Seven repeat honorees highlight 2023 FWAA All-America Team presented by the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic

DALLAS (FWAA) – The 2023 Football Writers Association of America All-America Team, presented in partnership with the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, is highlighted by seven repeat All-Americans, a record 10 players from the four teams competing in the College Football Playoff at the front of players from 36 different schools. There are 22 schools represented from eight Football Bowl Subdivision conferences on the first team and all 10 conferences plus an Independent are included on the overall 54-man team.

“The FWAA All-America Committee has selected another outstanding group of players for our 2023 team,” said 2023 FWAA President Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports. “Over a period of months, long hours go into the selection and the production of this team by the committee: lengthy conference calls and several votes. Since 1944, the FWAA committee has always been geographically diverse, obviously translating into a team this year that honors players from all 10 FBS conferences.”

Michigan, the top seed in the College Football Playoff, and Washington, seeded second, each have three members on the first team to tie for the national lead along with Georgia, Iowa, Missouri and Notre Dame – together those six schools make up one-third of the 54-man team. College Football Playoff teams Alabama, which faces Michigan in the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential in one semifinal, and Texas, which faces Washington in the Allstate Sugar Bowl in the other semifinal, have two members each.

Michigan running back Blake Corum, a second team selection this season, is the only returning All-American among the playoff teams. Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, now the two-time John Mackey Award winner, and Iowa punter Tory Taylor, the two-time Ray Guy Award winner, return to the First Team as does Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State’s playmaking receiver and the Biletnikoff Award winner. Notre Dame offensive lineman Joe Alt was a second-team selection last year, but moves to the first team this season. Notre Dame’s seven All-Americans over the last three seasons are behind only to Georgia (9) and Iowa (8). Linebackers Tommy Eichenberg of Ohio State and Jason Henderson of Old Dominion, the nation’s tackles leader with 170, now have repeat Second Team honors.

Two of the top quarterback-receiver tandems in the nation are represented on the team. LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, the Heisman Trophy and Davey O’Brien Award winner as well as Walter Camp Player of the Year, headlines the first team along with his top target and the nation’s leading receiver, wide receiver Malik Nabers (1,546 yards). They are LSU’s first All-Americans since 2020. Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze (first team) and his quarterback, Maxwell Award winner Michael Penix Jr. (second team), are on the list as well as the Huskies’ best blocker, offensive lineman Troy Fautanu (second Team). Together they are Washington’s first All-Americans since 2018. Penix led the country in passing at 324.5 yards per game. Together, those two passing tandems mark the first time for a school to have a quarterback and a wide receiver on the same All-America team since 2020 when Alabama had Mac Jones (2nd) and DeVonta Smith (1st) on the team.

Iowa was the only school to put three players on the first team, adding linebacker Jay Higgins and defensive back Cooper DeJean along with Taylor. Georgia defensive back Malaki Starks gives Georgia a pair of First Teamers, and adding center Sedrick Van Pran from the Second Team gives Georgia three All-Americans for a third consecutive season.

Texas defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat, who last week won the Outland Trophy as the nation’s best interior lineman, and Notre Dame defensive back Xavier Watts, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner and the nation’s leader in interceptions (seven), are also on the First Team. Kansas State offensive lineman Cooper Beebe, an Outland finalist, is the Wildcats’ first First Team All-America selection since 2014. Illinois defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton and N.C. State linebacker Payton Wilson, both of them Bronko Nagurski finalists along with Watts, Iowa’s DeJean and Georgia’s Starks, join them as First Team members. Wilson, the Bednarik Award winner, gives N.C. State All-Americans in three consecutive seasons for the first time and Newton gives Illinois back-to-back All-Americans for the first time since 1994-95. Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II, the Doak Walker Award winner and the nation’s leading rusher with 1,614 yards, was the lone running back on the First Team.

It was a banner year for the Pac-12 Conference, which had six members on the First Team and 10 overall, its highest count since the 2013 season. Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson, the Rimington Trophy winner, made the First Team alongside Oregon State offensive lineman Taliese Fuaga, and opposite Utah’s Jonah Elliss and UCLA’s Laiatu Latu, who swept the two First Team defensive end spots. Colorado’s Travis Hunter is the First Team all-purpose back.

Missouri, which tied Georgia for the Southeastern Conference lead, has three All-Americans in the same season for the first time, each of them Second Team selections. Running back Cody Schrader is the Tigers’ first All-American at running back since 1965 (B Johnny Roland). Offensive lineman Javon Foster made the team blocking for Schrader. Defensive back Kris Abrams-Draine also made Second Team.

Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner is on the First Team and extends the Crimson Tide’s streak of having an All-American on defense in 15 of the last 16 seasons. Alabama has had at least one All-American every season since 2008. Defensive back Beanie Bishop Jr. of West Virginia is his school’s first First Team All-American since 2014 and one of only five selections from the Big 12.

Missouri has three All-Americans in the same season for the first time, and running back Cody Schrader is the Tigers’ first at running back since 1965 (Johnny Roland).Missouri has three players on the second team – offensive lineman Javon Foster, who was blocking for running back Cody Schrader. Defensive back Kris Abrams-Draine also made second team.

The first team specialists brought a number to historic school marks to the forefront. UNLV kicker Jose Pizano is the Rebels’ first All-American since 1998. Marshall kick returner Jayden Harrison is the Herd’s first first team All-American since 2011 and its first on special teams. Florida Atlantic punt returner LaJohntay Wester is only the Owls’ second All-American. Colorado’s Hunter, the Paul Hornung Award winner, is the first first-team honoree at Colorado since 2010.

The Southeastern Conference led all conferences with 12 and the Big Ten Conference had 11 just ahead of the Pac-12’s 10. The rest of the combined team’s honorees came from the Big 12 (5), Sun Belt (4), Mountain West (3), Independents (3), Atlantic Coast (2), Mid-American (2), American Athletic (1) and Conference USA (1).

There are 13 juniors on the first team along with 11 seniors/graduates and three sophomores. Graduates/Seniors and Juniors have the most representation on the combined team with 24 each with only six underclassmen. Second team kick returner Zachariah Branch of USC is the lone freshman on the team.

Among the second team notes are two teams earning their first FWAA All-Americans in defensive end Jalen Green at James Madison and defensive back Brylan Green at Liberty. Green is second in the nation in sacks with 15.5. Miami (Ohio) kicker Graham Nicholson is the Redhawks’ first All-American since 1974 and only their second overall. Nicholson was the Lou Groza Award this season. Edgerrin Cooper of Texas A&M is the Aggies’ first All-American linebacker since Dat Nguyen in 1998. Defensive back Tyler Nubin gives Minnesota All-Americans in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2004-05. Punter Matthew Hayball is Vanderbilt’s first All-American since 2016. Defensive back Quinyon Mitchell of Toledo is his school’s first All-American on defense since 1971. Penn State’s Olumuyiwa Fashanu is the Nittany Lions’ first All-American on the offensive line since 2008. Virginia’s Malik Washington is the Cavaliers’ first All-American on offense since 2004 after finishing the season catching an FBS-leading 110 passes.

California and Florida led the states from which the All-Americans hailed from with five each. Louisiana heralded four, followed by Georgia, Maryland, Nevada, Texas and Utah with three each. New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania had two each along with Australia.

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

QB Jayden Daniels, LSU, 6-4, 210, Sr., San Bernardino, Calif.
RB Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State, 6-1, 211, So., Fort Worth, Texas
WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State, 6-4, 205, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa.
WR Malik Nabers, LSU, 6-0, 200, Jr., Youngsville, La.
WR Rome Odunze, Washington, 6-3, 215, Jr., Las Vegas, Nev.
TE Brock Bowers, Georgia, 6-4, 240, Jr., Napa, Calif.
OL Joe Alt, Notre Dame, 6-8, 322, Jr., North Oaks, Minn.
OL Cooper Beebe, Kansas State, 6-4, 335, Sr., Kansas City, Kan.
OL Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State, 6-6, 334, Jr., Tacoma, Wash.
OL Zak Zinter, Michigan, 6-6, 322, Sr., North Andover, Mass.
C Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon, 6-3, 320, Jr., Draper, Utah

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

DE Jonah Elliss, Utah, 6-2, 246, Jr., Moscow, Idaho
DE Laiatu Latu, UCLA, 6-5, 265, Sr., Sacramento, Calif.
DT Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois, 6-2, 295, Jr., St. Petersburg, Fla.
DT T’Vondre Sweat, Texas, 6-4, 362, Sr., Huntsville, Texas
LB Jay Higgins, Iowa, 6-2, 233, Sr., Indianapolis, Ind.
LB Dallas Turner, Alabama, 6-4, 252, Jr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
LB Payton Wilson, N.C. State, 6-4, 238, Gr., Hillsborough, N.C.
DB Beanie Bishop Jr., West Virginia, 5-10, 181, Sr., Louisville, Ky.
DB Cooper DeJean, Iowa, 6-1, 207, Jr., Odebolt, Iowa
DB Malaki Starks, Georgia, 6-1, 205, So., Jefferson, Ga.
DB Xavier Watts, Notre Dame, 5-11, 204, Sr., Omaha, Neb.

