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Olaseni, Lloyd Named Sporting News All-Americans

by Utah Athletics
Dec 14, 2021

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Football team was represented on both sides of the ball on the 2021 Sporting News All-America teams with linebacker Devin Lloyd earning first-team and offensive lineman Bamidele Olaseni earning second-team honors.

Lloyd is Utah's 10th consensus All-American in program history and has already earned All-America first-team status from six other outlets this season, giving him nine in his career. This is Olaseni's first All-America nod as a Ute, also being named NJCAA All-America as a sophomore at Garden City becoming coming to Salt Lake City.

Lloyd, who was named the 2021 Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year, has a team-high 106 tackles (22.0 TFL, 8.0 sacks) this season, which ranks second in the Pac-12 in total tackles. His 22.0 tackles for loss ranks him No. 2 in the FBS, recording at least 1.0 tackle for loss in 10 of Utah's 13 games, including his career-high 5.0 against Stanford.

The Chula Vista, Calif., native is tied for the lead among linebackers in the FBS in total interceptions (4) and is one of just two linebackers in the country that have scored multiple pick-sixes. One of his pick-sixes came against Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship Game, complimenting his seven tackles to earn MVP of the game.

Olaseni became a constant presence on the Utah offensive line this season, starting 10 of Utah's 13 games at left tackle to earn All-Pac-12 second-team recognition. He has helped the Utah offensive line to rank second in the Pac-12 in rushing offense (216.1), which also ranks 14th nationally.

The Utes only allowed five sacks during Pac-12 play, ranking first in the league with Utah allowing just 12 sacks overall this season, which ranks seventh in the FBS. During Pac-12 play, the Utes lead the conference in rushing touchdowns (29), averaging 240.78 yards rushing through those nine Pac-12 games.

Utah will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022 when they take on the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl. The game is set for a 2 p.m. PT/3 p.m. MT kick on ESPN.

Lloyd's 2021 Honors

  • Reese's Senior Bowl, CBS Sports, ESPN, Walter Camp, FWAA, AP, Sporting News All-America first-team
  • Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year
  • Pac-12 All-Conference First-Team
  • Pac-12 Championship Game MVP
  • Lott IMPACT Trophy and Butkus Award Finalist
  • Chuck Bednarik Award and Walter Camp Player of the Year Semifinalist
  • Reese's Senior Bowl Invitee
  • Midseason All-America: The Athletic, ESPN, CBS Sports, AP, Sporting News
  • Rose Bowl Game Pac-12 Player of the Week (Oct. 18)
  • Lott IMPACT Trophy Player of the Week (Oct. 12, Nov. 9)
  • Reese's Senior Bowl Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 27)
  • Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 7, Oct. 18, Nov. 8)
  • Preseason All-America: The Athletic, Athlon Sports, Walter Camp, Phil Steele

Olaseni's 2021 Honors

  • Sporting News All-America second-team
  • Pac-12 All-Conference second-team

 
 

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