More All-America Honors for USC Stars
The Sporting News released its 2022 All-America team on Tuesday morning and four USC Trojans were featured across its two teams.
Quarterback Caleb Williams highlights yet another All-America team, while defensive end Tuli Tuipulotu joined Williams on the first team.
USC offensive linemen Andrew Vorhees and Brett Neilon were selected to the second team. Georgia led the way with three selections to the first team. Georgia and USC were the only programs with four players selected across both the first and second teams.
Williams and Tuipulotu are already Consensus All-Americans for their performances in 2022. And now they’re one step away from becoming Unanimous All-Amerians.
Williams and Tuipulotu already earned First-Team All-America honors from the Associated Press, Walter Camp Football Foundation and Football Writers Association of America. The American Football Coaches Association All-America team will be released later this week and would cement Unanimous All-America status if Williams and Tuipulotu are first-teamers there. The two were also named to ESPN’s First-Team All-America squad.
Williams and Tuipulotu Reaping Rewards for Outstanding Seasons
Williams took home the Heisman Trophy this past weekend, which says everything anybody needs to know about the year he had. He led the nation with 47 total touchdowns and had seven games where he was responsible for at least four touchdowns. Williams set USC single-season records for touchdowns and total yards. And, if he plays in USC’s bowl game, he will set the school single-season record for passing yards as well.
Tuipulotu had the best year by a USC defensive lineman since Kenechi Udeze. His 12.5 sacks this year are the most since Udeze posted a school-record 16.5 in 2003. He also leads the Pac-12 and ranks No. 6 nationally in tackles for loss per game. Tuipulotu was a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Rotary Lombardi Award, the Lott IMPACT Trophy and the Chuck Bednarik Award.
USC Offensive Linemen Earn Honors
Vorhees was named a first-team All-Pac-12 player this season. He earned first-team status on the AP All-America team and now second-team honors with Sporting News as well as the FWAA and Walter Camp.
Neilon was a second-team All-Pac-12 selection and a third-team All-American for the AP. The senior leader has taken his final snap for the Trojans. Neilson suffered an injury late in the Pac-12 Championship Game against Utah. He will not be available for the Goodyear Cotton Bowl against Tulane. He ends his USC career as one of the key pieces to USC’s turnaround season in 2022. Head coach Lincoln Riley highlighted Neilon’s improved play over the second half of this season. Both he and Vorhees will be difficult to replace up front in 2023.
