The American Football Coaches Association released its All-America team Wednesday morning, a list that includes six players from the Southeastern Conference. Four of the six athletes represented Alabama football in running back Derrick Henry, linebacker Reggie Ragland, offensive lineman Ryan Kelly and defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson.
Henry led the conference and nation in rushing this season, totaling 1,986 yards and 23 touchdowns. He swept the College Football Awards, winning Maxwell, Doak Walker and Walter Camp national honors. The junior became Alabama’s second Heisman winner in school history.
Ragland anchored a defensive front that is second nationally in total defense (258 ypg), first in run defense (74.0 ypg), third in scoring defense (14.4 ppg) and first in sacks (46). He led the team in tackles (90) and had 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, six pass breakups, six quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles. Ragland was the SEC’s Defensive Player of the Year.
Kelly captained an offensive line that blocked for 34.1 points, 208.2 rushing yards and 422.5 total yards per game.
He guided Henry to nine 100-yard rushing outings and four 200-yard games. Kelly was the recipient of the SEC’s Scholar Athlete of the Year award and Jacobs Blocking Trophy. He won this year’s Rimington Trophy as the nation’s top center.
Robinson was a crucial member on a defensive line that generated 46 sacks, the most under Alabama head coach Nick Saban. He finished the regular season with 42 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, nine quarterback hurries, two pass breakups, a fumble recovery and a blocked kick.
Robinson was a finalist for the Outland Trophy and has been named to multiple All-America teams.
Listed below are all six SEC players that made AFCA All-America team
TE Hunter Henry, Arkansas
OC Ryan Kelly, Alabama
RB Derrick Henry, Alabama
DL A’Shawn Robinson, Alabama
LB Reggie Ragland, Alabama
CB Vernon Hargreaves, III, Florida
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
