NEW HAVEN, CT – Player of the Year Marcus Mariota, quarterback from second-ranked Oregon, headlines the 2014 Walter Camp Football Foundation All-America Team, the 125th honored by the organization. The nation’s oldest All-America squad was announced this evening on The Home Depot ESPN College Football Awards Show.
Third-ranked Florida State had three players selected to the First Team, while top-ranked Alabama, Oregon and Utah all had two honorees. In all, 20 different schools from six conferences were represented on the All-America First Team. The Atlantic Coast Conference, Pac 12, and Southeastern Conference each had six selections.
The Walter Camp All-America teams are selected by the head coaches and sports information directors of the 125 Football Bowl Subdivision schools and certified by Marcum LLP, a New Haven-based accounting firm. Walter Camp Football Foundation President James Monico was pleased with the voting participation.
“Once again, we had more than 80 percent of the FBS schools participate in this year’s voting,” Monico said. “We are very appreciative of the continuing cooperation of the coaches and sports information directors in our annual effort to honor the nation’s most outstanding college players.”
Leading the offensive unit is Mariota, the 2014 Walter Camp Player of the Year. The nation’s leader in pass efficiency (186.3), Mariota has thrown for 3,783 yards and 38 touchdowns for the nation’s third-ranked scoring offense (46.3 points per game).
The nation’s top two rushers – both juniors and from the Big 10 Conference – are on the First Team. Junior Melvin Gordon (Wisconsin) has rushed for 2,336 yards and 179.7 yards per game, while Tevin Coleman (Indiana) has totaled 2,036 yards on the ground.
Junior Amari Cooper (Alabama) and sophomore Rashard Higgins (Colorado State) are the wide receivers. Cooper has 105 catches for 1,656 yards and 14 touchdowns, while Higgins has 89 catches for 1,640 yards and 17 touchdowns. The tight end is Nick O’Leary (Florida State).
On the offensive line, four seniors were selected: Brandon Scherff (Iowa), Tre’ Jackson (Florida State), Cedric Ogbuehi (Texas A&M) and Laken Tomlinson (Duke). Senior Reese Dismukes (Auburn) is the offensive center.
Placekicker Roberto Aguayo (Florida State) is a repeat First Team honoree. Aguayo has converted 25-of-27 field goals and all 53 of his point-after-kicks this season for the Seminoles.
Leading the defensive unit is sophomore linebacker Scooby Wright III (Arizona). Wright III has totaled 158 tackles (89 solo) for the Wildcats and leads the nation with 28 tackles for loss. Joining Wright in the middle is Hau’oli Kikaha (Washington) and Paul Dawson (TCU). Kikaha leads the nation with 18 sacks.
Repeat First Team All-American Vic Beasley (Clemson) is joined by senior Nate Orchard (Utah), junior Shane Ray (Missouri) and sophomore Joey Bosa (Ohio State). Orchard is second in the nation with 17.5 sacks.
Sophomore Gerod Holliman (Louisville), who leads the nation with 14 interceptions, anchors the defensive secondary. He is joined by seniors Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (Oregon), Senquez Golson (Ole Miss) and junior Landon Collins (Alabama). Ekpre-Olomu was a Second Team Walter Camp All-American in 2013.
The punter is junior Tom Hackett (Utah), who averages 47.0 yards-per-punt. The kick returner is senior Jamarcus Nelson (UAB), who has four kickoff returns for touchdowns this season.
The 2014 Walter Camp Player of the Year and members of the All-America team will be honored at the organization’s national awards banquet, presented by First Niagara Bank, on Saturday, January 17, 2015 at the Yale University Commons in New Haven.
In addition, the Foundation will recognize three individuals – broadcasting legend Verne Lundquist (Distinguished American), former Notre Dame and Pittsburgh Steeler standout running back Jerome Bettis (Man of the Year) and former Air Force All-American and Dallas Cowboy Chad Hennings (Alumnus of the Year) – with major awards.
The Foundation is offering a “Holiday Ticket Promotion” for the National Awards Dinner. Buy two tickets for $450 (you save $150) before December 31. Please call (203) 288-CAMP (288-2267) for more information.
Walter Camp, “The Father of American football,” first selected an All-America team in 1889. Camp – a former Yale University athlete and football coach – is also credited with developing play from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and tries and the restriction of play to eleven men per side. The Walter Camp Football Foundation – a New Haven-based all-volunteer group – was founded in 1967 to perpetuate the ideals of Camp and to continue the tradition of selecting annually an All-America team.
