Henderson, Johnson Garner More All-America Honors

Dec. 12, 2016

    PITTSBURGH—Pitt senior offensive guard Dorian Johnson and sophomore all-purpose player Quadree Henderson garnered additional All-America recognition today, reinforcing their status as two of the finest talents in college football.

    Johnson has been named a first team All-American by ESPN.com, the third outlet to honor him as a first-team selection. Previously, Johnson was named a first team All-American by SI.com and Sporting News. He was a second-team pick by the Walter Camp Football Foundation.

    Henderson was named a first team All-American as a kickoff returner by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), the fifth different selector to bestow first-team honors on him. Henderson was previously named a first-team pick by SI.com, Sporting News, USA TODAY and Walter Camp. Additionally, the Associated Press named him a second-team selection as an all-purpose player.

    Johnson (Belle Vernon, Pa./Belle Vernon Area) is the first Pitt offensive lineman to be selected a first team All-American in 22 years. He was a vital contributor to the highest scoring offense in Pitt history. The Panthers have compiled a record 508 points this season and boast the nation's No. 10 scoring offense at 42.3 points per game.

    Johnson did not surrender a single sack this year. He was also integral for a Pitt ground attack that produced 35 touchdowns, the fourth most among Power 5 teams. One of the country’s top pro prospects, Johnson will play in the prestigious Senior Bowl all-star game in January.   

    Henderson (Wilmington, Del./Alexis I. du Pont) is the first All-America return man in Pitt history. He has four returns for touchdowns this season, including a nation-leading three on kickoffs. Henderson ranks second in the country in combined kick return yards (1,121) and fifth in kickoff return average (31.1).

    Henderson is also among the country's top all-purpose players, ranking 11^th with an average of 159.75 per game. He has compiled 1,917 all-purpose yards, the fifth highest total in Pitt history. If Henderson hits his average in the Panthers’ bowl game, he will become only the second Pitt player to reach 2,000 all-purpose yards in a season. Legendary tailback Tony Dorsett, who had 2,217 all-purpose yards during his 1976 Heisman Trophy season, is the only Pitt player to reach that milestone.  

    Pitt will face Northwestern in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl on December 28 in New York City. The game, played at iconic Yankee Stadium, will kick off at 2 p.m., and be nationally televised by ESPN.

    The Panthers enter the postseason with an 8-4 record and boasting Top 25 rankings in the Associated Press poll (No. 22) and College Football Playoff ratings (No. 23).

PITT 2016 ALL-AMERICA SELECTIONS (as of Dec. 12)  

Quadree Henderson—Wide Receiver/Kick Returner

Football Writers Association of America All-American, Kick Returner (first team)

SI.com All-American, Kick Returner (first team)

Sporting News All-American, Kick Returner (first team)

USA TODAY All-American, Kick Returner (first team)

Walter Camp All-American, Kick Returner (first team)

Associated Press All-American, All-Purpose Player (second team)

Dorian Johnson—Offensive Guard

ESPN.com All-American (first team)

SI.com All-American (first team)

Sporting News All-American (first team)