Talib, Collins, McClinton Named AP All-Americans
Dec. 11, 2007
<?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas juniors Aqib Talib and Anthony Collins were named first-team All-Americans by the Associated Press, while teammate James McClinton was tabbed a second-team selection it was announced on Monday.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
Talib, a cornerback from Richardson, Texas and Collins, an offensive tackle from Beaumont, Texas, are the first Kansas players to earn AP first-team All-America honors since Bruce Kallmeyer in 1983.
The duo becomes the 14th and 15th first-team AP All-America selections for KU all-time. This also marks the fourth time in school history KU landed teammates on the AP first-team in the same season. The three total selections are the most in a season in school history as well.
“I am happy to win this award,” Talib said. “It is another example of the great season we have had at Kansas. I want to thank my teammates, coach Bill Young (defensive coordinator) and the whole coaching staff, because none of this would be possible without them.”
Previous Jayhawks who were first-team picks in the same year included Ray Evans and Otto Schnellbacher in 1947, Gil Reich and Oliver Spencer in 1952, and Bobby Douglass and John Zook in 1968.
“It is a great honor and it is definitely a team award,” Collins said. “We earned a lot of respect with the season we had. I love the award, I am happy and I appreciate it. The more you win, the more players from your team can make All-American. I hope we all continue to get more awards.”
McClinton, a senior defensive tackle from Garland, Texas, became the third Jayhawk to earn second-team accolades by AP, as he joined Willie Pless (184) and Dana Stubblefield (1992).
KU’s most recent AP All-America selections were Charles Gordon and Nick Reid, who were third-team choices in 2004 and 2005 respectively.
Head Coach Mark Mangino has now had five of his players earn first, second or third-team AP All-America honors in his tenure.
This season Talib has recorded 61 tackles, including 3.5 for loss, while adding four interceptions and 13 pass break ups. Collins has averaged nearly nine knockdowns per game, while paving the way for an offense that ranks second in the country in scoring (44.33 points per game) and sixth in total offense (491 yards per game).
McClinton has made 38 tackles, including 11 for loss. The Kansas defense ranks 11th in the country in tackles for loss (7.92 per contest), while ranking fifth in scoring defense (16.00) and 14th in total defense (318.25 yards per game).
The Jayhawks, who are ranked eighth in the BCS poll, will play third-ranked Virginia Tech in the FedEx Orange Bowl on Jan. 3.
Kansas First-Team AP All-Americans
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
Kansas Second-Team AP All-Americans
1984 – Willie Pless
1992 – Dana Stubblefield
2007 – James McClinton
Kansas Third-Team AP All-Americans
1991 – Tony Sands
2004 – Charles Gordon
2005 – Nick Reid
Kansas Honorable Mention AP All-Americans
1975 – Nolan Cromwell
