BATON ROUGE — LSU defensive tackle Chad Lavalais is well on his way to becoming one of the most decorated football players in school history as the senior earned a spot on the prestigious Walter Camp All-America Team.
Lavalais, a native of Marksville, La., has now been named First Team All-America by several major news organizations, including the Associated Press, ESPN.com, The Sporting News, SI.com, and the Football Writers Association of America.
Lavalais was also one of four finalist for the Nagurksi Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s top defensive players as well as being one of three finalist for the Outland Trophy, which goes to college football’s top interior lineman. Lavalais is the first Tiger to be recognized on the Walter Camp Team since 2001 when wide receiver Josh Reed earned a spot on the squad.
Lavalais is the anchor of the LSU defense that leads the nation in scoring defense (10.8) and rushing touchdowns allowed (3) and the Tigers are second in the country in total defense, allowing only 259.5 yards per game.
Lavalais is one of four Tigers who have earned First Team All-America honors this season, joining offensive guard Stephen Peterman, cornerback Corey Webster and return specialist Skyler Green. Lavalais is also the ninth LSU player to earn a spot on the Walter Camp team, joining past Tigers such as Josh Reed, Alan Faneca, Charles Alexander and Tommy Casanova on the list.
For the year, Lavalais has recorded 57 tackles, 16 of which have gone for losses. He also leads the Tigers with seven sacks and is second on the team with 23 quarterback hurries.
Oklahoma, LSU’s opponent in the Sugar Bowl on Jan.4, place five players on the team. Among the Sooners on the Walter Camp team are quarterback Jason White, linebacker Teddy Lehman and defensive tackle Tommie Harris. Lehman and Harris were both repeat selections.
Other Southeastern Conference players on the Walter Camp team include offensive tackle Shawn Andrews (Arkansas), defensive back Keiwan Ratliff (Florida) and punter Dustin Colquitt (Tennessee).
2003 Walter Camp Football Foundation All-America Team
OFFENSE
Pos. Name School Yr. Hgt. Wgt. Hometown
WR Larry Fitzgerald Pittsburgh Soph. 6-3 225 Minneapolis, MN
WR Mike Williams USC Soph. 6-5 230 Tampa, FL
TE Kellen Winslow Miami (FL) Jr. 6-5 250 San Diego, CA
OL Shawn Andrews Arkansas Jr. 6-5 370 Camden, AR
OL Robert Gallery Iowa Sr. 6-7 320 Masonville, IA
OL Jacob Rogers USC Sr. 6-5 305 Oxnard, CA
OL Alex Barron Florida State Jr. 6-6 316 Orangeburg, SC
C Jake Grove Virginia Tech Sr. 6-3 300 Forest, VA
QB Jason White Oklahoma Sr. 6-2 221 Tuttle, OK
RB Kevin Jones Virginia Tech Jr. 6-0 221 Chester, PA
RB Chris Perry Michigan Sr. 6-1 228 Advance, NC
PK Nick Browne TCU Sr. 5-10 172 Garland, TX
DEFENSE
Pos. Name School Yr. Hgt. Wgt. Hometown
DL Tommie Harris Oklahoma Jr. 6-3 289 Killeen, TX
DL Dave Ball UCLA Sr. 6-6 275 Dixon, CA
DL Chad Lavalais LSU Sr. 6-3 292 Marksville, LA
DL Will Smith Ohio State Sr. 6-4 265 Utica, NY
LB Teddy Lehman Oklahoma Sr. 6-2 243 Fort Gibson, OK
LB Jonathan Vilma Miami (FL) Sr. 6-1 220 Coral Gables, FL
LB Derrick Johnson Texas Jr. 6-4 230 Waco, TX
DB Will Allen Ohio State Sr. 6-2 190 Dayton, OH
DB Keiwan Ratliff Florida Sr. 5-10 178 Columbus, OH
DB Sean Taylor Miami (FL) Jr. 6-3 230 Miami, FL
DB Derrick Strait Oklahoma Sr. 5-11 195 Austin, TX
P Dustin Colquitt Tennessee Jr. 6-2 196 Knoxville, TN
KR Antonio Perkins Oklahoma Jr. 6-0 188 Lawton, OK