Many Tigers on Midseason All-America Teams, Award Lists

Clemson, S.C.—Five Clemson players  were named  to various  midseason All-America teams and award lists this week according to various media outlets.  They have all helped the 7-0 Tigers to a No. 3 national ranking according to the Amway Coaches Poll and a No. 4 rating by the Associated Press.

Christian Wilkins was named to four midseason first-team All-America teams as he was named by CBS Sports, ESPN, Sports on Earth and Fox Sports.    The sophomore defensive end has been among the top all-around players in the nation so far this year.

The native of Springfield, Mass. has 38 tackles, including a team best 8.5 tackles for loss with three sacks and 11 quarterback pressures on the defensive line.  He also has caught a touchdown pass from Deshaun Watson, run 10 yards on a fake punt and blocked a field goal.  The later two plays took place in Clemson’s 24-17 overtime win against NC State on October 15.  He was also added to the Bednarik Award Watch List this week.

Linebacker Ben Boulware was named a first-team midseason All-American by USA Today.   The senior leads the Tigers in tackles per game and has 59 overall, including four tackles for loss.  He had a key interception in the win at Auburn and had 17 tackles in the victory over Louisville.  He was named National Defensive Player of the Week by four different services for that performance.

Quarterback Deshaun Watson is ranked as the No. 2 candidate for the Heisman Trophy according to five media outlets at midseason.  He is ranked second behind Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson according to Newsday, the Orlando Sentinel, Campus Insiders, ESPN and the Associated Press.  He is fourth on the list by Sports Illustrated.  So far this year Watson has thrown 20 touchdown passes, sixth best in the nation.

Tight end Jordan Leggett is one of 16 tight ends on the midseason Mackey Award watch list.  Leggett, who was a finalist for the award last year,  has 15 catches for 232 yards and three touchdowns.   He became Clemson’s career leader in touchdown catches by a tight end earlier this month.

Freshman Dexter Lawrence is ranked as the No. 3 freshman in the nation at midseason by Sports On Earth.  He was named national Co-Defensive Freshman of the Year by 247 Sports.

Additionally, the Clemson offensive line was named to the Midseason Honor  Roll for the Joe Moore Award, which goes to the top offensive line in college football.  Clemson was one of 17 offensive lines listed.    Other ACC schools on the list were Miami (FL), Pittsburgh, and Virginia Tech.

The Clemson vs. Louisville football game on October 1 was ranked as the top game of the first half o the season by Si.com, Bleacher Report and USA Today and the second best game by Sports On Earth.