Iowa State’s Breece Hall and Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr. Headline the 2021 AFCA FBS Coaches’ All-America Teams
December 15, 2021
Iowa State running back Breece Hall and Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. headline the 2021 AFCA FBS Coaches’ All-America Teams announced today by the American Football Coaches Association.
The AFCA has selected an All-America team since 1945 and currently selects teams in all five of its divisions. What makes these teams so special is that they are the only ones chosen exclusively by the men who know the players the best — the coaches themselves.
RELATED ARTICLE: Central’s Blaine Hawkins and Monmouth’s Korbyn Personett Headline the 2021 AFCA Division III Coaches’ All-America Teams
A two-time AFCA All-American, Hall led the nation in scoring (138 points), total touchdowns (23) and rushing touchdowns (20). He had 1,464 yards rushing on 253 carries and added 302 receiving yards to rank him fourth in the nation in all-purpose yards at 147.17 yards per game.
Anderson Jr. leads the nation in tackles for loss with 32.5, and sacks with 15.5. He totaled 92 tackles, good for second on the Alabama defense, while adding a team-high nine quarterback hurries and two pass breakups.
2021 AFCA FBS Coaches’ All-America Team – First Team
Offense
Pos Name Ht. Wt. Cl. School Coach Hometown (High School)
WR Chris Olave 6-1 188 Sr. Ohio State Ryan Day San Ysidro, Calif. (Mission Hills)
WR David Bell 6-2 205 Jr. Purdue Jeff Brohm Indianapolis, Ind. (Warren Central)
TE Trey McBride 6-4 260 Sr. Colorado State Steve Addazio Fort Morgan, Colo. (Fort Morgan)
OL Evan Neal 6-7 350 Jr. Alabama Nick Saban Okeechobee, Fla. (IMG Academy)
OL Darian Kinnard 6-5 345 Sr. Kentucky Mark Stoops Knoxville, Tenn. (St. Ignatius (Ohio))
C Tyler Linderbaum 6-3 290 Jr. Iowa Kirk Ferentz Solon, Iowa (Solon)
OL Ikem Ekwonu 6-4 320 So. NC State Dave Doeren Charlotte, N.C. (Providence Day)
OL Thayer Munford 6-6 320 Sr. Ohio State Ryan Day Cincinnati, Ohio (Massillon Washington)
QB Kenny Pickett 6-3 220 R-Sr. Pittsburgh Pat Narduzzi Oakhurst, N.J. (Ocean Township)
RB *Breece Hall 6-1 220 Jr. Iowa State Matt Campbell Wichita, Kan. (Northwest)
RB Kenneth Walker III 5-10 210 Jr. Michigan State Mel Tucker Arlington, Tenn. (Arlington)
Defense
Pos Name Ht. Wt. Cl. School Coach Hometown (High School)
DL *Jordan Davis 6-6 340 Sr. Georgia Kirby Smart Charlotte, N.C. (Mallard Creek)
DL Aidan Hutchinson 6-6 265 Sr. Michigan Jim Harbaugh Plymouth, Mich. (Divine Child)
DL Kayvon Thibodeaux 6-5 258 So. Oregon Mario Cristobal Los Angeles, Calif. (Oaks Christian)
DL George Karlaftis 6-4 275 Jr. Purdue Jeff Brohm West Lafayette, Ind. (West Lafayette)
LB Will Anderson Jr. 6-4 243 So. Alabama Nick Saban Hampton, Ga. (Dutchtown)
LB Nakobe Dean 6-0 225 Jr. Georgia Kirby Smart Horn Lake, Miss. (Horn Lake)
LB Leo Chenal 6-2 261 Jr. Wisconsin Paul Chryst Grantsburg, Wis. (Grantsburg)
DB Jalen Pitre 6-0 197 Sr. Baylor Dave Aranda Stafford, Tex. (Stafford)
DB *Ahmad Gardner 6-3 200 Jr. Cincinnati Luke Fickell Detroit, Mich. (Martin Luther King)
DB Coby Bryant 6-1 198 Gr. Cincinnati Luke Fickell Cleveland, Ohio (Glenville)
DB *Kyle Hamilton 6-4 220 Jr. Notre Dame Brian Kelly Atlanta, Ga. (Marist School)
Specialists
Pos Name Ht. Wt. Cl. School Coach Hometown (High School)
P Matt Araiza 6-2 200 Jr. San Diego State Brady Hoke San Diego, Calif. (Rancho Bernardo)
