Ty Jordan Named AP Pac-12 Newcomer of the Year, Freshman All-American
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah freshman running back Ty Jordan continues to pull in top honors, being named the 2020 AP Pac-12 Newcomer of the Year and The Athletic's Freshman All-America first-team. Utah earned five overall selections to the AP All-Pac-12 team.
Jordan, who was named Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year and All-Pac-12 second-team by the league earlier this week, also earned AP Pac-12 second-team honors. The Mesquite, Texas, native led the Utes in carries (83), rushing yards (597), rushing yards per game (119.4), rushing yards per carry (7.2), touchdowns (6) and all-purpose yards (723) this season.
Jordan, who was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Week in the last three weeks of the season, ranks 11th overall and first among freshmen in rushing yards per carry and ranks third overall in the Pac-12 in rushing touchdowns (6). Jordan finished the year with three straight 100-yard rushing games, the first time a freshman has accomplished the feat since 1995.
He scored all six of his rushing touchdowns in the final three games of the season, including a career-high three touchdowns (22 carries, 154 yards) in Utah's season finale win over Washington State. His season-high performance came against Oregon State, recording a career-best 27 carries for 167 yards and one touchdown.
Sophomore placekicker Jadon Redding and junior linebacker Devin Lloyd also earned their second first-team nods of the season after being named All-Pac-12 first-team by the league and by AP. One was known for scoring points and the other for stopping opposing offenses with Redding leading the Utes in points (41; 8-8 FGs, 17-17 PATs) and Lloyd racking up a team-high 48 tackles (10.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks).
Jordan, junior all-purpose performer Britain Covey and junior defensive end Mika Tafua round out Utah's AP All-Pac-12 selections on the second team. Covey led Utah in punts return (129), kickoff return (113) and receiving yards (264) this season with four touchdowns (1 PR, 3 rec) while Tafua led the Utah defensive line with 14 tackles (3.0 TFL) and a team-high three sacks.