Freeman and Hopkins Named AP All-Americans

CLEMSON, SC – Clemson center Dalton Freeman and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins have been named All-Americans by the Associated Press.  Freeman, a graduate student from Pelion, SC, was named the second-team center, while Hopkins, a junior from Central, SC was named third-team wide receiver.

Freeman has started 48 consecutive games at center for the Tigers and has played more plays than any other player in Clemson history.  He has been a starter on three Clemson teams that have been champion or co-champion of the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference, including 2011 when the Tigers won the ACC Championship.

Freeman was also named a second-team CoSIDA Academic All-American this year.  He is the fourth football player in Clemson history to be name All-American on the field and academic All-American in the same year.  Earlier he was named a first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association, the first center to make a first-team in school history.

Hopkins has been named a second or third-team All-American by five services.  In 2012 he has 69 receptions for 1214 yards and 16 touchdowns.  He ranks second in the nation in touchdown receptions and it is a Clemson record.  He needs just one touchdown catch against LSU in the Chick-fil-A Bowl to tie the ACC single season record.  That would also establish the ACC record for consecutive games with a touchdown catch.  He has a streak of nine active entering the bowl game.

Hopkins has caught at least one pass in 35 consecutive games over three years. The Clemson record is 36 by Jerry Butler from 1975-78, so Hopkins can tie that mark as well in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.  He already holds Clemson career records for touchdown receptions and receiving yards.