University of Houston Athletics
Ed Oliver Named All-America by USA Today
12/8/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
HOUSTON -- For the second time in as many days, Houston freshman defensive tackle Ed Oliver has been named a First Team All-American, this time by USA Today the organization announced Thursday. The Houston native was the lone freshman on the team, just as he was on Wednesday's team released by The Sporting News.
 | Purchase Las Vegas Bowl Tickets | UHAA Bowl Travel Info | Join Cougar Pride |
Oliver, The American Athletic Conference's Rookie of the Year and one of only two unanimous picks to the league's all-conference team, finished the regular season second in The American and ninth nationally with 19.5 tackles for loss, and led all defensive linemen nationally with nine pass breakups. Playing out of the tackle spot on a three-man line, he finished the year fourth nationally among all defensive linemen with 43 solo tackles and was 16th among all defensive linemen nationally with 61 total tackles.
Oliver's 61 tackles led all freshmen in The American, regardless of position, and all freshmen defensive linemen nationally. His five sacks led all freshmen in The American while his nine pass breakups ranked fourth in the league, regardless of position. Oliver also led Houston and finished second in The American with three forced fumbles, a number that ranked second nationally among freshmen.
The freshman is the first player from the Houston program to earn first team All-America honors since center Ben Fricke earned first team honors from the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) in 1997.
The honor comes two days after Oliver was named the winner of the 2016 Bill Willis Award, presented annually to the nation's top defensive lineman by the Touchdown Club of Columbus.
Oliver was one of two players from The American named to USA Today's team, joining East Carolina wide receiver Zay Jones who earned second team honors from the publication.
Oliver and his teammates will have the opportunity to face two other members of the team when they square off against San Diego State in the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 17. The Aztecs' offensive lineman Nico Siragusa (first team) and Donnel Pumphrey (second team) also earned honors Thursday.