FIRST TEAM SPECIALISTS

K Jose Pizano, UNLV, 5-9, 220, Sr., Lehi, Utah
P Tory Taylor, Iowa, 6-4, 232, Sr., Melbourne, Australia
KR Jayden Harrison, Marshall, 5-11, 195, Jr., Antioch, Tenn.
PR LaJohntay Wester, Florida Atlantic, 5-11, 167, Jr., Palmetto, Fla.
AP Travis Hunter, Colorado, 6-1, 185, So., Suwanee, Ga.

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE: QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington; RB Blake Corum, Michigan; RB Cody Schrader, Missouri; WR Troy Franklin, Oregon; WR Malik Washington, Virginia; TE Dallin Holker, Colorado State; OL Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State; OL Troy Fautanu, Washington; OL Javon Foster, Missouri; OL JC Latham, Alabama; C Sedrick Van Pran, Georgia. SECOND TEAM DEFENSE: DE Jalen Green, James Madison; DE Mohamed Kamara, Colorado State; DT Howard Cross III, Notre Dame; DT Kris Jenkins, Michigan; LB Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M; LB Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State; LB Jason Henderson, Old Dominion; DB Kris Abrams-Draine, Missouri; DB Brylan Green, Liberty; DB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo; DB Tyler Nubin, Minnesota. SECOND TEAM SPECIALISTS: K Graham Nicholson, Miami (Ohio); P Matthew Hayball, Vanderbilt; KR Zachariah Branch, USC; PR Xavier Worthy, Texas; AP Ismail Mahdi, Texas State.

First Team by Conference: Big Ten 6, Pac-12 6, SEC 5, Big 12 4, Independents 2; ACC 1; American Athletic 1, Mountain West 1, Sun Belt 1, Mid-American 0, Conference USA 0.

Second Team by Conference: SEC 7, Big Ten 5, Pac-12 4, Sun Belt 3, Mid-American 2, Mountain West 2, ACC 1, Independents 1; Big 12 1; Conference USA 1, American Athletic 0.

Combined by Conference: SEC 12; Big Ten 11; Pac-12 10; Big 12 5; Sun Belt 4; Mountain West 3; Independents 3; ACC 2; Mid-American 2; American Athletic 1; Conference USA 1.

First Team by School: Iowa 3, Georgia 2, LSU 2, Notre Dame 2, Alabama 1, Colorado 1, Florida Atlantic 1, Illinois 1, Kansas State 1, Marshall 1, Michigan 1, N.C. State 1, Ohio State 1, Oklahoma State 1, Oregon 1, Oregon State 1, Texas 1, UCLA 1, UNLV 1, Utah 1, Washington 1, West Virginia 1.

Second Team by School: Missouri 3, Colorado State 2, Michigan 2, Washington 2, Alabama 1, Georgia 1, James Madison 1, Liberty 1, Miami (Ohio) 1, Minnesota 1, Notre Dame 1, Ohio State 1, Old Dominion 1, Penn State 1, Texas 1, Texas A&M 1, Texas State 1, Toledo 1, USC 1, Vanderbilt 1, Virginia 1.

Combined by School: Georgia 3, Iowa 3, Michigan 3, Missouri 3, Notre Dame 3, Washington 3, Alabama 2, Colorado State 2, LSU 2, Ohio State 2, Oregon 2, Texas 2, Colorado 1, Florida Atlantic 1, Illinois 1, James Madison 1, Kansas State 1, Liberty 1, Marshall 1, Miami (Ohio) 1, Minnesota 1, N.C. State 1, Oklahoma State 1, Old Dominion 1, Oregon State 1, Penn State 1, Texas A&M 1, Texas State 1, Toledo 1, UCLA 1, UNLV 1, USC 1, Utah 1, Vanderbilt 1, Virginia 1, West Virginia 1.

First team by Class: Juniors 13, Seniors/Graduates 11, Sophomores 3.
Second team by Class: Seniors/Graduates 13, Juniors 11, Sophomores 2, Freshmen 1.
Combined by Class: Juniors 24, Seniors/Graduates 24, Sophomores 5, Freshman 1.

The FWAA All-America Team was first selected in 1944, three years after the organization was formed. The FWAA’s inaugural team included Army’s Heisman Trophy tandem of Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis and Georgia Tech’s Frank Broyles, who later became Arkansas’ head football coach and athletic director.

Since 1945, the FWAA All-America Team has been among the five teams used to formulate the NCAA’s annual consensus All-America team, which will be announced later this week. Since the 2002 season, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), The Associated Press, The Sporting News and the Walter Camp Football Foundation have joined the FWAA as the five designated selectors by the NCAA.

