Canton
Downing is second-team All-America
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK GlenOak High School graduate T.J. Downing is one of five Ohio State players named to the top two teams as the Associated Press announced its 2006 All-America college football team. Penn State linebacker Paul Posluszny and Southern California receiver Dwayne Jarrett overcame adversity to become two-time All-Americans, joining Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith and Arkansas running back Darren McFadden on the AP?s honor roll.
Smith, the senior quarterback, is one of three Ohio State players on the first team, along with defensive tackle Justin Pitcock and linebacker James Laurinaitis.
Downing, an offensive guard, and all-purpose player Ted Ginn Jr. were Ohio State?s second-team selections.
Big Ten rival Michigan matched the Buckeyes for the most first-teamers with defensive end LaMarr Woodley, cornerback Leon Hall and offensive tackle Jake Long.
Florida, which will face Ohio State in the Jan. 8 BCS National Championship game, was represented on the first-team by safety Reggie Nelson.
Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn, who finished third behind Smith and McFadden in the Heisman voting, made the second-team.
Posluszny, who is the first Penn State linebacker to be a two-time AP All-American, returned to Penn State for his senior season after injuring his knee in the Orange Bowl in January. Playing with a bulky brace and trying to adapt to a new position, Posluszny needed a few games to get comfortable in 2006.
?Things were a lot tougher this year,? the senior said. ?A little more complicated.?
Posluszny finished the regular season with 108 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles. He became the second two-time winner of the Chuck Bednarik Award as national defensive player.
Jarrett?s season was complicated by an early season shoulder injury that forced him to miss a game and limited him in several others. But when the 6-foot-5 junior was at full strength, he was USC?s best weapon. He caught 58 passes for 773 yards and 10 touchdowns.
LSU?s defense is represented on the first-team by defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey and safety LaRon Landry.
