Pitt’s Kancey and Abanikanda Named AP All-Americans
12/12/2022 12:30:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH—Pitt defensive tackle Calijah Kancey and running back Israel Abanikanda have been named to the Associated Press All-America Football Team, the news agency announced this afternoon.
Kancey was honored on the first team, while Abanikanda was a third-team selection.
For Kancey (Miami, Fla./Miami Northwestern), it is his third first-team All-America honor from an NCAA-recognized selector. He previously was recognized by the Walter Camp Football Foundation and Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).
The 6-foot, 280-pound junior compiled 31 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in 11 games played this season. His average of 1.32 TFLs per game ranks 16th nationally and first among the nation's interior defenders.
Kancey's additional postseason honors include being named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and College Football Network's National Defensive Tackle of the Year.
Abanikanda (Brooklyn, N.Y./Abraham Lincoln) rushed for 1,431 yards and 20 touchdowns on 239 carries (6.0 avg.) over 11 contests. He leads the country in rushing touchdowns, total TDs (21) and scoring (11.6 points per game).
The junior speedster additionally ranks second nationally in all-purpose yards (164.09 avg.) and seventh in rushing (130.1 avg.). Abanikanda previously was named a first team All-American by CBS Sports.
Associated Press is one of the five teams used in the NCAA's selection of an annual college football consensus All-America team. The other four are Walter Camp, FWAA, Sporting News (announced Dec. 13) and American Football Coaches Association (announced Dec. 14).
CALIJAH KANCEY POSTSEASON ACCOLADES
Associated Press All-American (first team)
Football Writers Association of America All-American (first team)
Walter Camp All-American (first team)
CBS Sports All-American (first team)
Pro Football Focus All-American (first team)
College Football Network National Defensive Tackle of the Year
ACC Defensive Player of the Year
First Team All-ACC
Bronko Nagurski Trophy Finalist (National Defensive Player of the Year)
Outland Trophy Finalist (Nation's Best Interior Lineman)
ISRAEL ABANIKANDA POSTSEASON ACCOLADES
CBS Sports All-American (first team)
Football Writers Association of America All-American (second team)
Associated Press All-American (third team)
First Team All-ACC
Doak Walker Award Semifinalist (Nation's Top Running Back)
Maxwell Award Semifinalist (National Player of the Year)
Walter Camp Award Semifinalist (National Player of the Year)
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Kancey was honored on the first team, while Abanikanda was a third-team selection.
For Kancey (Miami, Fla./Miami Northwestern), it is his third first-team All-America honor from an NCAA-recognized selector. He previously was recognized by the Walter Camp Football Foundation and Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).
The 6-foot, 280-pound junior compiled 31 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in 11 games played this season. His average of 1.32 TFLs per game ranks 16th nationally and first among the nation's interior defenders.
Kancey's additional postseason honors include being named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and College Football Network's National Defensive Tackle of the Year.
Abanikanda (Brooklyn, N.Y./Abraham Lincoln) rushed for 1,431 yards and 20 touchdowns on 239 carries (6.0 avg.) over 11 contests. He leads the country in rushing touchdowns, total TDs (21) and scoring (11.6 points per game).
The junior speedster additionally ranks second nationally in all-purpose yards (164.09 avg.) and seventh in rushing (130.1 avg.). Abanikanda previously was named a first team All-American by CBS Sports.
Associated Press is one of the five teams used in the NCAA's selection of an annual college football consensus All-America team. The other four are Walter Camp, FWAA, Sporting News (announced Dec. 13) and American Football Coaches Association (announced Dec. 14).
CALIJAH KANCEY POSTSEASON ACCOLADES
Associated Press All-American (first team)
Football Writers Association of America All-American (first team)
Walter Camp All-American (first team)
CBS Sports All-American (first team)
Pro Football Focus All-American (first team)
College Football Network National Defensive Tackle of the Year
ACC Defensive Player of the Year
First Team All-ACC
Bronko Nagurski Trophy Finalist (National Defensive Player of the Year)
Outland Trophy Finalist (Nation's Best Interior Lineman)
ISRAEL ABANIKANDA POSTSEASON ACCOLADES
CBS Sports All-American (first team)
Football Writers Association of America All-American (second team)
Associated Press All-American (third team)
First Team All-ACC
Doak Walker Award Semifinalist (Nation's Top Running Back)
Maxwell Award Semifinalist (National Player of the Year)
Walter Camp Award Semifinalist (National Player of the Year)
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