The Walter Camp Football Foundation is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game’s predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. Visit http://waltercamp.us5.list-
Walter Camp 2014 All-America Notebook
A Little History
This is the 125th edition of the Walter Camp All-America team – the nation’s oldest All-America team. Twenty-six players have been selected to the first team by the 125 Football Bowl Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors. In addition, 25 players have been selected to the Second Team.
• From 1889 to 1964, eleven players were selected.
• In 1965, both offensive and defensive teams were picked.
• In 1972, the first punter (Ray Guy, Southern Mississippi) was honored.
• In 1975, the first placekicker (Chris Bahr, Penn State) was selected.
• In 1998, the first-ever Second Team All-America team was recognized.
• In 2001, the first kick returner (Herb Haygood, Michigan State) was picked.
Conference Info
Twenty different schools representing six conferences have players on the 2014 Walter Camp All-America First Team. The Southeastern Conference (5 schools), Atlantic Coast Conference (4 schools) and Pac-12 (4 schools) each had six players on the First Team. The Big Ten Conference had four players from four member schools. Florida State had the most First Team honorees with three, while Alabama, Utah and Oregon each had two.
Then and Now
Twenty different schools are represented on the 2014 Walter Camp All-America First Team – the 125th honored in the name of the former Yale University football coaching legend. Of those 20 schools, Wisconsin has the honor of being the first represented on a Walter Camp All-American squad – tackle Bob Butler was recognized in 1912.
Good to See You Again
Two players – placekicker Robert Aguayo (Florida State) and defensive end Vic Beasley (Clemson) – are repeat First Team All-Americans.
Player of the Year Marcus Mariota
The 48th recipient of the Walter Camp Player of the Year award, Oregon junior quarterback Marcus Mariota is the first Duck to win the prestigious honor. Mariota is the 16th quarterback to earn the honor, and the eighth player from a Pac-12 school. Mariota and defensive back Ifo Ekpre-Olomu were first team All-Americans – the first time Oregon has had two First Team selections.
Class Distinction
Of the 25 First Team selections, 13 are seniors. There are seven juniors and five sophomores. On the Second Team, there are nine seniors, 10 juniors, four sophomores and two freshmen (both from the University of Florida – Dante Fowler, Jr. and Vernon Hargreaves III).
Streaking
Texas A&M and Florida State have had at least one Walter Camp First Team All-American in each of the last five years. It is the longest current streak. The all-time record belongs to Notre Dame (18 straight years, 1964 to 1981). After not having an All-American from 1999-2009, Texas A&M has had eight First Teamers in the last five years.
Big Time Backs from Big Ten
Two running backs from the Big Ten Conference – Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon and Indiana’s Tevin Coleman – were selected as First Team All-Americans. It is the fourth time since 1965 (the first year there were offensive and defensive teams selected) that the backfield hailed from the same conference.
1996 – Big 8 (Troy Davis, Iowa State and Byron Hanspard, Texas Tech)
2004 – Big 12 (Cedric Benson, Texas and Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma)
2008 – Big 10 (Javon Ringer, Michigan State and Shonn Greene, Iowa)
Lockett’s Back
Kansas State senior Tyler Lockett is a Second Team honoree at both wide receiver and kick returner. Lockett was a 2011 Walter Camp First Team All-American (kick returner). In addition, Lockett is the third player (all since 2009) to be a twice-honored Walter Camp All-American in the same year. Former Oregon star Cliff Harris was selected to the 2010 Second Team as a defensive back and kick returner. In 2009, former Clemson standout C.J. Spiller was also dually honored – Spiller was a First Team kick returner and Second Team running back.
The First Since…
Several schools are represented on the First Team All-American squad in some time.
• UAB kick returner Jamarcus Nelson is the first Blazer to be honored.
• Colorado State wide receiver Rashard Higgins is the first Ram to be honored since 1995 (defensive back Greg Myers).
• Louisville defensive back Gerod Holliman is the first Cardinal honored on the First Team since 2005 (defensive end Elvis Dumervill).
• Duke offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson is the first Blue Devil First Teamer since 1989 (wide receiver Clarkston Hines).
• Washington linebacker Hau’oli Kikaha is the first Husky to be honored since 1997 (offensive linemen Olin Kreutz and Benji Olson).
• Indiana running back Tevin Coleman is the first Hoosier First Team honoree since 1989 (running back Vaughn Dunbar).
Players of the Week
Each week during the regular-season, the Walter Camp Foundation recognizes a National Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week. Seven First and Second All-American members were recognized during the 2014 regular season. First Team All-Americans recognized included: Arizona linebacker Scooby Wright III (Oct. 26 and Nov. 30), Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper (Nov. 30), Louisville defensive back Gerod Holliman (Nov. 9) and Oregon quarterback and Player of the Year Marcus Mariota (Sept. 7). Second Team honorees included: TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin (Oct. 26) and UCLA linebacker Eric Kendricks (Aug. 31).