PK Jake Moody 6-1 211 Sr. Michigan Jim Harbaugh Northville, Mich. (Northville)
AP Jayden Reed 6-0 185 R-Jr. Michigan State Mel Tucker Naperville, Ill. (Central)
LS Cal Adomitis 6-2 250 R-Sr. Pittsburgh Pat Narduzzi Pittsburgh, Pa. (Central Catholic)
*–2020 AFCA All-American
2021 AFCA FBS Coaches’ All-America Team – Second Team
Offense
Pos Name Ht. Wt. Cl. School Coach Hometown (High School)
WR Jameson Williams 6-2 189 Jr. Alabama Nick Saban St. Louis, Mo. (Cardinal Ritter College Prep)
WR Jordan Addison 6-0 175 So. Pittsburgh Pat Narduzzi Frederick, Md. (Tuscarora)
TE Michael Mayer 6-4 251 So. Notre Dame Brian Kelly Independence, Ky. (Covington Catholic)
OL Zion Johnson 6-3 316 Gr. Boston College Jeff Hafley Bowie, Md. (Riverdale Baptist)
OL Jamaree Salyer 6-4 325 Sr. Georgia Kirby Smart Atlanta, Ga. (Pace Academy)
C Zach Frazier 6-3 306 So. West Virginia Neal Brown Fairmont, W.Va. (Senior)
OL Andrew Stueber 6-7 338 Gr. Michigan Jim Harbaugh Darien, Conn. (Darien)
OL *Kenyon Green 6-4 325 Jr. Texas A&M Jimbo Fisher Humble, Tex. (Atascocita)
QB Bryce Young 6-0 194 So. Alabama Nick Saban Pasadena, Calif. (Mater Dei)
RB Hassan Haskins 6-1 220 Sr. Michigan Jim Harbaugh St. Louis, Mo. (Eureka Senior)
RB Sean Tucker 5-10 210 Fr. Syracuse Dino Babers Owings Mills, Md. (Calvert Hall)
Defense
Pos Name Ht. Wt. Cl. School Coach Hometown (High School)
DL Phidarian Mathis 6-4 312 R-Sr. Alabama Nick Saban Wisner, La. (Neville)
DL Jermaine Johnson II 6-5 262 R-Sr. Florida State Mike Norvell Eden Prairie, Minn. (Eden Prairie)
DL Jalen Carter 6-3 310 So. Georgia Kirby Smart Apopka, Fla. (Apopka)
DL DeMarvin Leal 6-4 290 Jr. Texas A&M Jimbo Fisher San Antonio, Tex. (Judson)
LB Quay Walker 6-4 240 Sr. Georgia Kirby Smart Cordele, Ga. (Crisp County)
LB Malcolm Rodriguez 5-11 225 Sr. Oklahoma State Mike Gundy Wagoner, Okla. (Wagoner)
LB Devin Lloyd 6-3 235 Jr. Utah Kyle Whittingham Chula Vista, Calif. (Otay Ranch)
DB Jordan Battle 6-1 210 Jr. Alabama Nick Saban Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (St. Thomas Aquinas)
DB Matt Hankins 6-0 185 Sr. Iowa Kirk Ferentz Lewisville, Tex. (Marcus)
DB Verone McKinley III 5-11 194 So. Oregon Mario Cristobal Carrollton, Tex. (Hebron)
DB Jaquan Brisker 6-1 200 Sr. Penn State James Franklin Pittsburgh, Pa. (Gateway)
Specialists
Pos Name Ht. Wt. Cl. School Coach Hometown (High School)
P Jordan Stout 6-3 209 R-Sr. Penn State James Franklin Cedar Bluff, Va. (Honaker)
PK Noah Ruggles 6-2 190 Gr. Ohio State Ryan Day Odessa, Fla. (Steinbrenner)
AP Deuce Vaughn 5-6 173 So. Kansas State Chris Klieman Round Rock, Tex. (Cedar Ridge)
LS Matt Hembrough 6-3 215 R-Sr. Oklahoma State Mike Gundy Lisle, Ill. (Benet)
*–2020 AFCA All-American
Team Background: The teams now chosen for each of the AFCA’s five divisions evolved from a single 11-player squad in 1945. From 1945 until 1967, only one team was chosen. From 1967 through 1971, two teams, University Division and College Division, were selected. In 1972, the College Division was split into College I and College II. In 1979, the University Division was split into two teams — Division I-A and Division I-AA. In 1996, the College I and College II teams were renamed Division II and Division III, respectively. In 2006, the Division I-A and Division I-AA teams were renamed Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), respectively. The AFCA started selecting an NAIA All-America Team in 2006. In 2016, the AFCA added a second team All-America.
