First-team All-America accolades continue to roll in for University of South Carolina senior defensive end Melvin Ingram.
Sporting News magazine has announced its All-American teams, as well as
its All-Freshman squad. Ingram was a first-team All-American, while
first-year players Jadeveon Clowney and Mike Matulis were named to the All-Freshman unit.
Sporting News is one of only five All-American groups the NCAA
uses to determine its consensus All-Americans. Ingram was previously
named to the AFCA, Walter Camp and Associated Press first-team squads,
making him a consensus 2011 All-American. He is the first Gamecock to be
considered a consensus All-American since Del Wilkes in 1984 and just
the third overall, joining Wilkes and George Rogers (1980).
Ingram, a 6-2, 276-pounder from Hamlet, N.C., led the Gamecocks
with 13.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks. He also intercepted two
passes, was credited with six quarterback hurries and scored three
touchdowns, including a 68-yard scamper on a fake punt in the Gamecocks'
win at Georgia.
Clowney, a 6-6, 254-pound defensive end from Rock Hill, S.C., was
credited with 32 tackles on the season. He was ninth in the SEC with
6.0 sacks, the only freshman in the top 20, and was tied for 14th in the
league with 10.0 tackles for loss. He also tied for third in the SEC
and tied for eighth in the country with five forced fumbles. He was a
second-team All-SEC selection and the SEC Freshman of the Year,
according to the league's coaches.
Matulis, a 6-5, 274-pound offensive tackle from Boynton Beach,
Fla. was considered a redshirt candidate when the season began, but came
on strong as the season progressed. He made his first start at left
tackle against Auburn, then started the final three games of the season
at right tackle.
Courtesy: GamecocksOnline.com
