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LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – A day before playing his final collegiate football game, UNLV senior star Jackson Woodard was named Second Team All-America by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) Tuesday.
Woodard (Little Rock, AR), previously named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, becomes the first linebacker in Rebel history to be chosen by one of the five major All-America teams recognized by the NCAA (FWAA, AP, AFCA, Walter Camp and The Sporting News). He also is just the third UNLV player overall picked by the FWAA, joining punter Joe Kristosik in 1998 and kicker Jose Pizano last year.
He is the second Rebel defender honored in as many days as safety Jalen Catalon was tabbed by the Associated Press on Monday. After a 20-year drought at the school (not counting freshman-only teams), Woodard becomes the fifth All-American from UNLV over the past two seasons, joining Catalon this year and PK Pizano, WR Ricky White III and KR Jacob De Jesus in 2023.
Woodard has essentially now completed the All-America trifecta, previously being honored nationally both for his academics and for his community service, to lay claim to the title of most accomplished UNLV football player in history.
With one game remaining this season, Woodard is ninth in UNLV single-season history with 124 total tackles, ranks eighth in the nation with 17 tackles-for-loss, stands fourth in the MW with 13 passes defended and second in the league with two fumble recoveries, including one for a touchdown in the Battle for the Fremont Cannon vs. UNR. In addition, his four interceptions are the second-most for a linebacker in the country this fall.
The Rebels, ranked 24th in the nation, will play in back-to-back bowls for the first time in program history when they face Cal on Wednesday in the Art of Sport LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk at SoFi Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. PT and the game will be televised by ESPN.
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