Alabama Has Most On Writers’ Team

Alabama leads the way in selections for the Football Writers Association of America All-America Team as five Crimson Tide players were name to the squad, which was selected for the 68th year. The Southeastern Conference dominated the team with 10 players, twice as many as the next highest from any league, five from the Big 12.

Alabama, which has been the nation’s most dominant team on defense, placed three defenders on the FWAA All-America team. The Tide also placed two offensive players on the team, Doak Walker winner and Heisman Trophy finalist tailback Trent Richardson, and Outland Trophy-winning tackle Barrett Jones.

Of the 10 SEC players named to the team, seven were on offense, where Alabama and LSU are considered the nation’s top two teams. Bama and the Fighting Tigers had three defensive players each. Georgia had the seventh.

Alabama defensive players selected are safety Mark Barron, cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, and linebacker Courtney Upshaw.

Alabama and LSU will meet in the BCS National Championship Game in New Orleans on Jan. 9.

Eleven of the 25 players selected to the team by the All-America committee come from the nation's top three teams. No. 2 Alabama led all teams with five FWAA All-Americans, followed by three each from No. 1 LSU and No. 3 Oklahoma State. The Cowboys, one of college football's most potent scoring teams, placed two players on the offensive side of the ball and another on special teams.

There were five FWAA All-America repeat selections, including two receivers, Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon and Oklahoma's Ryan Broyles. Alabama defensive back Mark Barron and Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly also earned All-America honors for the second straight season. Kicker Quinn Sharp from Oklahoma State made the team last season as a punter.

Selected on the team from LSU were defensive lineman Sam Montgomery and defensive backs Morris Claiborne and Tyrann Mathieu. Also selected on defense was linebacker Jarvis Jones of Georgia. Also from the SEC, Joe Adams of Arkansas was picked as the kcik return specialist.

Robert Griffin III of Baylor was the team’s quarterback.