Pitt Trio Earns All-America Accolades from FWAA
12/9/2022 12:00:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH—Three Pitt players have been named to the 2022 Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) All-America Team, presented in partnership with the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, it was announced today.
Calijah Kancey earned first-team defensive lineman honors, while Israel Abanikanda (running back) and Erick Hallett II (defensive back) received second-team recognition.
Pitt's three overall FWAA selections tied for second among all schools.
Kancey (Miami, Fla./Miami Northwestern) was named a first team All-American for the second time in as many days by an NCAA-recognized selector. He was previously honored by the Walter Camp Football Foundation.
The 6-foot, 280-pound junior defensive tackle 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.
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.
Hallett (Cypress, Texas/Cy-Fair) was responsible for a Pitt-high six turnovers this season (three interceptions and three fumble recoveries). He leads the ACC and ranks third in the country in recovered fumbles. The senior safety additionally compiled 47 tackles, three tackles for loss and 12 total passes defended while playing in all 12 games.
The FWAA and Walter Camp teams are among the five used in the NCAA's selection of an annual consensus All-America team for college football. The others are the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Associated Press and Sporting News, each of which will be announced in the coming days.
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Calijah Kancey earned first-team defensive lineman honors, while Israel Abanikanda (running back) and Erick Hallett II (defensive back) received second-team recognition.
Pitt's three overall FWAA selections tied for second among all schools.
Kancey (Miami, Fla./Miami Northwestern) was named a first team All-American for the second time in as many days by an NCAA-recognized selector. He was previously honored by the Walter Camp Football Foundation.
The 6-foot, 280-pound junior defensive tackle 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.
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.
Hallett (Cypress, Texas/Cy-Fair) was responsible for a Pitt-high six turnovers this season (three interceptions and three fumble recoveries). He leads the ACC and ranks third in the country in recovered fumbles. The senior safety additionally compiled 47 tackles, three tackles for loss and 12 total passes defended while playing in all 12 games.
The FWAA and Walter Camp teams are among the five used in the NCAA's selection of an annual consensus All-America team for college football. The others are the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Associated Press and Sporting News, each of which will be announced in the coming days.
#H2P | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
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