Ingram, McClain lead 6 Alabama AP All-Americans

[December 16, 2009]  NEW YORK (AP) -- 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 -- kicker Hunter Lawrence, center Chris Hall and linebacker Sergio Kindle -- 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.

The Big 12 has seven first-team selections, including three of the five offensive linemen.

The tackles were Oklahoma State's Russell Okung and Oklahoma's Trent Williams. Okung is projected to be a first-round draft pick in the NFL.

"He's definitely one of the best that's ever played here, there's no question," Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said.

Baylor's J.D. Walton was the center. Completing the offensive line was Idaho guard Mike Iuapti.

Notre Dame receiver Golden Tate and Clemson running back C.J. Spiller, selected as an all-purpose player, round out the offense.

TCU defensive end Jerry Hughes was the lone representative on all three teams from the unbeaten and No. 3 Horned Frogs. Georgia Tech's Derrick Morgan was the other defensive end.

Michigan State linebacker Greg Jones was the only Big Ten player on the first team.

Florida's twin brother offensive linemen, Mike and Maurkice Pouncey, were selected to the second team. Oregon State receiver James Rodgers made the second team as an all-purpose player and his brother, Jacquizz, was a third-team selection at running back.

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The All-America team voting panel: John Davis, the Oxford (Miss.) Eagle; Bob Condotta, the Seattle Times; Doug Doughty, The Roanoke (Va.) Times; John Adams, Knoxville News Sentinel; Bob Asmussen, Champaign (Ill.) News-Gazette; Chadd Cripe, Idaho Statesmen; Eric Hansen, The South Bend (Ind.) Tribune; Craig James, ABC; Mike Herndon, Mobile (Ala.) Press-Register; Joseph Rexrode, Lansing (Mich.) State Journal; Dave Matter, Columbia (Mo.) Daily Tribune; Mark Anderson, Las Vegas Review Journal; Keith Sargeant, Gannett N.J. Newspapers; Travis Haney, The Charleston (S.C.) Post and Courier.

[Associated Press; By RALPH D. RUSSO]

AP Sports Writer Jeff Latzke in Stillwater, Okla., contributed to this report.

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