University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt’s Ford and Twyman Named to Phil Steele All-America Team
12/23/2019 3:00:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH—A pair of Pitt sophomores, safety Paris Ford and defensive tackle Jaylen Twyman, have been named to the Phil Steele All-America Team released today.
Additionally, junior defensive end Patrick Jones II received Honorable Mention recognition.
Ford, a third-team All-America selection, established himself as one of the most impactful ball hawks in all of college football. The leading tackler on Pitt's nationally ranked defense with 86 stops, he also paces the Panthers with three interceptions and 14 total passes defended.
Ford (Pittsburgh, Pa./Steel Valley) has been described as Pitt's most devastating hitter in at least two decades. He ranks 20th nationally in forced fumbles (0.25 per game) and 28th in passes defended (1.2 per game).
Earlier this month, Ford was named first team All-ACC by the league's official voting panel and Associated Press.
Twyman (Washington, D.C./H.D. Woodson) was a second-team Phil Steele All-America honoree. He has now been named to six different All-America squads, including Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, Sporting News, Walter Camp and The Athletic.
Twyman paces the Panthers with 12 tackles for loss and 10.5 quarterback sacks. The last time an interior defensive lineman (nose tackle or defensive tackle) led Pitt in sacks was in 2013, when unanimous All-American Aaron Donald had 11.
Twyman changed his jersey to number 97 this season in tribute to Donald, who is now a perennial All-Pro for the Los Angeles Rams.
Twyman also was a first-team All-ACC selection (official team and AP).
Jones (Chesapeake, Va./Grassfield) leads the ACC and ranks fifth nationally in forced fumbles (0.33 per game; four total). As a pass rusher, He has compiled 8.5 sacks and a team-high 18 quarterback hurries. Jones, who also garnered All-ACC (second team) honors, shares the team lead with 12 tackles for loss.
As a team, Pitt ranks 11th in the nation in total defense (302.5 yards per game), 11th in rushing defense (106.9 yards per game) and 20th in passing defense (195.6 yards per game).
The Panthers have compiled 49 team sacks—their most since 1987—and rank second nationally with an average of 4.08 sacks per game.
Pitt closes the 2019 campaign on December 26, when they face Eastern Michigan in Detroit's Quick Lane Bowl at Ford Field. The game will be nationally televised by ESPN and kick off at 8 p.m.
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Additionally, junior defensive end Patrick Jones II received Honorable Mention recognition.
Ford, a third-team All-America selection, established himself as one of the most impactful ball hawks in all of college football. The leading tackler on Pitt's nationally ranked defense with 86 stops, he also paces the Panthers with three interceptions and 14 total passes defended.
Ford (Pittsburgh, Pa./Steel Valley) has been described as Pitt's most devastating hitter in at least two decades. He ranks 20th nationally in forced fumbles (0.25 per game) and 28th in passes defended (1.2 per game).
Earlier this month, Ford was named first team All-ACC by the league's official voting panel and Associated Press.
Twyman (Washington, D.C./H.D. Woodson) was a second-team Phil Steele All-America honoree. He has now been named to six different All-America squads, including Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, Sporting News, Walter Camp and The Athletic.
Twyman paces the Panthers with 12 tackles for loss and 10.5 quarterback sacks. The last time an interior defensive lineman (nose tackle or defensive tackle) led Pitt in sacks was in 2013, when unanimous All-American Aaron Donald had 11.
Twyman changed his jersey to number 97 this season in tribute to Donald, who is now a perennial All-Pro for the Los Angeles Rams.
Twyman also was a first-team All-ACC selection (official team and AP).
Jones (Chesapeake, Va./Grassfield) leads the ACC and ranks fifth nationally in forced fumbles (0.33 per game; four total). As a pass rusher, He has compiled 8.5 sacks and a team-high 18 quarterback hurries. Jones, who also garnered All-ACC (second team) honors, shares the team lead with 12 tackles for loss.
As a team, Pitt ranks 11th in the nation in total defense (302.5 yards per game), 11th in rushing defense (106.9 yards per game) and 20th in passing defense (195.6 yards per game).
The Panthers have compiled 49 team sacks—their most since 1987—and rank second nationally with an average of 4.08 sacks per game.
Pitt closes the 2019 campaign on December 26, when they face Eastern Michigan in Detroit's Quick Lane Bowl at Ford Field. The game will be nationally televised by ESPN and kick off at 8 p.m.
#H2P | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
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