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Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Three Jayhawks AP All-America

Collins, Talib KU's first first-teamers since 1983; McClinton second-team

By Ryan Wood

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KU trio tapped as AP All-Americans

Kansas University juniors Anthony Collins and Aqib Talib were named to the All-America first team by the Associated Press on Tuesday. In addition, KU senior James McClinton was named to the second team.

'Hawks preparing for Orange Bowl despite weather woes

As freezing rain and icy temperatures continue to assault Lawrence, the Kansas football team moves forward with its preparations for a January trip to Florida.

KU All-America selections

KU players who have earned first-team All-America honors by the Associated Press:

1947 - Ray Evans

1947 - Otto Schnellbacher

1951 - George Mrkonic

1952 - Gil Reich

1952 - Oliver Spencer

1960 - John Hadl

1961 - John Hadl

1963 - Gale Sayers

1964 - Gale Sayers

1968 - Bobby Douglass

1968 - John Zook

1973 - David Jaynes

1983 - Bruce Kallmeyer

2007 - Anthony Collins

2007 - Aqib Talib

It had been 24 years - long even for Kansas University - since a Jayhawk was honored on the football All-America first team by the Associated Press.

Just to make sure Kansas crashed the party hard, there's two on the list this year - and one more knocking on the door.

KU junior cornerback Aqib Talib and junior left tackle Anthony Collins both were named first-team All-America by the AP on Tuesday. The 12-member media panel also put senior defensive tackle James McClinton on the second team.

It's the Jayhawks' best representation ever on the AP team. Kansas twice had two players on the first team - in 1947 and 1968 - but never two on the first team and another on the second.

Collins and Talib broke a trend of KU players unable to find the national spotlight for more than two decades. Not since kicker Bruce Kallmeyer made first team in 1983 had a KU player been recognized so highly.

"It's a great honor, and it is definitely a team award," Collins said. "We earned a lot of respect with the season we had."

For Talib, Tuesday's news sent his legacy to another level - he will now be recognized as a consensus All-American by the NCAA. Talib was named first-team All-America by all five of the teams that the NCAA recognizes - AP, The Sporting News, the Football Writers Association. of America, the American Football Coaches Association and the Walter Camp Foundation.

Talib posted 61 tackles, four interceptions and 13 pass breakups this season for the 11-1 Jayhawks, leading the defense back to respectability after a troublesome 2006 campaign.

"I am happy to win this award," said Talib, a promising NFL prospect. "It is another example of the great season we have had at Kansas. I want to thank my teammates, (defensive coordinator) Bill Young and the whole coaching staff, because none of this would be possible without them."

Collins, meanwhile, was a wall at left tackle, protecting quarterback Todd Reesing's blindside in the 11 games he played in. The 6-foot-5, 315-pound Collins also was a finalist for the Outland Trophy, given to the nation's top interior lineman.

"I love the award, I am happy and I appreciate it," Collins said. "The more you win, the more players from your team can make All-American. I hope we all continue to get more awards."

Tuesday's news could help any of the three secure a spot someday in the Memorial Stadium Ring of Honor, which currently has the names of 15 greats around the north bowl of the stadium. Being an AP All-American is not a requirement nor an automatic ticket. But it certainly gives each of them a great case.

Of course, any announcement or ceremony likely would be years down the road.

Collins, Talib and McClinton boosted the number of Mark Mangino-bred players to be recognized by the AP to five. Cornerback Charles Gordon was a third-team All-American in 2004, and linebacker Nick Reid made the third team in 2005.

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Comments

Nutflush21 (anonymous) says...

Does anyone know what the criteria are for making the Ring of Honor?

December 12, 2007 at 6:18 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

scootja32 (anonymous) says...

Stay four years

December 12, 2007 at 6:45 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

scootja32 (anonymous) says...

seriously though. if aqib did stay, he'd be there

December 12, 2007 at 6:46 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

sevenyearhawk (anonymous) says...

one more year!

one more year!

one more year!

December 12, 2007 at 8:01 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

McGuzzo23 (anonymous) says...

Talib it was great having you at Kansas and will be great to have you in the Orange Bowl, but you need to go to the NFL and get your paycheck. He's got a family to support and he's done so much for Kansas. He can't be any higher of prospect than he is right now.

December 12, 2007 at 8:17 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

b_asinbeer (anonymous) says...

Well said McGuzzo. He's had a great year. Like all KU fans, we would love for him to stay, but it would suit him better to leave while his stock his so high.

December 12, 2007 at 8:23 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

justanotherfan (anonymous) says...

My observation has always been that if you are a first day selection (formerly rounds 1-3) then you need to go. Very rarely will a team cut a first, second or third round choice, even if they get hurt during training camp. At the next level you need to be given an opportunity to succeed, and those early picks are guaranteed that by virtue of the fact that the people that picked them don't want to look silly for wasting a high pick on a guy that couldn't play.

That said, Talib needs to go out and get some advice. Early in the year, I was certain that he was a low first, high second round pick. However, some other guys moved up this year with their performances, so he needs to find out where he stands now.

AC is even more interesting. He plays a premium NFL position (LT), but may get moved to RT or even guard. If he's a lock as an NFL LT, he may be a top 3 round pick. If he may get moved, he drops down because guards and right tackles aren't in as much demand.

December 12, 2007 at 8:30 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jpstrayer (anonymous) says...

Regarding 1968 history repeating itself...I certainly hope that isn't true for the Orange Bowl outcome. Here's to a Jayhawk victory!

December 12, 2007 at 8:33 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

sevenyearhawk (anonymous) says...