Over the years, the FWAA team has highlighted all the game’s great players in several media forums. From 1946-70, LOOK magazine published the FWAA team and brought players and selected writers to New York City for a celebration. During that 25-year period, the FWAA team was introduced on national television shows by such noted hosts as Bob Hope, Steve Allen and Perry Como.

After LOOK folded, the FWAA started a long association with NCAA Films (later known as NCAA Productions), which produced a 30-minute television program. The team was part of ABC-TV’s 1981 College Football Series. From 1983-90, the team was introduced on either ABC or ESPN. In 2002 and ‘03, the All-America team was honored with a banquet at the Citrus Bowl.

The same bowl also was a sponsor when the team was featured on ABC and ESPN from different locations on Disney properties from 2004-07. From 2008-10, the team had been the subject of a one-hour ESPN special.

For seven decades the FWAA has selected an All-America team with the help of its members and an All-America Committee, which represents all the regions in the country. From that All-America team, the FWAA also selects the Outland Trophy winner (best interior lineman) and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner (best defensive player).

Some of the true greats of the writing profession have helped to select this team over the years: Grantland Rice, Bert McGrane, Blackie Sherrod, Furman Bisher, Pat Harmon, Fred Russell, Edwin Pope, Murray Olderman, Paul Zimmerman – and the list goes on and on. The FWAA All-America team is steeped in tradition and history and is selected by a writers’ group with those same attributes.

Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of journalists, broadcasters, publicists, photographers and key executives in all areas of college football. The FWAA works to govern media access and gameday operations while presenting awards and honors, including an annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its programs and initiatives, contact Executive Director Steve Richardson at 214-870-6516 or tiger@fwaa.com.

The Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic will play host to the Missouri Tigers and the Ohio State Buckeyes on Friday, Dec. 29 at 8 p.m. ET. The 88th Goodyear Cotton Bowl is the 15th Classic to be played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Historic notes from among the team leaders with multiple All-America selections:

• Michigan earned three All-Americans in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1948-49 (E Dick Rifenburg, G Dominic Tomasi, T Alvin Wistert (2nd).
• Including three this season, Georgia’s nine All-Americans the last 3 seasons is the FBS’ best three-year total since Alabama and Oklahoma each had 10 from 2016-18.
• Notre Dame’s Alt is its first two-time All-American on the offensive line since Leon Hart in 1948-49.
• Iowa’s Taylor is the Hawkeyes’ third special teams All-American of the last 5 seasons, and their three All-Americans extend a streak of having at least two to a fifth consecutive season.
• Missouri running back Cody Schrader is the Tigers’ first All-American at running back since 1965 (Johnny Roland).
• Washington’s Odunze is UW’s first All-American on offense since 2016 when it had three (OL Trey Adams, DB Budda Baker, WR John Ross)
• Texas’ Sweat is the Longhorns’ first All-American on the defensive line since 2014 (DL Malcolm Brown), and along with PR Xavier Worthy (2T) gives Texas two AA’s in same season for first time since 2017.
• Alabama, with Turner and Latham representing this year, has had at least one All-American every season since 2008.
• Colorado State, with tight end Dallin Holker and defensive end Mohamed Kamara on the Second Team, has two All-Americans in the same season for the first time.
• Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. and Tommy Eichenberg are its first pair of Buckeye teammates to become two-time All-Americans together in successive seasons. Harrison is Ohio State’s fifth wide receiver All-American of the last four seasons, and OSU has had an All-American on offense in 9 of the last 10 seasons.
• Oregon’s Powers-Johnson is the Ducks’ second consecutive All-American center (Alex Forsyth in 2022). Oregon has now had an All-American on either the offensive or defensive line each of the past six seasons.

2023 FWAA All-America Committee: Kirk Bohls, Austin American-Statesman (Chair); Travis L. Brown, Bryan-College Station Eagle; Ken Capps, Freelance; Angelique Chengelis, Detroit News; Brett Ciancia, Pick Six Previews; Scott Dochterman, The Athletic; Scott Farrell, collegepressbox.com; Bryan Fischer, FOX Sports; John Hoover, All Sooners; Mike Huguenin, Freelance; Shehan Jeyarajah, CBS Sports; Emily Leiker, Syracuse Post-Standard; Ben Portnoy, Sports Business Journal; Tony Siracusa, Last Word on College Football; Phil Steele, Phil Steele Publications; Susan Storey, JMA Sports; Dusty Thibodeaux, WarhawkReport.com; Ryan Thorburn, Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune; John Wagner, County News Review (Minn.); Jon Wilner, Bay Area News Group.