In college football, Washington State defensive lineman Hercules Mata’afa has been named an Associated Press first-team All-America, while teammate offensive lineman Cody O’Connell was a second-team pick.
Mata’afa earned Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year honors from the AP and led the conference with 21.5 tackles-for-loss and 9.5 quarterback sacks. The junior defensive tackle has been named a first team All-American by the Walter Camp Foundation. Mata’afa’s dominant season earned him first team AP All-Pac-12 honors at both defensive tackle and defensive end. He also earned a spot on the Football Writers Association of America’s second team All-American ballot. Sports Illustrated and The Athletic also named Mata’afa to their respective All-American lists.
Cody O’Connell
The 21st-ranked Cougars play Number 18 Michigan State on December 28th in the Holiday Bowl in San Diego. (Spokesman-Review)
