Rutgers Players Awarded With All-American Status
Five Scarlet Knights Named First Teamers
12/06/2007
Written By: Kirk Herbstreit
ESPN NCAA Football Analyst
[Piscataway, New Jersey]-- Yesterday the awards for All Big East honors were announced. Today, the awards for All-American status was announced, and once again, the number nine ranked Scarlet Knights were well represented.
However, before the first teamers were announced, two Scarlet Knights were honored with individual awards. Place kicker
Jeremy Ito was honored with the Lou Groza Place Kicker Award, which is awarded to the kicker who best exemplifies his passion as a kicker.
Not only did Ito walk away with one of these, but senior safety
Ron Girault was awarded with the Jim Thorpe Award. This award is awarded to the player voted to be the best defensive back in collegiate football.
"They are both great honors, and both those guys deserve it," said head coach
Greg Schiano who was in attendance to see his players receive the awards.
"They both work so hard out there, it's nice to see them finally get some recognition."
Shortly after the individual awards were announced, the All American Freshman team was followed. The Scarlet Knights had two players awarded with the honors, defensive tackle
Wayne Thomas and cornerback
Mason Robinson. Thomas had twenty-two tackles, nine for a loss, and five sacks on the season, while Robinson recorded forty-three tackles, one for a loss, two interceptions, four pass deflections, and recovered two fumbles.
"Both those guys have bright futures and did everything we asked them to filling in for us this year," said Schiano.
Next, the second team All Americans were announced. Schiano had gone to the banquet expecting four players to be named to the first team.
Unfortunately, junior cornerback
Jason McCourty was named a second team All American, but he wasn't complaining.
"Ahh, I'm not disappointed at all," replied McCourty.
"It's still a great honor, and I may have one more year to get those first team honors. Now I'm just hoping Devin gets recognized as a first teamer."
After seeing Big East rivals Steve Slaton, Pat White, and others be named to first team All American honors, Schiano knew it was coming down to the defensive backs. He was nervous, hoping that his boys wouldn't get recognized.
"It's nerve wrecking because you want them to get recognized, you don't want them to be left out when they deserve to be in a class like this."
Then the cornerbacks were announced, and
Devin McCourty's name was the first one read. The sophomore corner had been named a first team All American, along with fellow strong safety Ron Girault and place kicker Jeremy Ito.
"It's great, I'm so proud of these guys, every single one of them deserves it. There were even guys who didn't get invited to attend this that deserve to be here," said Schiano.
However, there was no one happier for Devin then his brother, Jason.
"I'm so proud of him, it's been great playing side by side with him all this time and it's only going to get better as we go on," said Jason.
Next up on the schedule for Coach Schiano and his Scarlet Knights is to learn which Bowl Game they will be accepted to play in. Finishing ninth in the BCS Polls, they figure to be in a top game. But, you can never figure out those polls for sure.
"Nothing is set in stone," said Schiano.
"Sure, we'd like to think we're in the Orange Bowl, or Fiesta Bowl, but the fact is we could end up back in the Texas Bowl, you never know with this system."