2008 All-American Lists

[Mac]

Congrats to JL and MJ for making AA!! You guys played your hearts out this year, and you deserved it!!

 

[Blackburn]

I got a chance to tour the WH Football facility this year.

There is a long hallway (I think near the meeting rooms) that honors the OSU All Americans. 8 x 11 plaques, with the player's official portrait and a small brass label that shows name and years All-American. My guess is a couple hundred players going back to 1910-1920.

Having that third year is an insane accomplishment, and every player that walks down that hallway will notice.

Good Work James!

 

[IronBuckI]

I remember arguing with a few folks that were ragging on him because they said he was "out of position" on so many plays that game. I guess he turned out to be OK after all...

...after moving to a different position...

 

[osugrad21]

DDN

3-time All-America Laurinaitis heads AP team

NEW YORK ? James Laurinaitis idolized A.J. Hawk, Chris Spielman and the other great linebackers who played for Ohio State before him.
Now, in at least one area, he has surpassed them.
Laurinaitis became a three-time AP All-American, and Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford and star receiver Michael Crabtree joined him on the first team released Tuesday.
Ohio State has a history of great linebackers from Hawk to Spielman and Tom Cousineau to Randy Gradishar. Hawk and Spielman were both two-time AP All-Americans.
"When people throw my name in that group of players, I just laugh," Laurinaitis said. "It's extremely complimentary to be thought of in the same category."
Among the other players to make the AP first-team three times were San Diego State running back Marshall Faulk (1991-93), Pittsburgh offensive lineman Bill Fralic (1982-84), Georgia running back Hershel Walker (1980-82) and Pittsburgh defensive end Hugh Green (1978-80).
Alabama put more players on the 2008 AP first team than any school, about 1,000 pounds of linemen. Offensive tackle Andre Smith, listed at 330 pounds, was an unanimous first-team choice, and was joined by center Antoine Caldwell. Crimson Tide nose guard Terrence Cody, listed at 365 pounds, anchored the top-ranked defense in the Southeastern Conference.
Bradford beat out Texas' Colt McCoy and Florida's Tim Tebow in All-America voting that broke the same way as the Heisman balloting. McCoy, the Heisman runner-up, was the second-team quarterback. Tebow made the third team, a year after winning the Heisman and being a first-team AP All-American.
Laurinaitis and Crabtree, the Texas Tech receiver, were among five players to repeat as first-teamers.
Oklahoma guard Duke Robinson, Cincinnati punter Kevin Huber and Missouri receiver/kick returner Jeremy Maclin, who made it as an all-purpose player, were the others.
Cont...

The defense featured Laurinaitis' teammate, cornerback Malcolm Jenkins, and two players from Southern California's top-ranked unit: linebacker Rey Maualuga and safety Taylor Mays.