Top Teams: With their six selections in 2021, Alabama has had the most players named to the AFCA FBS Coaches’ All-America Team. The Crimson Tide has been represented 101 times by 94 players on the AFCA team. They are followed by Ohio State (78/61); Oklahoma (73/64); Notre Dame (70/62); Michigan (65/59); USC (59/52); Texas (52/46); Nebraska (51/46); Georgia (48/41); LSU (45/39); Florida State (42/38); Clemson (39/35); Penn State (38/36); Auburn (37/35); Miami (Fla.) (36/35); UCLA (36/34), Tennessee (33/31); Pittsburgh (33/30) and Wisconsin (32/30).
Repeat After Me: Ohio State has the most players who have been repeat selections (17 players). The Buckeyes are followed by Oklahoma (9); Notre Dame (8); USC (7); Alabama (7); Michigan (6); Texas (6); Arkansas (5); Georgia (6); LSU (6); and Nebraska (5).
Iowa State running back Breece Hall, Georgia defensive lineman Jordan Davis, Cincinnati defensive back Ahmad Gardner, Notre Dame defensive back Kyle Hamilton and Texas A&M offensive lineman Kenyon Green earned AFCA FBS Coaches’ All-America honors for a second consecutive season in 2021.
Three-Timer: Clemson’s Travis Etienne (2018-20) joins former Tiger Christian Wilkins, Houston’s Ed Oliver, and Georgia’s Herschel Walker as the only three-time AFCA FBS Coaches’ All-Americans in the 76-year history of the team. Walker earned his All-America honors from 1980 to 1982, while Wilkins and Oliver earned their picks from 2016 to 2018.
Double Duos: Teammates have earned back-to-back Coaches’ All-America honors in the same season eight times. Alabama’s Minkah Fitzpatrick and JK Scott (2016 and 2017) join USC’s Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush (2004 and 2005); Army’s Glenn Davis and Doc Blanchard (1945 and 1946); Notre Dame’s George Connor and Johnny Lujack (1946 and 1947); Michigan State’s Bubba Smith and George Webster (1966 and 1967); Ohio State’s Jack Tatum and Jim Stillwagon (1969 and 1970); Notre Dame’s Ken MacAfee and Ross Browner (1976 and 1977) and Colorado’s Joe Garten and Alfred Williams (1989 and 1990).
Consecutive Years: Notre Dame holds the record for consecutive years with at least one player on the AFCA Coaches’ All-America Team at 19 seasons (1963-1981). Nebraska had at least one player 12 straight seasons (1978-1989), which places the Cornhuskers second. Alabama (2011-21), who has the current active streak, Michigan (1969-1979), Oklahoma (1971-1981), USC (1972-82) and Miami (Fla.) (1984-1994) are next with 11 straight seasons. Pittsburgh placed one player on the AFCA team for 10 straight seasons from 1975-1984.
It’s Been A While: Wide receiver David Bell and defensive lineman George Karlaftis earned AFCA Coaches’ All-America Team honors for Purdue for the first time since 2010 when Ryan Kerrigan was named as a defensive lineman.
