Washington State University Athletics
O’Connell Named First Team All-America by Associated Press
December 12, 2016 | Football
PULLMAN, Wash. - Washington State left guard Cody O'Connell was named a First-Team All-American by the Associated Press Monday, becoming the first Cougar consensus All-American since running back Jerome Harrison in 2005.
The redshirt-junior from Wenatchee, Wash was named a First-Team All-American by The Walter Camp Football Foundation (the nation's oldest All-America Team) and by The Sporting News.
O'Connell (6-8, 354) is the sixth Cougar to be named Consensus All-America, joining running back Rueben Mayes (1984), offensive lineman Mike Utley (1988), kicker Jason Hanson (1989), defensive tackle Rien Long (2002) and Harrison (2005). He has a chance to be named a unanimous All-American when the FWAA and the AFCA release their All-American teams later this week. Hanson is the only WSU unanimous All-American, appearing on five All-America First Teams in 1989.
O'Connell was also one of three finalists for The Outland Trophy, presented to the best interior lineman in college football on offense or defense since 1946. O'Connell was joined by Ohio State center Pat Elflein and Alabama offensive tackle Cam Robinson, which Robinson winning the award Thursday. O'Connell was the first Cougar Outland Trophy finalist since defensive lineman Rien Long won the award in 2002.
O'Connell, nicknamed "The Continent" by coach Mike Leach, has started 11 games at left guard for the Cougars this season, protecting the nation's second-rated passing offense (370.8) and blocked for a rushing attack that owns seven 100-yard efforts including three 200-yard performances. WSU's rushing offense has improved greatly this season, going from 80.1 ypg in 2015 to 126.8 ypg in 2016. Most recently, he was ranked the nation's best guards in the country by Pro Football Focus.
The redshirt-junior from Wenatchee, Wash was named a First-Team All-American by The Walter Camp Football Foundation (the nation's oldest All-America Team) and by The Sporting News.
O'Connell (6-8, 354) is the sixth Cougar to be named Consensus All-America, joining running back Rueben Mayes (1984), offensive lineman Mike Utley (1988), kicker Jason Hanson (1989), defensive tackle Rien Long (2002) and Harrison (2005). He has a chance to be named a unanimous All-American when the FWAA and the AFCA release their All-American teams later this week. Hanson is the only WSU unanimous All-American, appearing on five All-America First Teams in 1989.
O'Connell was also one of three finalists for The Outland Trophy, presented to the best interior lineman in college football on offense or defense since 1946. O'Connell was joined by Ohio State center Pat Elflein and Alabama offensive tackle Cam Robinson, which Robinson winning the award Thursday. O'Connell was the first Cougar Outland Trophy finalist since defensive lineman Rien Long won the award in 2002.
O'Connell, nicknamed "The Continent" by coach Mike Leach, has started 11 games at left guard for the Cougars this season, protecting the nation's second-rated passing offense (370.8) and blocked for a rushing attack that owns seven 100-yard efforts including three 200-yard performances. WSU's rushing offense has improved greatly this season, going from 80.1 ypg in 2015 to 126.8 ypg in 2016. Most recently, he was ranked the nation's best guards in the country by Pro Football Focus.
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