BATON ROUGE — LSU defensive standouts LaRon Landry and Glenn Dorsey have both been named to the Associated Press’ First-Team All-America squad, the news organization announced on Tuesday.
Landry, a senior from Ama, La., was one of two safeties on the team, while Dorsey, a junior from Gonzales, La., was one of two defensive tackles on to the squad.
It’s the first time since 1997 that the Tigers have had two players earn First-Team All-America honors from the AP when punter Chad Kessler and offensive guard Alan Faneca were honored.
It also represents the first time since 1970 that the Tigers have had two players on the same side of the football named to the team. That year, linebacker Mike Anderson and safety Tommy Casanova were First-Team All-America selections by the AP.
“This is another well-deserved honor for these two young men,” LSU coach Les Miles said. “LaRon and Glenn have worked extremely hard and have played such a key role in the success of our football team this year. What they have accomplished on the field is a tribute to their commitment to this football program, but they have also carried themselves in a first class fashion off the field as well.”
Landry and Dorsey were both recognized earlier this month as All-America selections by the American Football Coaches Association. Landry was also named Second-Team All-America by the Walter Camp Football Foundation.
Landry, who was a Third-Team AP All-America in 2005, currently leads an LSU team that ranks No. 2 in the nation in total defense and No. 3 nationally in scoring defense with 68 tackles. Landry, who has started 47 consecutive games, also has 3.5 tackles for losses, two interceptions and a sack to his credit.
Dorsey, despite being double-teamed most of the season, still managed to record 59 tackles to go with 8.5 tackles for losses and three sacks. He was twice named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Lineman of the Week in 2006.
LSU is one of only five schools from across the country with more than one player named to the AP First-Team All-America squad. Ohio State and Michigan led all teams with three first-team selections.
The Tigers were also the only squad from the SEC to be represented on the team by more than one player. Arkansas, Florida, and Ole Miss each had one player named to the team.
First Team
Offense
Quarterback – Troy Smith, 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, senior, Ohio State.
Running backs – Darren McFadden, 6-2, 212, sophomore, Arkansas; Steve Slaton, 5-10, 195, sophomore, West Virginia.
Wide receivers – Calvin Johnson, 6-5, 235, junior, Georgia, Tech; Dwayne Jarrett, 6-5, 210, junior, Southern California.
Tight end – Matt Spaeth, 6-7, 265, senior, Minnesota.
Tackles – Jake Long, 6-7, 313, senior, Michigan; Joe Thomas, 6-8, 313, senior, Wisconsin.
Guards – Josh Beekman, 6-2, 318, senior, Boston College; Justin Blalock, 6-4, 335, senior, Texas.
Center – Dan Mozes, 6-4, 290, senior, West Virginia.
Kicker – Justin Medlock, 6-0, 197, senior, UCLA.
All-purpose player – DeSean Jackson, 6-0, 178, sophomore, California.
Defense
Ends – LaMarr Woodley, 6-2, 269, senior, Michigan; Gaines Adams, 6-5, 265, senior, Clemson.
Tackles – Glenn Dorsey, 6-2, 299, junior, LSU; Quinn Pitcock, 6-3, 295, senior, Ohio State.
Linebackers – Paul Posluszny, 6-2, 238, senior, Penn State; Patrick Willis, 6-2, 240, senior, Mississippi; James Laurinaitis, 6-3, 244, sophomore, Ohio State.
Cornerbacks – Leon Hall, 5-11, 193, senior, Michigan; Daymeion Hughes, 6-0, 188, senior, California.
Safeties – LaRon Landry, 6-2, 202, senior, LSU; Reggie Nelson, 6-1, 175, junior, Florida.
Punter – Daniel Sepulveda, 6-3, 230, senior, Baylor.
Second-team
Offense
Quarterback – Brady Quinn, senior, Notre Dame.
Running backs – Ray Rice, sophomore, Rutgers; Mike Hart, junior, Michigan.
Wide receivers – Jarrett Dillard, sophomore, Rice; Jeff Samardzija, senior, Notre Dame.
Tight end – Zach Miller, junior, Arizona State.
Tackles – Sam Baker, junior, Southern California; Arron Sears, senior, Tennessee.
Guards – Ben Grubbs, senior, Auburn; T.J. Downing, senior, Ohio State.
Center – Ryan Kalil, senior, Southern California.
Kicker – Arthur Carmody, junior, Louisville.
All-purpose player – Ted Ginn. Jr., junior, Ohio State.
Defense
Ends – Justin Hickman, senior, UCLA; Mkristo Bruce, senior, Washington State.
Tackles – Alan Branch, junior, Michigan; Amobi Okoye, senior, Louisville.
Linebackers – Dan Connor, junior, Penn State; Ameer Ismail, senior, Western Michigan; David Harris, senior, Michigan.
Cornerbacks – Aaron Ross, senior, Texas; Ryan Smith, senior, Florida.
Safeties – Eric Weddle, senior, Utah; Michael Griffin, senior, Texas.
Punter – Durant Brooks, junior, Georgia Tech.
Third-team
Offense
Quarterback – Colt Brennan, junior, Hawaii.
Running backs – Ian Johnson, sophomore, Boise State; Garrett Wolfe, senior, Northern Illinois.
Wide receivers – Robert Meachem, junior, Tennessee; Johnnie Lee Higgins, senior, UTEP.
Tight end – Jonny Harline, senior, BYU.
Tackles – Levi Brown, senior, Penn State; Tony Igoh, senior, Arkansas.
Guards – Kurt Quarterman, senior, Louisville; Nathan Bennett, senior, Clemson.
Center – Jonathan Luigs, sophomore, Arkansas.
Kicker – Mason Crosby, senior, Colorado.
All-purpose player – Sammie Stroughter, junior, Oregon State.
Defense
Ends – Quentin Moses, senior, Georgia; Anthony Spencer, senior, Purdue.
Tackles – Jay Alford, senior, Penn State; Eric Foster, junior, Rutgers.
Linebackers – H.B. Blades, senior, Pittsburgh; Rufus Alexander, senior, Oklahoma; Brandon Siler, junior, Florida.
Cornerbacks – Dwight Lowery, junior, San Jose State; Brandon Flowers, sophomore, Virginia Tech.
Safeties – Tra Battle, senior, Georgia; Tom Zbikowski, senior, Notre Dame.
Punter – Jeremy Kapinos, senior, Penn State.