TCU defensive end Jerry Hughes has been named a first-team All-American by CollegeFootballNews.com.
It's the ninth All-America team Hughes has made this season. He departs Thursday for New Haven, Conn., where he will take part in the Walter Camp All-America Weekend.
A junior from Sugar Land, Texas, Hughes led the nation with 15 sacks and six forced fumbles. His final sack of the year, with just under five minutes to play in the Poinsettia Bowl, helped preserve the Horned Frogs' 17-16 victory over then-No. 9 Boise State. It came with the Broncos having a third-and-8 at the TCU 12 and trailing 17-13.
In addition to his NCAA-leading sack total, Hughes tied for eighth in the country with 19.5 tackles for loss while his three fumble recoveries placed in a tie for ninth. Hughes added two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown.
The 2008 Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Hughes was a league record three-time MWC Defensive Player of the Week. He also earned National Defensive Player of the Week honors from the Walter Camp Football Foundation and the FWAA/Bronko Nagurski Trophy after his four sacks and two forced fumbles in a 32-7 win over then-No. 8 BYU.
