James named to Coaches' All-America Team

By Pac-12 Conference Published: Dec 5, 2011 at 3:19 PM PDT Last Updated: Dec 5, 2011 at 7:36 PM PDT

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - Three Pac-12 football players were named to the 2011 AFCA FBS Coaches’ All-America Team, the American Football Coaches Association announced Monday.

Stanford senior offensive lineman David DeCastro and senior quarterback Andrew Luck were named to the offensive team while Oregon junior running back LaMichael James was named to the specialist team as an all-purpose player.

DeCastro, a finalist for the Outland Trophy, helped anchor a Stanford offensive line which allowed just nine sacks this season while paving the way for the Cardinal's running game to average 207.92 yards on the ground.

Luck, a finalist for the Walter Camp Foundation Player of the Year, Maxwell and Davey O'Brien Awards, completed 261 of 373 passes (70.0) for 3,170 yards and 35 touchdowns this season.

James leads the nation in rushing with 149.64 yards per game. He has 1,646 yards this season, becoming the first player in conference history to rush for 1,500 or more yards three times in a career.

The AFCA has selected an All-America team since 1945 and currently selects teams in all five of its divisions. The team is exclusively chosen by the coaches themselves. 
 

RELEASE BY OREGON MEDIA SERVICES

WACO, Texas -- University of Oregon running back LaMichael James was named to the 2011 AFCA FBS Coaches' All-America Team at the all-purpose position, joining Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon as the only repeat members from the 2010 AFCA team, the American Football Coaches Association announced Monday.

James, who became Oregon's first unanimous All-America last season, is the third player in school history and first since halfback Mel Renfro in 1962 and '63, to be named a two-time All-America.

A redshirt junior from Texarkana, Texas, James leads the nation in rushing average at 149.6 yards per game, and ranks second in all-purpose average at 182.9. Now with 1,646 rushing yards this season, he is the only player in Pac-12 history with three seasons of 1,500 yards or more.

James was named the MVP of the inaugural Pac-12 Championship Game after rushing for 219 yards and three touchdowns in Oregon's win over UCLA on Dec. 2.

Oregon's career rushing leader ranks third all-time in conference history with 4,923 yards. James is a finalist for the 2011 Doak Walker Award, an honor he took home last season as the nation's top running back.

The AFCA has selected an All-America team since 1945 and currently selects teams in all five of its divisions. The team is exclusively chosen by the coaches themselves.

Complete 2011 AFCA All-America Team