AP Names Four Tigers as Preseason All-Americans
Offensive lineman Sean Pollard also earns Wuerffel Trophy nomination.
CLEMSON, S.C. — The Associated Press announced today that defensive lineman Clelin Ferrell, tackle Mitch Hyatt, defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence and defensive lineman Christian Wilkins have all earned preseason AP All-America honors. Ferrell, Hyatt and Wilkins all earned first-team selections, while Lawrence was a second-team honoree.
Clemson's three first-team selections are tied with Wisconsin for the most from a single school among this year's group. Clemson is one of only four schools to feature at least four total selections, joining Alabama, Wisconsin and Stanford.
Three of the four players earned AP All-America honors in 2017. Ferrell was a first-team selection last season after recording 18.0 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. Hyatt and Wilkins both earned second-team selections last year after helping the Tigers to a 12-2 record and the program's third consecutive ACC title.
In addition, the Wuerffel Trophy recently announced that Clemson offensive lineman Sean Pollard has been nominated for the Wuerffel Trophy, which annually honors the FBS player that best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement. Pollard created and coordinated the All Off for Cancer event in 2017 and 2018, raising more than $21,000 to provide funds and activities for pediatric oncology patients and their families. Pollard joins Wilkins as one of two members of Clemson's roster nominated for this year's award.
[via Clemson Athletic Communications]
SAMUEL NAMED TO TWO ALL-AMERICA TEAMS Gamecock All-Purpose Performer Earns National Accolades COLUMBIA, S.C. – University of South Carolina standout performer Deebo Samuel continues to gain preseason national accolades. Today, he was named to the 2018 preseason first-team All-America squad by ESPN as an all-purpose performer, and was also named to the 2018 preseason Associated Press’s second-team All-America unit as an all-purpose player. Here’s what ESPN said about the six-foot, 210-pound senior from Inman, S.C.: A broken leg ended Samuel's 2017 season after just three games, but he's back for 2018 and warrants consideration as one of the best threats in the country with the ball in his hands. Look no further than his explosive 2016 campaign, when Samuel had 1,320 all-purpose yards and became one of just six Power 5 players in the past five years to record a passing, rushing, receiving and kickoff-return touchdown in the same season. Samuel and the Gamecocks will get their season underway on Saturday, Sept. 1, when Carolina hosts Coastal Carolina in a noon kickoff at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia. SEC Network will televise the game with Taylor Zarzour and Matt Stinchcomb in the booth and Kris Budden working the sidelines.
[via South Carolina Athletic Communications]
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