Tag: all american

Jabari Smith makes USA Today All-American team

The All-American nod is Smith’s fourth on the year.

Auburn’s basketball season may be over, but forward Jabari Smith is still raking in awards.

Smith was recently named to USA Today’s All-American squad as a member of the second team. The nomination is one of four All-American nods Smith received this year. Smith first became Auburn’s first All-American in 23 years when he was named to Sporting News’ All-American second-team. After that, he joined teammate Walker Kessler on the Associated Press’ All-American second team, and he then became Auburn’s second consensus All-American when he was named to the U.S Basketball Writers’ Associaton’s All-American second team.

On top of those awards, Smith was also a favorite for All-SEC nominations. Smith was named to the All-SEC first team and was voted SEC Freshman of the Year by the conference’s coaches, joining Kessler and head coach Bruce Pearl as Auburn’s representatives in the All-SEC nominations.

The freshman forward is expected to leave the Auburn Tigers and enter the 2022 NBA draft, where numerous outlets and experts have him projected as a top-three pick. Smith finished this year averaging 16.9 points, 7.4 total rebounds, a .429 field goal percentage and two assists. Teams hope the 6’10”, 220-pound forward can continue his production from college in the NBA as he takes the next step in his career.

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Jabari Smith, Walker Kessler make Associated Press All-America team

Smith made the second team and Kessler made the third team.

The awards continue to pile on for Auburn’s duo of Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler.

Smith and Kessler were both nominated for the Associated Press’ All-America team, with Smith landing on the second team and Kessler landing on the third team. The Tigers were the only SEC team on the AP’s list represented more than once.

Jabari Smith is no stranger to the mantle of All-American. He was just named a second-team All-American by Sporting News last week, which made him Auburn’s first All-American in 23 years. On top of the extra All-American nod from the Associated Press, Smith has been showered with All-SEC awards this year and is also expected to be a top-three pick in this year’s upcoming NBA Draft. Smith is currently averaging 17.1 points per game and is shooting 44 percent from the field.

Walker Kessler, Auburn’s big-man transfer from North Carolina, has been doing his part to get recognized, too. This is Kessler’s first All-American nod, but he shared All-SEC honors with Smith and has been recognized as one of the best defensive players in college basketball, being named as a finalist for the Naismith Trophy Men’s Defensive Player of the Year award on Tuesday. Kessler is averaging 11.7 points, 4.5 blocks and 5.6 defensive rebounds per game.

Smith and Kessler head to Greenville, South Carolina, with the rest of the Auburn Tigers for their first game in the NCAA Tournament as the No.2 seed against the No. 15-seed Jacksonville State Gamecocks this Friday at 11:40 p.m. CT.

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Jabari Smith named Auburn’s first All-American in 23 years

This is well deserved.

Jabari Smith is one of the best players to play basketball for Auburn and he has accomplished something no Auburn player has done in 23 years.

He was named a second team All-American by the Sporting News on Monday. The superstar freshman is Auburn’s first All-American since Chris Porter and Doc Robinson were both tabbed All-Americans at the end of the 1998-99 season. He is just the 12th All-American in program history.

Smith, Auburn’s highest-rated signee in program history, helped lead Auburn to a 15-3 record in SEC play, earning the program an outright regular-season championship. The Tigers will enter the SEC Tournament in Tampa, Florida as the No. 1 seed.

The 6-10 freshman averaged 17.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game and shot a blistering 43.6 percent from 3-point range.

This will not be the last accolade he earns this season, several more publications will be announcing their All-American teams this week and he is widely expected to win the SEC Freshman of the Year award.

Clemson’s top prospect just showing off…

Clemson five-star signee Cade Klubnik is more than just a superstar quarterback prospect. A video started making rounds online today showing Klubnik making a spectacular one-handed catch while messing around at the All-American Bowl practice. We all …

Clemson five-star signee Cade Klubnik is more than just a superstar quarterback prospect.

A video started making rounds online today showing Klubnik making a spectacular one-handed catch while messing around at the All-American Bowl practice.

We all know the kid can throw with the best of ’em, and as Dabo Swinney has pointed out, he can run, too. Well, apparently he has hands.

Who knows, maybe some trick plays coming to Death Valley this season. Clemson Special?

Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.

Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help.  #SaveNicks

Roger McCreary named All-American by ESPN, The Athletic, Senior Bowl

Roger McCreary had an unreal season.

After a dominant season as Auburn’s top cornerback Roger McCreary has been named an All-American.

McCreary was named a first-team All-American team by The Athletic and made ESPN’s and the Senior Bowl’s All-American teams.

“McCreary has been excellent in coverage all season, with 14 pass breakups and two interceptions, including a pick six, to lead the SEC in passes defended,” The Athletic wrote. “He’s PFF’s highest-graded cornerback in the Power 5 and was included as a projected first-round draft pick in Brugler’s latest mock draft.”

In their latest mock draft, they had McCreary going to the Arizona Cardinals with the 32nd pick in the first round.

“McCreary committed to South Alabama in high school because he believed it was going to be the best scholarship offer he would get,” ESPN’s Mark Schlabach wrote. “Auburn’s coaches finally came around to offering him after his senior season, and he has developed into one of the best lockdown cornerbacks in the country. This season, he had 49 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions and 14 pass breakups.”

ESPN’s Todd McShay ranks McCreary as the 13th best prospect ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft, and the No. 2 corner, trailing just LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr.

Notre Dame defender named mid-season All-American

Least surprising news ever?

In perhaps the least shocking news of October, Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton has been named an Associated Press Mid-Season All-American.

Related: Kyle Hamilton Photo Gallery at Notre Dame

Hamilton has recorded 32 tackles (18 solo) and three interceptions through Notre Dame’s first six games of 2021, although if we’re being honest it really should be four picks as one against Purdue in September was incorrectly ruled an incomplete pass.

Hamilton projects to be a top-10 pick, if not a top-five pick in next spring’s NFL draft that we all assume he’ll enter despite only being a junior.  Hamilton will be looking to become Notre Dame’s 103rd all-time consensus All-American this season and the first for the Irish since Julian Love accomplished the feat in 2018.

Related:

Notre Dame-USC: fun facts about epic rivalry

Notre Dame injury update ahead of USC game

Notre Dame releases depth chart for USC game

Kirk Herbstreit releases his latest top six team rankings

 

 

Ryan Bliss, Rankin Woley named preseason All-Americans

Auburn infielders Ryan Bliss and Rankin Woley were named 2021 Preseason Third Team All-America by Collegiate Baseball Tuesday.

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Auburn infielders Ryan Bliss and Rankin Woley were named 2021 Preseason Third Team All-America by Collegiate Baseball Tuesday.

The duo were two of Auburn’s top performers in the shortened 2020 season. Bliss ranked second in the SEC and sixth in the country in hits (29) in 2020. He also appeared in the top 10 in the league in runs (21), doubles (seven), triples (two) and total bases (46). He was named to Collegiate Baseball Third Team All-America honors at shortstop.

Woley was named Third Team All-America by Collegiate Baseball, CoSIDA Academic All-America and the SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Woley tied for the team lead and ranked tied for eighth in the SEC with a .412 average. He also ranked in the top 10 in the league in hits (28), doubles (eight), RBI (22) and total bases (42) and was the lone player in the NCAA to rank in the top 20 in hits, doubles and RBI.

Notre Dame Sees Three Named All-American

In what was just a five game season the Notre Dame Men’s LaCrosse team actually finished with more All-Americans than they did wins.  I can’t confirm that has ever happened in the history of collegiate lacrosse but I’m guessing if it has, it has a long time since it last did.

In what was just a five game season the Notre Dame Men’s LaCrosse team actually finished with more All-Americans than they did wins.  I can’t confirm that has ever happened in the history of collegiate lacrosse but I’m guessing if it has, it has a long time since it last did.

Inside LaCrosse named their All-American teams and Notre Dame was represented on the second and third teams as well as having a player earn honorable mention status.

Bryan Costabile finished the season with 10 goals and five assists in five games this season, good enough to earn second-team All-American status.

Defender Jack Kielty earned third team honors after recording five turnovers and scooping up 12 ground balls this season.  Kielty ends his career scooping 104 ground balls in 50 career games.

And finally, Arden Cohen was named an honorable mention after causing six turnovers and racking up 13 ground balls.