*ding ding ding*

"... and with the seventh overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select Anthony Collins of the University of Kansas!"

December 12, 2007 at 10:14 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Dottehawk (anonymous) says...

The author mentions being a first team All American is not a guarantee of being on the Ring of Honor, but I would point out that every ku first team All-American is in fact, on the ring of honor. Not a guarantee, but those are nice odds...

December 12, 2007 at 10:52 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

ohioburg (anonymous) says...

College success and awards (see Heisman) do not always translate to success in the pros. Whether they stay or go, I hope it's based on the best information from the most qualified sources - not what friends, family, agents, or columnists say.

December 12, 2007 at 11:01 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jhwkfan162515 (anonymous) says...

Way to go, AT! Stay with us one more year and you're in the Ring of Honor for sure!

December 12, 2007 at 11:29 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

okjhok (anonymous) says...

The best thing about it is that no matter if they stay or they both leave, the Jayhawks are still in good shape to replace them. I think Talib will be easier to replace than Collins just based on what we have coming back in Harper and Harris, but the depth chart is deep all around.

December 12, 2007 at 12:18 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

seattlehawk_78 (anonymous) says...

If they have first round draft status it's hard to see either of them staying. I would love to see both of them playing on Saturday next season but I also want what's in their best interest.

Let's hope neither hires the same agent that Charles Gordon signed with.

December 12, 2007 at 12:38 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ohjayhawk (anonymous) says...

Regardless of whether they make the Ring of Honor, it appears both are now eligible for the KU Hall of fame...

----------------------------------------

Eligibility for Individuals

Individual athletes and teams shall be eligible for the Hall of Fame by achieving any of the following (five-year waiting period after the Hall of Fame qualifications have been achieved):

* NCAA First Team All-American in the "primary" recognized poll - Team Sports (Baseball, Basketball, Football, Rowing, Soccer, Softball, Volleyball)

----------------------------------------

I used to think one had to be a consensus AA (which would qualify Talib, but not Collins), but the info above from the KU Athletics website makes me think both are. I wouldn't see why the AP AA list wouldn't be the "primary" recognized poll.

December 12, 2007 at 12:47 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

fabio (anonymous) says...

Looks like weve got another offensive lineman in this years class. This guy is a juco
http://www.kansas.rivals.com/viewpros...

December 12, 2007 at 1:03 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Joe Ross) says...

fabio, nice dig!

Nathan D' Cunha, huh? He's HUGE!!! 307 pounds!

What do you bet he's christened with the nickname "Big Cahuna" when he comes to campus?

December 12, 2007 at 4:28 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

txrockchalk (anonymous) says...

jross,

Did you recently win the lottery or something?? It seems like you have been in a particularly jovial mood since your return to the posts a few weeks ago, not to mention you have been posting like a madman. It's good to see you back :o)

December 12, 2007 at 4:49 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

100 (anonymous) says...

Good job Lawrence Journal World. Two days in a row with football lead stories. Great job Talib, McClinton and Collins. You all absolutely earned it.

If you have a moment, take a look at the front page of ESPN right now.

That's the kind of stuff our local journalists need to be doing everyday. Different angles on the same theme -- let's face it, we're being shut out of the championship due to a one TD loss on a neutral field to the number 4 team in the country. Be creative LJW.

www.espn.go.com

December 12, 2007 at 4:54 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

RckChalkJeff (anonymous) says...

100 you suck,

Yipieee 2 days with football articles...who cares. Im a KU fan....so im interested in our #3 Basketball team too...moron

December 12, 2007 at 5:31 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

NH_JHawk (anonymous) says...

I agree with 100. Nice to see the FB team grabbing headlines for a change. Hopefully this trend continues. What gives RckChalk Jeff? You a 1 sport fan?

December 12, 2007 at 6:41 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

seattlehawk_78 (anonymous) says...

I expect to see both playing on Sunday next year but I don't believe the loss of good players hurts us as much as it once did. Some were predicting a mediocre season because of our lack of a ground game due to the graduation of Cornish but as we all know his backups filled in nicely. There are good players waiting to get their chance at every position, all they need is the opportunity. I have no doubt that Mark would love to have Aqib and AC in uniform next year but I don't think he's going to sweat it.

December 12, 2007 at 7:18 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

actorman (anonymous) says...

Congrats to all three of our All-Americans -- although James got robbed, he should have been first team too.

Now, as for the sentence, "Just to make sure Kansas crashed the party hard, there's two on the list this year ...," I'm wondering if it will be MORE than 24 years before I see someone use the word "are" in a sentence again. Has it become a virtual impossibility for anyone to ever say "there ARE" when it's referring to more than one item??? I know I'm being picky, but that kind of stuff just grates on my nerves.

December 12, 2007 at 7:41 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

actorman (anonymous) says...

And BTW, RckChalkJeff, it's obviously time for you to take your meds. Just because you don't agree with someone who likes a couple of headlines about football doesn't mean you have to get so nasty.

December 12, 2007 at 7:42 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

scootja32 (anonymous) says...

i think he was referring to the fact that everyday during this football season 100 would go to the basketball boards and complain and complain that everyone needed to focus on football alone

December 12, 2007 at 11:43 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

RckChalkJeff (anonymous) says...

Thank you scootja32. And NH_JHawk read my comment again...I said "I'm interested in our #3 Basketball team TOO..." In case you dont know, the word TOO means "ALSO"...so see if you can figure out if I'm a "1 sport fan"

December 13, 2007 at 10:09 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Joe Ross) says...

txrockchalk...

torrid pace, huh? *smiles*

December 16, 2007 at 6:19 p.m. ( | suggest removal )