Five Alabama Football Players Receive Associated Press All-America Recognition
12/12/2022 11:04:00 AM | Football
Anderson Jr. earned first-team honors, Branch named to second team, while three others garnered third-team recognition
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. received Associated Press First Team All-America honors Monday, while defensive back Brian Branch was named to the second team and Jahmyr Gibbs (AP), Kool-Aid McKinstry (DB) and Jordan Battle (S) each garnered third-team recognition.
First Team, Linebacker
- Became the first player since 2012 (Manti Te'o) to sweep the Bronco Nagurski Award, Lombardi Award and Lott Trophy
- Recorded 51 tackles, including 17 for loss (-72 yards) and 10 sacks (-54 yards), during his junior season
- Led Alabama in tackles for loss, sacks and quarterback hurries (12)
- Enters bowl season ranked sixth nationally in sacks and seventh in tackles for loss while leading the SEC in both categories
- Also contributed a team-high 12 quarterback hurries to go with one pass breakup, a blocked field goal and a 25-yard pick-six
Second Team, Defensive Back
- AP Second Team All-SEC
- Recorded 78 tackles on the season, good for third on the Tide
- Second on team with 10 tackles for loss (-34 yards) including a pair of sacks (-11 yards)
- Added seven pass breakups, an interception and two quarterback hurries
Third Team, Safety
- Coaches First Team All-SEC
- AP Second Team All-SEC
- Named a semifinalist for the Lott Trophy
- Recorded 62 tackles on the year to go with two pass breakups
Third Team, All Purpose
- AP and Coaches Second Team All-SEC, earning the honor at both running back and all-purpose positions
- Combined for 1,455 all-purpose yards on the season, leading Alabama in rushing, receiving and kick return yards on the season
- Went for 850 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground this year to lead UA
- Hauled in 42 receptions on the year that went for 378 yards and three scores, while also compiling 227 kickoff return yards for the year
Third Team, Cornerback
- FWAA Second Team All-America honoree as a punt returner
- AP and Coaches First Team All-SEC
- A standout defender at corner who led UA in pass breakups (12)
- Has 34 tackles, including two for loss (-16 yards) and one sack (-12 yards)
- Paces the conference and ranks second in Division I for punt return average at 15.8 yards per return
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