Kansas offensive tackle Tanner Hawkinson was named to The Sporting News Freshman All-America First Team on Wednesday, while linebacker Huldon Tharp, safety Lubbock Smith and wide receiver Bradley McDougald joined him on the outlet’s All-Big 12 Freshman Team.
Hawkinson, a redshirt freshman, started all 12 games at left tackle in his first season on the field. Originally a tight end, the McPherson product also spent some time on the defensive side of
the ball before finding a home protecting quarterback Todd Reesing’s blind side.
Prior to this season, KU landed three players on previous Sporting News Freshman All-America teams: Charles Gordon, Jonathan Lamb and Bob Whitaker, all in 2003.