Excellent Eight: Alabama’s eight selections (Jerry Jeudy, WR; Jonah Williams, OL; Tua Tagovailoa, QB; Quinnen Williams, DL; Deionte Thompson, DB; Irv Smith Jr., TE; Isaiah Buggs, DL; Mack Wilson, LB) in 2018 are the most players from any one school on a single AFCA FBS Coaches’ All-America Team.
One Player, Two Schools: Offensive lineman Dustin Rivera joins tight end Jacob Maher, placekicker Cole Tracy, punter Mark Bounds and placekicker Greg Zuerlein as the only players to earn AFCA Coaches’ All-America honors at two different schools. Rivera was a three-time AFCA NAIA All-America at Southwestern (Kan.) from 2018 to spring 2021, then earned All-America honors in fall of 2021 at Ottawa (Ariz.). Maher was named to the Division III Coaches’ All-America Team in 2017 while at Worcester State, then repeated the honor in 2019 after transferring to Framingham State. Tracy earned second team AFCA All-America honors in Division II at Assumption College in 2017, then transferred to LSU in 2018 and earned second team FBS All-America honors. Bounds was named to the AFCA College Division I team in 1990 while playing for West Texas A&M. He transferred to Texas Tech after West Texas dropped football and earned I-A All-America honors as a Red Raider in 1991. Zuerlein was named to the Division II Coaches’ All-America Team in 2009 while playing for Nebraska-Omaha. He transferred to Missouri Western State after Nebraska-Omaha dropped its football program and earned AFCA Division II honors in 2011 as a Griffon.
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
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Iowa State running back Breece Hall and Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. headline the 2021 AFCA FBS Coaches’ All-America Teams announced today by the American Football Coaches Association.
The AFCA has selected an All-America team since 1945 and currently selects teams in all five of its divisions. What makes these teams so special is that they are the only ones chosen exclusively by the men who know the players the best — the coaches themselves.
RELATED ARTICLE: Central’s Blaine Hawkins and Monmouth’s Korbyn Personett Headline the 2021 AFCA Division III Coaches’ All-America Teams
A two-time AFCA All-American, Hall led the nation in scoring (138 points), total touchdowns (23) and rushing touchdowns (20). He had 1,464 yards rushing on 253 carries and added 302 receiving yards to rank him fourth in the nation in all-purpose yards at 147.17 yards per game.
Anderson Jr. leads the nation in tackles for loss with 32.5, and sacks with 15.5. He totaled 92 tackles, good for second on the Alabama defense, while adding a team-high nine quarterback hurries and two pass breakups.
2021 AFCA FBS Coaches’ All-America Team – First Team
Offense
| Pos | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | School | Coach | Hometown (High School) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WR | Chris Olave | 6-1 | 188 | Sr. | Ohio State | Ryan Day | San Ysidro, Calif. (Mission Hills) |
| WR | David Bell | 6-2 | 205 | Jr. | Purdue | Jeff Brohm | Indianapolis, Ind. (Warren Central) |
| TE | Trey McBride | 6-4 | 260 | Sr. | Colorado State | Steve Addazio | Fort Morgan, Colo. (Fort Morgan) |
| OL | Evan Neal | 6-7 | 350 | Jr. | Alabama | Nick Saban | Okeechobee, Fla. (IMG Academy) |
| OL | Darian Kinnard | 6-5 | 345 | Sr. | Kentucky | Mark Stoops | Knoxville, Tenn. (St. Ignatius (Ohio)) |