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First Team Offense
Pos. Name, School Ht Wgt Yr. Hometown
WR Amari Cooper, Alabama 6-1 210 Jr. Miami, FL
WR Rashard Higgins, Colorado State 6-2 188 Soph. Mesquite, TX
TE Nick O’Leary, Florida State 6-3 247 Sr. Palm Beach, FL
OL Brandon Scherff, Iowa 6-5 320 Sr. Denison, Iowa
OL Tre’ Jackson, Florida State 6-4 330 Sr. Jesup, GA
OL Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M 6-5 305 Sr. Allen, TX
OL Laken Tomlinson, Duke 6-3 330 Sr. Chicago, IL
C Reese Dismukes, Auburn 6-3 295 Sr. Spanish Fort, AL
QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon 6-4 219 Jr. Honolulu, HI
RB Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin 6-1 213 Jr. Kenosha, WI
RB Tevin Coleman, Indiana 6-1 210 Jr. Tinley Park, IL
PK Roberto Aguayo, Florida State * 6-1 213 Soph. Mascotte, FL
First Team Defense
Pos. Name, School Ht Wgt Yr. Hometown
DL Nate Orchard, Utah 6-4 255 Sr. Salt Lake City, UT
DL Shane Ray, Missouri 6-3 245 Jr. Kansas City, MO
DL Vic Beasley, Clemson * 6-3 235 Sr. Adairsville, GA
DL Joey Bosa, Ohio State 6-5 278 Soph. Fort Lauderdale, FL
LB Scooby Wright III, Arizona 6-1 246 Soph. Windsor, CA
LB Hau’oli Kikaha, Washington 6-3 246 Sr. Laie, HI
LB Paul Dawson, TCU 6-2 230 Sr. Dallas, TX
DB Gerod Holliman, Louisville 6-2 213 Soph. Miami, FL
DB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon @ 5-10 195 Sr. Chino Hills, CA
DB Senquez Golson, Ole Miss 5-9 176 Sr. Pascagoula, MS
DB Landon Collins, Alabama 6-0 222 Jr. New Orleans, LA
P Tom Hackett, Utah 5-11 187 Jr. Melbourne, Australia
KR Jamarcus Nelson, UAB 5-11 160 Sr. Midfield, AL
Second Team Offense
Pos. Name, School Ht Wgt Yr. Hometown
WR Kevin White, West Virginia 6-3 210 Sr. Plainfield, NJ
WR Tyler Lockett, Kansas State # 5-11 175 Sr. Tulsa, OK
TE Maxx Williams, Minnesota 6-4 250 Soph. Waconia, MN
OL Andrus Peat, Stanford 6-7 316 Jr. Chandler, AZ
OL Spencer Drango, Baylor 6-6 310 Jr. Cedar Park, TX
OL A.J. Cann, South Carolina 6-4 311 Sr. Bamberg, SC
OL Arie Kouandjio, Alabama 6-5 316 Sr. Hyattsville, MD
C Hronus Grassu, Oregon 6-3 297 Sr. Los Angeles, CA
QB Trevone Boykin, TCU 6-2 205 Jr. Dallas, TX
RB James Conner, Pittsburgh 6-2 250 Soph. Erie, PA
RB Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska 5-9 195 Sr. Homewood, AL
PK Brad Craddock, Maryland 6-0 185 Jr. Adelaide, Australia
Second Team Defense
Pos. Name, School Ht Wgt Yr. Hometown
DL Malcolm Brown, Texas 6-2 320 Jr. Brenham, TX
DL Leonard Williams, USC 6-5 300 Jr. Daytona Beach, FL
DL Shilique Calhoun, Michigan State @ 6-5 256 Jr. Middletown, NJ
DL Dante Fowler, Jr., Florida 6-3 277 Fr. St. Petersburg, FL
DL Danny Shelton, Washington 6-2 339 Sr. Auburn, WA
LB Jordan Hicks, Texas 6-1 234 Sr. Cincinnati, OH
LB Eric Kendricks, UCLA 6-0 230 Sr. Fresno, CA
LB Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State 6-5 249 Jr. Tunica, MS
DB Jeremy Cash, Duke 6-2 205 Jr. Miami, FL
DB Trae Waynes, Michigan State 6-1 182 Jr. Kenosha, WI
DB Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida 5-11 192 Fr. Tampa, FL
DB Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech 6-0 190 Soph. Baltimore, MD
P Austin Rehkow, Idaho * 6-3 215 Soph. Veradale, WA
KR Tyler Lockett, Kansas State # 5-11 175 Sr. Tulsa, OK