WSU’s Cody O’Connell unanimous AP All-American; UW’s John Ross, Budda Baker named 2nd team
Dec 12, 2016, 1:55 PM | Updated: 2:17 pm
Left guard Cody O'Connell is the sixth-ever unanimous AP All-American pick from WSU. (AP)
(AP)
Washington State offensive guard Cody O’Connell is the first Cougars player to be named a consensus Associated Press All-American in 11 years.
The No. 4 Washington Huskies also had a pair of players on the second team All-American list: wide receiver John Ross and safety Budda Baker.
O’Connell, a 6-foot-8, 354-pound redshirt junior from Wenatchee, is the sixth Cougar to earn consensus AP All-American honors and the first since running back Jerome Harrison in 2005. One of three finalists for The Outland Trophy, awarded annually since 1946 to the best interior lineman in college football, O’Connell started 11 games at left guard for WSU, helping protect the second-rated passing offense in the country and blocking for a run game that eclipsed 100 yards seven times and 200 yards three times.
Ross, who last week was named the AP’s Pac-12 offensive player of the year, has 1,122 yards and 17 touchdowns on 76 receptions this year, his junior season.
Fellow junior Baker, a Bellevue native who was also a unanimous All-Pac-12 first-team selection, has two interceptions, two sacks, five breakups, a forced fumble, and is second on Washington with 65 tackles.