| C | Tyler Linderbaum | 6-3 | 290 | Jr. | Iowa | Kirk Ferentz | Solon, Iowa (Solon) |
| OL | Ikem Ekwonu | 6-4 | 320 | So. | NC State | Dave Doeren | Charlotte, N.C. (Providence Day) |
| OL | Thayer Munford | 6-6 | 320 | Sr. | Ohio State | Ryan Day | Cincinnati, Ohio (Massillon Washington) |
| QB | Kenny Pickett | 6-3 | 220 | R-Sr. | Pittsburgh | Pat Narduzzi | Oakhurst, N.J. (Ocean Township) |
| RB | *Breece Hall | 6-1 | 220 | Jr. | Iowa State | Matt Campbell | Wichita, Kan. (Northwest) |
| RB | Kenneth Walker III | 5-10 | 210 | Jr. | Michigan State | Mel Tucker | Arlington, Tenn. (Arlington) |
Defense
| Pos | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | School | Coach | Hometown (High School) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DL | *Jordan Davis | 6-6 | 340 | Sr. | Georgia | Kirby Smart | Charlotte, N.C. (Mallard Creek) |
| DL | Aidan Hutchinson | 6-6 | 265 | Sr. | Michigan | Jim Harbaugh | Plymouth, Mich. (Divine Child) |
| DL | Kayvon Thibodeaux | 6-5 | 258 | So. | Oregon | Mario Cristobal | Los Angeles, Calif. (Oaks Christian) |
| DL | George Karlaftis | 6-4 | 275 | Jr. | Purdue | Jeff Brohm | West Lafayette, Ind. (West Lafayette) |
| LB | Will Anderson Jr. | 6-4 | 243 | So. | Alabama | Nick Saban | Hampton, Ga. (Dutchtown) |
| LB | Nakobe Dean | 6-0 | 225 | Jr. | Georgia | Kirby Smart | Horn Lake, Miss. (Horn Lake) |
| LB | Leo Chenal | 6-2 | 261 | Jr. | Wisconsin | Paul Chryst | Grantsburg, Wis. (Grantsburg) |
| DB | Jalen Pitre | 6-0 | 197 | Sr. | Baylor | Dave Aranda | Stafford, Tex. (Stafford) |
| DB | *Ahmad Gardner | 6-3 | 200 | Jr. | Cincinnati | Luke Fickell | Detroit, Mich. (Martin Luther King) |
| DB | Coby Bryant | 6-1 | 198 | Gr. | Cincinnati | Luke Fickell | Cleveland, Ohio (Glenville) |
| DB | *Kyle Hamilton | 6-4 | 220 | Jr. | Notre Dame | Brian Kelly | Atlanta, Ga. (Marist School) |
Specialists
| Pos | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | School | Coach | Hometown (High School) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | Matt Araiza | 6-2 | 200 | Jr. | San Diego State | Brady Hoke | San Diego, Calif. (Rancho Bernardo) |
| PK | Jake Moody | 6-1 | 211 | Sr. | Michigan | Jim Harbaugh | Northville, Mich. (Northville) |
| AP | Jayden Reed | 6-0 | 185 | R-Jr. | Michigan State | Mel Tucker | Naperville, Ill. (Central) |
| LS | Cal Adomitis | 6-2 | 250 | R-Sr. | Pittsburgh | Pat Narduzzi | Pittsburgh, Pa. (Central Catholic) |
*–2020 AFCA All-American
2021 AFCA FBS Coaches’ All-America Team – Second Team
Offense
| Pos | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | School | Coach | Hometown (High School) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WR | Jameson Williams | 6-2 | 189 | Jr. | Alabama | Nick Saban | St. Louis, Mo. (Cardinal Ritter College Prep) |
| WR | Jordan Addison | 6-0 | 175 | So. | Pittsburgh | Pat Narduzzi | Frederick, Md. (Tuscarora) |
| TE | Michael Mayer | 6-4 | 251 | So. | Notre Dame | Brian Kelly | Independence, Ky. (Covington Catholic) |
| OL | Zion Johnson | 6-3 | 316 | Gr. | Boston College | Jeff Hafley | Bowie, Md. (Riverdale Baptist) |
| OL | Jamaree Salyer | 6-4 | 325 | Sr. | Georgia | Kirby Smart | Atlanta, Ga. (Pace Academy) |
| C | Zach Frazier | 6-3 | 306 | So. | West Virginia | Neal Brown | Fairmont, W.Va. (Senior) |
| OL | Andrew Stueber | 6-7 | 338 | Gr. | Michigan | Jim Harbaugh | Darien, Conn. (Darien) |
| OL | *Kenyon Green | 6-4 | 325 | Jr. | Texas A&M | Jimbo Fisher | Humble, Tex. (Atascocita) |
