O'Cyrus Torrence named First Team All-American
Florida offensive lineman O’Cyrus Torrence earned AFCA FBS Coaches’ First Team All-America honors, the American Football Coaches Association announced Wednesday. He is the first Gators offensive lineman to be named to the AFCA First Team since Jason Odom in 1995.
Out of the five publications used to determine Unanimous and Consensus All-Americans, Torrence was named to the first team in four of them (Walter Camp, Associated Press, The Sporting News, AFCA) and the second team in one (Football Writers Association of America).
The AFCA has selected an All-America team since 1945 and currently selects teams in all five of its divisions. What makes these teams so special is that they are the only ones chosen exclusively by the men who know the players the best — the coaches themselves.
On Tuesday, Torrence was named the 34th Consensus All-American in Florida history, becoming the first offensive guard and fifth Gators offensive lineman ever to achieve such feat.
Starting in 11 games this season, Torrence anchored an offensive line that helped pave the way as the program is third in the FBS with 5.8 yards per carry, which is amongst the best in program history.
Torrence is the top-rated guard in the nation at 88.0 according to Pro Football Focus. He didn’t allow a sack or quarterback hit during his career, and didn’t allow a hurry or commit a penalty in 698 snaps this season.
Florida’s 213.7 rushing yards a game this season is the 16th most in the FBS, and is in line to rank in the top-10 in program history.
The Gators will conclude the 2022 campaign on Saturday, Dec. 17 against No. 14 Oregon State at the Las Vegas Bowl. Kickoff is set for 2:30 P.M. ET on ESPN.
Torrence’s time at Florida
The senior transfer from Louisiana came to Florida with sky-high expectations. A three-year starter for Billy Napier at UL, Torrence followed his coach to Florida to test his skill in the SEC. He didn’t disappoint.
Torrence played in 355 pass-blocking snaps in 2022 and allowed zero sacks. He played in 698 total snaps and committed zero penalties. Torrence went his entire career (1,501 pass-blocking snaps) and never allowed a sack. He committed just 12 penalties in 3,065 career snaps.
Torrence is the highest-graded guard in the country according to Pro Football Focus with an 88.2 grade.
Torrence has anchored an offensive line that has allowed only 13 sacks this season, which is second-least in the SEC and tied for 15th in the nation. Florida’s 5.8 yards per carry and 213.7 rushing yards per game are amongst the best in program history with Torrence leading the way.
“He’s accepted a Senior Bowl invite, you know, he’s moved forward,” Napier said of Torrence. “This guy’s played probably, I don’t know, 3,000-plus snaps in his career. Four years of good football. Proven player and much like Ventrell, you know, been through been banged up at times. So very understandable and a guy that did a phenomenal job for us this year.”
All-American Lists that named Torrence
| Publication | Award |
|---|---|
| Walter Camp Football Foundation | First Team |
| Football Writers Association | Second Team |
| Associated Press | First Team |
| The Sporting News | First Team |
| American Football Coaches Association | First Team |
| The Athletic | First Team |
| ESPN | First Team |
| CBS | First Team |
| Pro Football Focus | First Team |
| USA Today | First Team |
![Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier celebrates with Florida Gators wide receiver Aidan Mizell (11) after a touchdown during the first half at the Orange and Blue spring football game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, April 13, 2024. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]](https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/height=215,width=393,quality=90,fit=cover,gravity=0.5x0.5/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/04/13155133/Untitled-design-65-2.png)
