Washington State University Athletics
O’Connell Named Walter Camp, USA Today All-American
December 08, 2016 | Football
PULLMAN, Wash. - Washington State left guard Cody O'Connell earned two more First-Team All-America accolades from the Walter Camp Football Foundation and the USA Today, it was announced Thursday.
The redshirt-junior from Wenatchee, Wash was named to The Walter Camp All-America First Team, the nation's oldest All-America Team, and also the USA Today All-America First Team. O'Connell was also placed on the All-America Teams by Pro Football Focus and The Sporting News Wednesday.
O'Connell (6-8, 354) is Washington State's first Walter Camp First-Team All-American since kicker Jason Hanson in 1989 and is the first Cougar offensive lineman to earn All-American First Team honors since Derrick Roche in 2002. Last season, left tackle Joe Dahl was a second-team All-American by the USA Today.
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 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.
O'Connell, nicknamed "The Continent" by coach Mike Leach, was named to the Midseason All-American First Team by FOX Sports and CBSSports.com and to the Midseason All-America Second Team by SportsIllustrated. 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 to The Walter Camp All-America First Team, the nation's oldest All-America Team, and also the USA Today All-America First Team. O'Connell was also placed on the All-America Teams by Pro Football Focus and The Sporting News Wednesday.
O'Connell (6-8, 354) is Washington State's first Walter Camp First-Team All-American since kicker Jason Hanson in 1989 and is the first Cougar offensive lineman to earn All-American First Team honors since Derrick Roche in 2002. Last season, left tackle Joe Dahl was a second-team All-American by the USA Today.
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 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.
O'Connell, nicknamed "The Continent" by coach Mike Leach, was named to the Midseason All-American First Team by FOX Sports and CBSSports.com and to the Midseason All-America Second Team by SportsIllustrated. Most recently, he was ranked the nation's best guards in the country by Pro Football Focus.
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