| QB | Bryce Young | 6-0 | 194 | So. | Alabama | Nick Saban | Pasadena, Calif. (Mater Dei) |
| RB | Hassan Haskins | 6-1 | 220 | Sr. | Michigan | Jim Harbaugh | St. Louis, Mo. (Eureka Senior) |
| RB | Sean Tucker | 5-10 | 210 | Fr. | Syracuse | Dino Babers | Owings Mills, Md. (Calvert Hall) |
Defense
| Pos | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | School | Coach | Hometown (High School) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DL | Phidarian Mathis | 6-4 | 312 | R-Sr. | Alabama | Nick Saban | Wisner, La. (Neville) |
| DL | Jermaine Johnson II | 6-5 | 262 | R-Sr. | Florida State | Mike Norvell | Eden Prairie, Minn. (Eden Prairie) |
| DL | Jalen Carter | 6-3 | 310 | So. | Georgia | Kirby Smart | Apopka, Fla. (Apopka) |
| DL | DeMarvin Leal | 6-4 | 290 | Jr. | Texas A&M | Jimbo Fisher | San Antonio, Tex. (Judson) |
| LB | Quay Walker | 6-4 | 240 | Sr. | Georgia | Kirby Smart | Cordele, Ga. (Crisp County) |
| LB | Malcolm Rodriguez | 5-11 | 225 | Sr. | Oklahoma State | Mike Gundy | Wagoner, Okla. (Wagoner) |
| LB | Devin Lloyd | 6-3 | 235 | Jr. | Utah | Kyle Whittingham | Chula Vista, Calif. (Otay Ranch) |
| DB | Jordan Battle | 6-1 | 210 | Jr. | Alabama | Nick Saban | Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (St. Thomas Aquinas) |
| DB | Matt Hankins | 6-0 | 185 | Sr. | Iowa | Kirk Ferentz | Lewisville, Tex. (Marcus) |
| DB | Verone McKinley III | 5-11 | 194 | So. | Oregon | Mario Cristobal | Carrollton, Tex. (Hebron) |
| DB | Jaquan Brisker | 6-1 | 200 | Sr. | Penn State | James Franklin | Pittsburgh, Pa. (Gateway) |
Specialists
| Pos | Name | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | School | Coach | Hometown (High School) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | Jordan Stout | 6-3 | 209 | R-Sr. | Penn State | James Franklin | Cedar Bluff, Va. (Honaker) |
| PK | Noah Ruggles | 6-2 | 190 | Gr. | Ohio State | Ryan Day | Odessa, Fla. (Steinbrenner) |
| AP | Deuce Vaughn | 5-6 | 173 | So. | Kansas State | Chris Klieman | Round Rock, Tex. (Cedar Ridge) |
| LS | Matt Hembrough | 6-3 | 215 | R-Sr. | Oklahoma State | Mike Gundy | Lisle, Ill. (Benet) |
*–2020 AFCA All-American
Team Background: The teams now chosen for each of the AFCA’s five divisions evolved from a single 11-player squad in 1945. From 1945 until 1967, only one team was chosen. From 1967 through 1971, two teams, University Division and College Division, were selected. In 1972, the College Division was split into College I and College II. In 1979, the University Division was split into two teams — Division I-A and Division I-AA. In 1996, the College I and College II teams were renamed Division II and Division III, respectively. In 2006, the Division I-A and Division I-AA teams were renamed Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), respectively. The AFCA started selecting an NAIA All-America Team in 2006. In 2016, the AFCA added a second team All-America.
Top Teams: With their six selections in 2021, Alabama has had the most players named to the AFCA FBS Coaches’ All-America Team. The Crimson Tide has been represented 101 times by 94 players on the AFCA team. They are followed by Ohio State (78/61); Oklahoma (73/64); Notre Dame (70/62); Michigan (65/59); USC (59/52); Texas (52/46); Nebraska (51/46); Georgia (48/41); LSU (45/39); Florida State (42/38); Clemson (39/35); Penn State (38/36); Auburn (37/35); Miami (Fla.) (36/35); UCLA (36/34), Tennessee (33/31); Pittsburgh (33/30) and Wisconsin (32/30).
