Michigan Claims Four Walter Camp All-America Honors
12/7/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The University of Michigan football program had four players named to the Walter Camp Football Foundation All-American Teams announced Thursday night (Dec. 7) during the ESPN College Football Award Show held at the Atlantic Dance Hall in Walt Disney World. The Wolverines also had three finalists for national awards announced during the show but were unable to come away with a winner.
Senior defensive end LaMarr Woodley (Saginaw, Mich./Saginaw HS), senior cornerback Leon Hall (Vista, Calif./Vista HS) and senior left tackle Jake Long (Lapeer, Mich./Lapeer East HS) were named to the foundation's first-team squad. Junior tailback Mike Hart (Syracuse, N.Y./Onondaga Central HS) earned second-team All-America honors on the Walter Camp ballot. The Wolverines' three first-team All-America selections tied Ohio State for the most among all colleges.
Woodley was edged out Penn State linebackers Paul Posluszny for the Bednarik Award as the nation's outstanding player by the Maxwell Football Club. The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and the Defensive Lineman of the Year, Woodley won the Lombardi Award and Ted Hendricks Award yesterday (Dec. 6).
Hall and Florida safety Reggie Nelson, finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Award earlier this week, finished as runners-up for the Thorpe Award presented to Texas cornerback Aaron Ross. A consensus All-Big Ten first team selection, Hall led the Big Ten and was eighth in the nation with 18 pass breakups this season and collected three interceptions.
The nation's seventh-leading rusher, Hart finished behind Arkansas' Darren McFadden for the Doak Walker Award, given to the top running back. Hart rushed 301 times for 1,515 yards and scored 14 rushing touchdowns for the Wolverines, all career highs. He was the only back in the nation to gain 90 or more rushing yards in every contest, including nine 100-yard rushing efforts.
Media Contacts: David Ablauf, Jim Schneider (734) 763-4423
