cleveland, Ohio
OL Pat Elflein Ohio State 6-3 300 Sr. Pickerington, Ohio
OL Cody O’Connell Washington State 6-8 354 Jr. Wenatchee, Wash.
OL Ethan Pocic LSU 6-7 302 Sr Lemont, Ill.
OL Cam Robinson Alabama 6-6 310 Jr. Monroe, La.
OL Connor Williams Texas 6-6 288 So Coppell, Texas

DEFENSE
DL Jonathan Allen Alabama 6-3 291 Sr Leesburg, Va.
DL Myles Garrett Texas A&M 6-5 270 Jr Arlington, Texas
DL Carl Lawson Auburn 6-2 253 Jr Alpharetta, Ga
DL Christian Wilkins Clemson 6-4 310 So Springfield, Mass.
LB Zach Cunningham Vanderbilt 6-4 230 Jr. Pinson, Ala.
LB Reuben Foster Alabama 6-1 228 Sr Auburn, Ala.
LB Jabrill Peppers Michigan 6-1 205 Jr East Orange, N.J.
DB Budda Baker Washington 5-10 192 Jr Bellevue, Wash.
DB Malik Hooker Ohio State 6-2 205 Jr New Castle, Pa.
DB Marlon Humphrey Alabama 6-1 196 So. Hoover, Ala.
DB Tarvarus McFadden Florida State 6-2 198 So Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

SPECIALISTS
K Zane Gonzalez Arizona State 6-1 195 Sr. Deer Park, Texas
P Mitch Wishnowsky Utah 6-2 220 So Gosnells, Australia
KR Quadree Henderson Pittsburgh 5-8 190 So Wilmington, Del.
PR Adoreé Jackson USC 5-11 185 Jr Belleville, Ill.

 

2016 FWAA ALL-AMERICA SECOND TEAM

OFFENSE
QB Baker Mayfield Oklahoma
RB Christian McCaffrey, Stanford
RB Donnel Pumphrey San Diego State
WR Zay Jones East Carolina
WR John Ross Washington
HB Curtis Samuel Ohio State
OL Trey Adams Washington
OL Orlando Brown Oklahoma
OL Taylor Moton Western Michigan
OL Tyler Orlosky West Virginia
OL Ryan Ramczyk Wisconsin

DEFENSE
DL Derek Barnett Tennessee
DL Hunter Dimick Utah
DL Ed Oliver Houston
DL Solomon Thomas Stanford
LB Kendell Beckwith LSU
LB Ben Boulware Clemson
LB Micah Kiser Virginia
DB Rasul Douglas West Virginia
DB Jourdan Lewis Michigan
DB Jalen “Teez” Tabor Florida
DB Tre’Davious White LSU.

SPECIALISTS
K Daniel Carlson Auburn
P Michael Dickson Texas
KR Desmond King Iowa
PR Christian Kirk Texas A&M.

Over the years, the FWAA team has highlighted all the game’s great players in several media forums. From 1946-70, LOOK magazine published the FWAA team and brought players and selected writers to New York City for a celebration. During that 25-year period, the FWAA team was introduced on national television shows by such noted hosts as Bob Hope, Steve Allen and Perry Como.

After LOOK folded, the FWAA started a long association with NCAA Films (later known as NCAA Productions), which produced a 30-minute television program. The team was part of ABC-TV’s 1981 College Football Series. From 1983-90, the team was introduced on either ABC or ESPN. In 2002 and ‘03, the All-America team was honored with a banquet at the Citrus Bowl.

The same bowl, now the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl, also was a sponsor when the team was featured on ABC and ESPN from different locations on Disney properties from 2004-07. From 2008-10, the team had been the subject of a one-hour ESPN special.

For seven decades the FWAA has selected an All-America team with the help of its members and an All-America Committee, which represents all the regions in the country. From that All-America team, the FWAA also selects the Outland Trophy winner (best interior lineman) and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner (best defensive player).

Some of the true greats of the writing profession have helped to select this team over the years: Grantland Rice, Bert McGrane, Blackie Sherrod, Furman Bisher, Pat Harmon, Fred Russell, Edwin Pope, Murray Olderman, Paul Zimmerman — and the list goes on and on. The FWAA All-America team is steeped in tradition and history and is selected by a writers’ group with those same attributes.

Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of 1,400 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game-day operations, major awards and its annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its award programs, contact Steve Richardson at tiger@fwaa.com.

2016 FWAA ALL-AMERICA COMMITTEE

Nick Baumgardner, MLive.com (Big Ten)

Kirk Bohls, Austin American-Statesman (Chairman)

Tim Griffin, San Antonio Express-News (C-USA)

Clay Henry, Hawgs Illustrated (SEC)

Joey Johnston, TodaysU.com (American Athletic)

Steve Jones, Louisville Courier-Journal (ACC)

Matt Roberson, Jonesboro Sun (Sun Belt)

John Shinn, Norman Transcript (Big 12)

Dave Southorn, Idaho Statesman (Mountain West)

Phil Steele, Phil Steele Publications (Independents/National)

Ryan Thorburn, Eugene Register-Guard (Pac-12)

John Wagner, Toledo Blade (Mid-American)