Repeat After Me: Ohio State has the most players who have been repeat selections (17 players). The Buckeyes are followed by Oklahoma (9); Notre Dame (8); USC (7); Alabama (7); Michigan (6); Texas (6); Arkansas (5); Georgia (6); LSU (6); and Nebraska (5).
Iowa State running back Breece Hall, Georgia defensive lineman Jordan Davis, Cincinnati defensive back Ahmad Gardner, Notre Dame defensive back Kyle Hamilton and Texas A&M offensive lineman Kenyon Green earned AFCA FBS Coaches’ All-America honors for a second consecutive season in 2021.
Three-Timer: Clemson’s Travis Etienne (2018-20) joins former Tiger Christian Wilkins, Houston’s Ed Oliver, and Georgia’s Herschel Walker as the only three-time AFCA FBS Coaches’ All-Americans in the 76-year history of the team. Walker earned his All-America honors from 1980 to 1982, while Wilkins and Oliver earned their picks from 2016 to 2018.
Double Duos: Teammates have earned back-to-back Coaches’ All-America honors in the same season eight times. Alabama’s Minkah Fitzpatrick and JK Scott (2016 and 2017) join USC’s Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush (2004 and 2005); Army’s Glenn Davis and Doc Blanchard (1945 and 1946); Notre Dame’s George Connor and Johnny Lujack (1946 and 1947); Michigan State’s Bubba Smith and George Webster (1966 and 1967); Ohio State’s Jack Tatum and Jim Stillwagon (1969 and 1970); Notre Dame’s Ken MacAfee and Ross Browner (1976 and 1977) and Colorado’s Joe Garten and Alfred Williams (1989 and 1990).
Consecutive Years: Notre Dame holds the record for consecutive years with at least one player on the AFCA Coaches’ All-America Team at 19 seasons (1963-1981). Nebraska had at least one player 12 straight seasons (1978-1989), which places the Cornhuskers second. Alabama (2011-21), who has the current active streak, Michigan (1969-1979), Oklahoma (1971-1981), USC (1972-82) and Miami (Fla.) (1984-1994) are next with 11 straight seasons. Pittsburgh placed one player on the AFCA team for 10 straight seasons from 1975-1984.
It’s Been A While: Wide receiver David Bell and defensive lineman George Karlaftis earned AFCA Coaches’ All-America Team honors for Purdue for the first time since 2010 when Ryan Kerrigan was named as a defensive lineman.
Excellent Eight: Alabama’s eight selections (Jerry Jeudy, WR; Jonah Williams, OL; Tua Tagovailoa, QB; Quinnen Williams, DL; Deionte Thompson, DB; Irv Smith Jr., TE; Isaiah Buggs, DL; Mack Wilson, LB) in 2018 are the most players from any one school on a single AFCA FBS Coaches’ All-America Team.
One Player, Two Schools: Offensive lineman Dustin Rivera joins tight end Jacob Maher, placekicker Cole Tracy, punter Mark Bounds and placekicker Greg Zuerlein as the only players to earn AFCA Coaches’ All-America honors at two different schools. Rivera was a three-time AFCA NAIA All-America at Southwestern (Kan.) from 2018 to spring 2021, then earned All-America honors in fall of 2021 at Ottawa (Ariz.). Maher was named to the Division III Coaches’ All-America Team in 2017 while at Worcester State, then repeated the honor in 2019 after transferring to Framingham State. Tracy earned second team AFCA All-America honors in Division II at Assumption College in 2017, then transferred to LSU in 2018 and earned second team FBS All-America honors. Bounds was named to the AFCA College Division I team in 1990 while playing for West Texas A&M. He transferred to Texas Tech after West Texas dropped football and earned I-A All-America honors as a Red Raider in 1991. Zuerlein was named to the Division II Coaches’ All-America Team in 2009 while playing for Nebraska-Omaha. He transferred to Missouri Western State after Nebraska-Omaha dropped its football program and earned AFCA Division II honors in 2011 as a Griffon.
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
