University of Houston Athletics
Ed Oliver Named FWAA Freshman All-America
1/9/2017 12:00:00 AM | Football
HOUSTON â€" In an announcement as surprising as overcrowded gyms at the beginning of a New Year, Houston freshman defensive tackle Ed Oliver was named to the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) Freshman All-America Team Monday morning.
It was the latest honor for Oliver who received nine All-America honors this season, regardless of class, with First-Team mentions from the Associated Press, CBS, ESPN, Scout, Sports Illustrated, USA Today and The Sporting News and Second Team mentions from the FWAA and AFCA. He was also named Scout's Freshman of the Year and the winner of the 2016 Bill Willis Award, presented annually to the nation's top defensive lineman by the Touchdown Club of Columbus.
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Oliver, The American Athletic Conference's Rookie of the Year and one of only two unanimous picks to the league's All-Conference Team, currently sits second nationally with 23 tackles for loss and leads all defensive linemen nationally with nine pass breakups. Playing out of the tackle spot on a three-man line, he is currently second nationally among all defensive linemen with 47 solo tackles and is 13th among all defensive linemen nationally with 66 total tackles.
Oliver's 66 tackles were second among all freshmen in The American, regardless of position, and led all freshmen defensive linemen nationally. His five sacks led all freshmen in The American while his nine pass breakups ranked sixth 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 became the first player from the Houston program to earn First Team All-America honors since center Ben Fricke earned First Team honors from the FWAA in 1997.
He is the second Houston player in as many years to be named to FWAA Freshman All-America team as Will Noble earned the honor following the 2015 season.
