LSU’s Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, Jayden Daniels, headlines The Associated Press’ All-America team, featuring seven players in either their fifth or sixth season of college football.
Daniels, a fifth-year quarterback, captured the Heisman and AP player of the year accolades last week, amassing 50 touchdowns and nearly 5,000 offensive yards this season.
Joining him in the backfield is Missouri’s sixth-year running back, Cody Schrader, who leads the nation with an average of 124.9 rushing yards per game.
NC State linebacker Payton Wilson, also in his sixth year, claimed the Chuck Bednarik Award as the national defensive player of the year.
The first team also includes fifth-year players such as Kansas State’s guard Cooper Beebe, edge rushers Laiatu Latu from UCLA, and Jalen Green from James Madison, along with Texas defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat.
Many college players who experienced the 2020 pandemic season were granted an extra year of eligibility, and their impact continues to be felt across the country.
Notably, eleven more fifth-year players and eight sixth-year players earned spots on the second and third teams.
The AP All-America team features outstanding talent from various conferences, with the SEC leading in first-team selections with nine, followed by the Big Ten, Pac-12, Big 12, independents, and the ACC, MAC, and Sun Belt with one each.
In addition to individual accolades, LSU’s Daniels, alongside his fellow All-Americans, looks forward to the upcoming College Football Playoff and other postseason games as they aim to end their collegiate careers on a high note.