Notre Dame finished the season just 2-3 after a quick 2-0 start.  To view the entire Inside LaCrosse All-American Team, click the link here.

No discredit in anyway to any of those mentioned here but is five games really anywhere near enough to base an All-American Team off of?  Tough spot and we have bigger fish to fry than argue about such silliness but it did make me think a bit.

Georgia football LB selected for FWAA Freshman All-American Team

Georgia football had a linebacker named to the FWAA Freshman All-American Team

No doubt Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs have been pulling in major talent from across the country and the Peach State during the past four years. Redshirt freshman Azeez Ojulari from Marietta, GA became the latest Dawg recognized for his talent and hard work as he was named to the FWAA Freshman All-American Team.

The 6’3″, 240-pound Ojulari had a breakout season for Georgia. The outside linebacker recorded 34 QB pressures, 36 tackles and 5.5 sacks this season. He had five tackles in the Sugar Bowl victory including a third-quarter QB sack and forcced fumble. Ojulari started 13 of 14 games for the SEC’s total defense, scoring defense and rushing defense leader.

Ojulari earned the respect of his teammates by becoming the first freshman player in the Kirby Smart era to be named a team captain. He is the 13th Bulldog to be selected for the team in the award’s 19 years.

Following the trend of colleges recruiting nationally, 18 of the 32 freshman honored played high school football out-of-state from their respective college. Georgia State offensive lineman Travis Glover from Vienna, GA, a former non-rated prep, was the only other Peach State prep to make the team. Following is a list of all the award winners:

2019 FWAA Freshman All-American Team

Quarterbacks

Sam Howell – North Carolina, 6-2  225  Indian Trail, NC

Kedon Slovis – USC, 6-2  200  Scottsdale, AZ

Running backs

Javian Hawkins – Louisville, 5-9  182  Titusville, FL

Sincere McCormick – Texas-San Antonio, 5-9  200  Converse, TX

Receivers

David Bell – Purdue, 6-2  210  Indianapolis, IN

C.J. Johnson – East Carolina, 6-2  229  Greenville, NC

Dante Wright – Colorado State, 5-10  165  Navarre, FL

Offensive Linemen

Evan Neal – Alabama, 6-7  360  Okeechobee, FL

O’Cyrus Torrence – Louisiana, 6-5  342  Greensburg, LA

Ikem Ekwonu – NC State, 6-4  308  Charlotte, NC

Sean Rhyan – UCLA, 6-4  323  Ladera Ranch, CA

Nick Rosi – Toledo, 6-4  290  Powell, OH

Travis Glover – Georgia State, 6-6  330  Vienna, GA

Defensive Linemen

Gregory Rousseau – Miami, 6-6  251  Coconut Creek, FL

George Karlaftis – Purdue, 6-4  265  West Lafayette, IN

Solomon Byrd – Wyoming, 6-4  243  Palmdale, CA

Kayvon Thibodeaux – Oregon, 6-5  242  South Central Los Angeles, CA

Linebackers

Devin Richardson – New Mexico State, 6-3  233  Klein, TX

Omar Speights – Oregon State, 6-1  233  Philadelphia, PA

Azeez Ojulari – Georgia, 6-3, 240 Marietta, GA

Shane Lee – Alabama, 6-0  246  Burtonsville, MD

Defensive Backs

Ar’Darius Washington – TCU, 5-8  175  Shreveport, LA

Derek Stingley Jr. – LSU, 6-1  190  Baton Rouge, LA

Kyle Hamilton – Notre Dame, 6-4  210  Atlanta, GA

Verone McKinley III – Oregon, 5-10  192  Carrollton, TX

Ahmad Gardner – Cincinnati, 6-2  185  Detroit, MI

Tykee Smith – West Virginia, 5-10  184  Philadelphia, PA

Punter

Austin McNamara – Texas Tech, 6-4  175  Gilbert, AZ

Kicker

Gabe Brkic – Oklahoma, 6-2  175  Chardon, OH

Kick returner

Joshua Youngblood – Kansas State, 5-10  180  Tampa, FL

Punt returner

Kyle Philips – UCLA, 5-11  181  San Marcos, CA

All-Purpose

Kenneth Gainwell – Memphis, 5-11  183  Yazoo City, MS

Player of the Year

Kenneth Gainwell, Memphis