Gaines Adams Named First-Team Sporting News All-American

Dec. 13, 2006

Clemson, SC — Clemson defensive end Gaines Adams was named to the first-team Sporting News All-America team on Wednesday, giving him a clean sweep of the five major All-America teams at the first-team level.

Earlier he was named a first-team All-American by Associated Press, The Football Writers Association, the American Football Coaches Association and the Walter Camp Foundation. Those are the five major services recognized by the NCAA in their compilation of consensus and unanimous All-Americans for the NCAA record book each year. He has also been named a first-team All-American by Rivals.com and Sports Illustrated.

Adams becomes the first Clemson unanimous All-American since Terry Kinard was honored by every team in 1982, and just the second in school history. Kinard was also named National Defensive Player of the year by Chevrolet that year when he led the Tigers to a 9-1-1 ranking and top 10 final national ranking. Kinard is still the only Clemson player to a first-team All-American by Associated Press in two different seasons (1981 an 1982).

Adams led the ACC and ranked ninth in the nation in quarterback sacks this year with 10.5, tied for the second most in a season in Clemson history. He currently has 26 career sacks, trailing just Michael Dean Perry (28) and William Perry (27). He had 56 tackles this year, including 15.5 tackles for loss, had three recovered fumbles and two caused fumbles.

During the season he had a streak of eight consecutive games in which he recorded a sack, an all-time Clemson record. He had six pass deflections, two of which led directly to interceptions, including one that was returned 82 yards for a touchdown by teammate Jock McKissic against South Carolina.

Adams was named a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Award (top defensive player in the nation) and the Ted Hendrick Award (top defensive end in the nation) and was a semifinalist for the Lombardi Award. He was also named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year.

2006 Sporting News All-American Teams

First Team Offense QB Troy Smith, Ohio State, Sr. RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas, So. RB Steve Slaton, West Virginia, So. WR Robert Meachem, Tennessee, Jr. WR Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech, Jr. TE Jonny Harline, BYU, Sr. OL Joe Thomas, Wisconsin, Sr. OL Dan Mozes, West Virginia, Sr. OL Sam Baker, USC, Jr. OL Justin Blalock, Texas, Sr. OL Steve Vallos, Wake Forest, Sr. K Justin Medlock, UCLA, Sr. KR Marcus Thigpen, Indiana, So.

First Team Defense DL Justin Hickman, UCLA, Sr. DL LaMarr Woodley, Michigan, Sr. DL Quinn Pitcock, Ohio State, Sr.DL Gaines Adams, Clemson, Sr. LB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State, So. LB Patrick Willis, Ole Miss, Sr. LB Dan Connor, Penn State, Jr. DB Daymeion Hughes, California, Sr. DB John Talley, Duke, Sr. DB Eric Weddle, Utah, Sr. DB Reggie Nelson, Florida, Jr. P Daniel Sepulveda, Baylor, Sr. PR DeSean Jackson, California, So.

Player of the Year: Troy Smith, Ohio State Coach of the Year: Jim Grobe, Wake Forest Freshman of the Year: Colt McCoy, Texas