Lehman Named FWAA All-American

Dec. 2, 2002

Norman, Okla. - Oklahoma linebacker Teddy Lehman has been named a first team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America. He is the 129th All-American in OU football history.

This marks the third straight year that a Sooner linebacker has been so honored. Rocky Calmus, now with the Tennessee Titans, was an All-American in 2000 and 2001.

The 25-man FWAA squad is selected by a nationwide panel of writers. The FWAA team is the second oldest continuously published team in college football. The team will be honored at a banquet on Jan. 24 in Orlando, Fla. Florida Citrus Sports, which also sponsors the Capital One and Tangerine bowls, will be the host to the banquet.

Lehman, one of three finalists for the Dick Butkus Award, presented annually to the nation's top linebacker, has 102 tackles this season, including 78 that were unassisted. He also has 15 tackles for loss, just three off the school record, and two pass interceptions that he returned for a total of 51 yards.

The Fort Gibson, Okla., junior entered the season with just one double digit tackle game, but has 10 or more stops in six games this season, including three against ranked opponents. Likewise, both of his interceptions came in games against ranked foes.

There were two repeat All-Americas from last season's team - both on defense - Southern California defensive back Troy Polamalu and Maryland linebacker E.J. Henderson.

The Big Ten Conference led all conferences with nine players on the team. The Pacific 10 had five, the Southeastern and Big 12 three each and the Big East two. The Atlantic Coast, Mountain West and independent Notre Dame had one each.

In addition, the FWAA announced three finalists for the Outland Trophy, which has been presented annually since 1946 to the best interior lineman in college football. The Outland finalists, also on the 2002 All-America team, are center Brett Romberg of Miami, Fla., defensive tackle Rien Long of Washington State and offensive tackle Jordan Gross of Utah.

The winner of the 2002 Outland Trophy will be announced on Dec. 12 in Orlando, Fla., on the ESPN College Football Awards Show.

2002 FWAA ALL-AMERICA TEAM

OFFENSE
QB Carson Palmer, Southern California 6-5 225 Sr.
RB Larry Johnson, Penn State 6-2 222 Sr.
RB Willis McGahee, Miami 6-1 224 Soph.
WR Charles Rogers, Michigan State 6-4 205 Jr.
WR Reggie Williams, Washington 6-4 220 Soph.
TE Dallas Clark, Iowa 6-4 244 Jr.
OL Shawn Andrews, Arkansas 6-5 330 Soph.
OL Derrick Dockery, Texas 6-6 345 Sr.
OL Jordan Gross, Utah 6-5 306 Sr.
OL Bruce Nelson, Iowa 6-4 290 Sr.
OL Brett Romberg, Miami 6-3 290 Sr.

DEFENSE
DL Michael Haynes, Penn State 6-3 268 Sr.
DL Rien Long, Washington State 6-6 286 Jr.
DL David Pollack, Georgia 6-2 275 Soph.
DL Terrell Suggs, Arizona State 6-3 252 Jr.
LB E.J. Henderson, Maryland 6-2 250 Sr.
LB Teddy Lehman, Oklahoma 6-2 235 Jr.
LB Matt Wilhelm, Ohio State 6-5 245 Sr.
DB Mike Doss, Ohio State 5-11 204 Sr.
DB Terence Newman, Kansas State 5-11 185 Sr.
DB Troy Polamalu, Southern California 5-10 215 Sr.
DB Shane Walton, Notre Dame 5-11 185 Sr.

SPECIALISTS
K Nate Kaeding, Iowa 6-0 177 Jr.
P Andy Groom, Ohio State 6-1 185 Sr.
KR Derek Abney, Kentucky 5-10 175 Jr.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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