Jenkins, Selvie Earn First-Team All-American

TAMPA, Fla. – The pair of standouts on the South Florida defense are a part of the 2007 AFCA Coaches' All-America Team announced Thursday by the American Football Coaches Association.USF sophomore defensive end George Selvie and senior cornerback Mike Jenkins were both honored First Team All-Americans by the American Football Coaches Association.

The AFCA has selected an All-America team since 1945 and currently selects teams in all five of its divisions. What makes these teams so special is that they are the only ones chosen exclusively by the men who know the players the best - the coaches themselves. The two defensive stars for the Bulls are the only players from the BIG EAST and the only players chosen from a Florida school.

“We’re excited for both of them,” said USF head coach Jim Leavitt. “Both are tremendous players, have great character and both represent USF in the right way. It’s a tribute to everything that is happening at the University of South Florida.”

Behind Texas Tech's freshman phenomenon receiver Michael Crabtree, Selvie is the second youngest player and the only sophomore on the team.   Selvie has been a force on the Bulls defensive line all season and leads the NCAA in tackles for loss this season and currently is only a half TFL away from the NCAA record with 31.5. He also second in the NCAA with 14.5 sacks. Selvie is already a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Award, which is given to the top college defender, and the Ted Hendricks Award, given to the top defensive end in the country.

“What a blessing,” said Selvie. “I didn’t see this stuff coming, I was just focused on football and school. I never set out to be named an All-American, I just wanted to win games and contribute to the team. It’s a tremendous honor and one I will try my very best to live up to every time I step on the field.”

Mike Jenkins has become a fixture in the Bulls defensive secondary and is considered the top NFL prospect at the cornerback position. The lock-down corner has three interceptions and 12 pass breakups and also scored on an exciting kick return against Cincinnati this season.

“That is a humbling,” said Jenkins. “So many things have happened here at USF this season that have never happened before. What an honor to join George as the first All-Americans at this level for USF and to be the representatives for the BIG EAST. It is really beyond words what this means to me and what I know it means to George.”

The All-American honors are the first for USF since it has been a Division I-A member, now known as the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision. As an I-AA squad the Bulls had two First Team All-Americans, Bill Gramatica (’98, AFCA First Team, AP Second Team.) and Tony Umholtz (’99, AP First Team). Also Former Bulls and current NFL players were SI.com All-American honorable mentions, Andre Hall (’05) and J.R. Reed (‘03).

2007 AFCA Coaches’ All-America Team

Offense Pos.	Name	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	School	Coach	Hometown (High School)
WR	Michael Crabtree	6-3	208	Fr.	Texas Tech	Mike Leach	Dallas, Texas (Carter)
WR	Jordy Nelson	6-3	217	Sr.	Kansas St.	Ron Prince	Riley, Kan. (Riley County)
TE	Martin Rucker	6-6	255	Sr.	Missouri	Gary Pinkel	St. Joseph, Mo. (Benton)
OL	Jake Long*	6-7	315	Sr.	Michigan	Lloyd Carr	Lapeer, Mich. (East)
OL	Kirk Barton	6-6	300	Sr.	Ohio St.	Jim Tressel	Massillon, Ohio (Massillon Perry)
C	Steve Justice	6-4	284	Sr.	Wake Forest	Jim Grobe	Port Orange, Fla. (New Smyrna Beach)
OL	Duke Robinson	6-5	352	Jr.	Oklahoma	Bob Stoops	Atlanta, Ga. (Washington)
OL	Ryan Clady	6-6	317	Jr.	Boise St.	Chris Petersen	Rialto, Calif. (Eisenhower)
QB	Matt Ryan	6-5	220	Sr.	Boston College	Jeff Jagodzinski	Exton, Pa. (William Penn Charter)
RB	Darren McFadden*	6-2	212	Jr.	Arkansas	Houston Nutt	Little Rock, Ark. (Pulaski Oak Grove)
RB	Jonathan Stewart	5-11	230	Jr.	Oregon	Mike Bellotti	Lacey, Wash. (Timberline)
Defense Pos.	Name	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	School	Coach	Hometown (High School)
DL	Glenn Dorsey*	6-2	299	Sr.	LSU	Les Miles	Gonzales, La. (East Ascension)
DL	Chris Long	6-4	280	Sr.	Virginia	Al Groh	Ivy, Va. (St. Anne’s-Bellfield)
DL	George Selvie	6-4	242	So.	South Florida	Jim Leavitt	Pensacola, Fla. (Pine Forest)
DL	Sedrick Ellis	6-2	305	Sr.	USC	Pete Carroll	Chino, Calif. (Chino)
LB	James Laurinaitis	6-3	240	Jr.	Ohio St.	Jim Tressel	Hamel, Minn. (Wayzata)
LB	Xavier Adibi	6-2	236	Sr.	Virginia Tech	Frank Beamer	Hampton, Va. (Phoebus)
LB	J Lemen	6-3	243	Sr.	Illinois	Ron Zook	Champaign, Ill. (Central)
DB	Dwight Lowery*	6-1	185	Sr.	San Jose St.	Dick Tomey	Santa Cruz, Calif. (Soquel)
DB	Aqib Talib	6-0	205	Jr.	Kansas	Mark Mangino	Richardson, Texas (Berkner)
DB	Brandon Flowers	5-10	200	Sr.	Virginia Tech	Frank Beamer	Delray Beach, Fla. (Atlantic)
DB	Mike Jenkins	6-0	197	Sr.	South Florida	Jim Leavitt	Bradenton, Fla. (Southeast)
Specialists Pos.	Name	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	School	Coach	Hometown (High School)
P	Chris Miller	6-2	205	Jr.	Ball St.	Brady Hoke	Libertyville, Ill. (Carmel)
PK	Taylor Mehlhaff	5-11	184	Sr,	Wisconsin	Brett Bielema	Aberdeen, S.D. (Central)
AP	DeSean Jackson	6-0	172	Jr.	California	Jeff Tedford	Long Beach, Calif. (Poly)

*-2006 All-American

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