Associated Press
NEW YORK ó Alabama will bring a lineup powered by a record number of AP All-Americans to the national championship game.
Six players on the top-ranked Crimson Tide, including Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, made The Associated Press All-America team released Tuesday.
Ingram was a unanimous choice, as was linebacker Rolando McClain. Defensive tackle Terrence Cody was voted to the team for the second consecutive season. Cornerback Javier Arenas, guard Michael Johnson and kicker Leigh Tiffin also were on the squad.
Oklahoma twice (1987, 2003) had five first-team All-Americans, according to STATS. But no team has had more since 1964, when the AP started selecting both an offensive and defensive team.
“I think having six Alabama players on the first team says a lot about all of the players on our entire roster and is an indication of the hard work we put in and the togetherness we have on this team,” Arenas said in a statement to the AP through the school. “You aren’t going to have six guys make first-team All-American unless your team is playing at a high level week in and week out. It’s a credit to our entire team and our coaching staff.”
Stanford running back Toby Gerhart, the Heisman runner-up, and Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, fourth in Heisman voting, were also unanimous first-team All-Americans.
Texas quarterback Colt McCoy was the All-American quarterback, selected to the first team by a panel of 14 AP college football poll voters. Florida quarterback Tim Tebow was a second-team choice. Boise State’s Kellen Moore was the third-team quarterback.
McCoy finished third in the Heisman voting last weekend and was a second-team All-American last year. The senior was joined by his longtime pal and favorite receiver, Jordan Shipley, on the first team. Texas safety Earl Thomas gave the Longhorns three players on the first team, second only to Alabama.
The Crimson Tide and Longhorns play in the BCS national championship game at the Rose Bowl on Jan. 7.
Alabama safety Mark Barron made the third-team, giving the Tide seven players who received AP All-America honors. Texas put three players ó kicker Hunter Lawrence, center Chris Hall and linebacker Sergio Kindle ó on the third team for a total of six overall.
Florida also had six players make the three teams, including cornerback Joe Haden and tight end Aaron Hernandez as first-teamers.
The SEC was the most represented conference on the first team, with 11 players, including Tennessee safety Eric Berry, South Carolina linebacker Eric Norwood and Georgia punter Drew Butler.