Eight Cougars Earn League Honors

HOUSTON – University of Houston Football was well represented as The American Athletic Conference handed out its postseason honors on Wednesday morning.

Eight Cougars were named All-American Athletic Conference including five first-team selections. First-team honorees included wide receiver Nathaniel Dell, sophomore offensive tackle Patrick Paul, sophomore offensive guard Cam'Ron Johnson, senior quarterback Clayton Tune and senior defensive lineman D'Anthony Jones.

Senior cornerback Art Green and senior safety Gervarrius Owens earned second-team recognition while senior return specialist Jayce Rogers was tabbed all-conference honorable mention. The selection was the second for Owens who was a first-team honoree a season ago.

Dell, who was also a 2021 first-team all-conference honoree, becomes the fifth player in program history to be named a first-team all-conference wide receiver twice, joining Marquez Stevenson (2018-19), Patrick Edwards (2010-11), Manny Hazard (1989-90) and Jason Phillips (1987-88).

The first-team selection was also the second for Paul, making the sophomore the first Cougar offensive lineman in American Athletic Conference history to be named first team on multiple occasions. He is the 13^th player in program history to accomplish the feat and first since Chris Thompson (2010-11).

ABOUT THE HONOREES

Dell is tied for the national lead in receiving touchdowns (16) and is second in receiving yards (1,354), receiving yards per game (112.8) and receptions per game (8.6). The junior has caught a touchdown in 10 games, the most of any player nationally.
Paul is graded as the nation's third-best pass blocker (91.2) among tackles according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). The sophomore played 832 offensive snaps for the Cougars, helping Houston to 30+ points in 11 of 12 games.
Johnson played 836 snaps for the Cougars, paving the way for three different 100-yard rushers courtesy of Tune, running back Stacy Sneed and running back Ta'Zhawn Henry.
Tune is tied for the national lead in passing touchdowns (37). He is second in points responsible per game (21.5), third in total offense (361.2) and fifth in passing yards (3,845) and completions per game (26.33). On Saturday against Tulsa, Tune became the second Houston quarterback (155, Case Keenum, 2007-11) and first American Athletic Conference quarterback to reach 100 career passing touchdowns.
Jones is tied for the national lead in forced fumbles (4). His eight forced fumbles since the start of the 2021 season are also tied atop the country. The senior's 14.0 sacks over the last two seasons pace The American. Jones is graded as the nation's third-best edge defender (90.8) by PFF. He is also third in pass rush (92.1) at the position.
Green ranks tied for third in The American with nine passes defended and is tied for seventh with two interceptions. The senior finished fourth on the team with 40 tackles.
Owens finished tied for third in The American in passes defended (9), sixth in the league in forced fumbles (2) and 18^thin tackles (70). The senior logged 5+ tackles in nine of his 11 games played including nine alongside three breakups against Temple on Nov. 12.
Rogers returned 13 kickoffs for 30.5 yards including a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown at Memphis on Oct. 7. The defensive back, who finished tied for fifth on the team in tackles, is the only player nationally with a kickoff return touchdown and interception return touchdown on the season. He is the first player to accomplish the feat since Louisiana Tech's Amik Robertson in 2019.

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Nathaniel Dell

Art Green

Ta'Zhawn Henry

Cam'Ron Johnson

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Gervarrius Owens

Patrick Paul

Jayce Rogers

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