Bryant McKinnie, Ed Reed Highlight AFCA All-America Team
Dec. 6, 2001
Coral Gables, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) — University of Miami senior free safety Edward Reed and senior offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie have been named to the 2001 AFCA Coaches’ All-America Team, as announced by the American Football Coaches Association.
For the second consecutive season, Reed earns a place on the AFCA Coaches’ All-America Team after leading the nation with nine interceptions and directing a defense that leads the NCAA in several categories. A finalist for the prestigious Thorpe Award, given annually the top defensive back in college football, Reed finished the season with 44 tackles, two fumble recoveries and a blocked kick. Two of his NCAA-best nine INTs were returned for touchdowns. This season, Reed broke the Miami and BIG EAST career records for interceptions (19) and interception return yards (389). He was recently named BIG EAST Co-Defensive Player of the Year along with Syracuse All-American defensive end Dwight Freeney.
McKinnie, a finalist for the Outland Trophy, is regarded as one of the top offensive tackles to play in college football in the past decade, having never given up a sack in his career. At 6-9, 336, McKinnie has anchored an offensive line that has powered the Hurricanes into the National Championship game at the Rose Bowl on January 3rd. He was recently named CNNSI’s College Football Player of the Year, along with First-Team All-American by Football News, Football Writers Association of America and ABC Sports Online. An All-BIG EAST first-team selection, he finished tied for fifth in the balloting for Associated Press Player of the Year with Indiana’s All-America quarterback Antwaan Randle El.
The two players placed on the AFCA Coaches’ All-America Team equals the high along with Texas, Stanford and Oklahoma. Only the Sooners had both of their selections on the defensive side of the ball. Mike Williams (OL) and Quentin James (DB) represented the Longhorns on the list, while Eric Heitmann (OL) and Tank Williams (DB) earned spots for the Cardinal. The Sooners saw Rocky Calmus (LB) and Roy Williams (DB) earn selections on defense.
