Pitt's Calijah Kancey, Izzy Abanikanda, Penn State's Joey Porter Jr. named AP All-Americans

Pitt defensive tackle Calijah Kancey was named Monday to the Associated Press All-America first team, his third such honor since the end of the regular season.

Pitt running back Israel Abanikanda, who leads the nation in total touchdowns (21) and average per-game scoring (11.6), was named to the AP third team after rushing for 1,431 yards.

Kancey was previously recognized as a first-team All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation and Football Writers Association of America (FWAA). He also was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year.

Kancey recorded 7 1/2 sacks among his 14 1/2 tackles for a loss this season. His average of 1.32 TFLs per game leads the nation’s interior defenders.

Kancey is one of three ACC players named to the AP’s first team, joining N.C. State kicker Christopher Dunn and Miami safety Kamren Kinchen.

Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr., a North Allegheny graduate, was named to the AP’s second team.

USC leads the nation in first-team selections, with Heisman Trophy winner and quarterback Caleb Williams joined by offensive lineman Andrew Vorhees and defensive end Tuli Tuipulotu.

The Associated Press, FWAA and Walter Camp are three of the five teams used in the NCAA’s selection of an annual college football consensus All-America team. The others are Sporting News (announced Tuesday) and American Football Coaches Association (Wednesday).

Here is a list of the entire AP first team:

Offense

Quarterback — Caleb Williams, second-year, USC.

Running backs — Bijan Robinson, third-year, Texas; Blake Corum, third-year, Michigan.

Tackles — Peter Skoronski, third-year, Northwestern; Joe Alt, second-year, Notre Dame.

Guard — O’Cyrus Torrence, fourth-year, Florida; Andrew Vorhees, sixth-year, USC.

Center — John Michael Schmitz, sixth-year, Minnesota.

Tight end — Michael Mayer, third-year, Notre Dame.

Wide receivers — Marvin Harrison Jr., second-year, Ohio State; Jalin Hyatt, third-year, Tennessee; Xavier Hutchinson, third-year, Iowa State.

All-purpose player — Deuce Vaughn, third-year, Kansas State.

Kicker — Christopher Dunn, fifth-year, N.C. State.

Defense

Edge rushers — Will Anderson Jr., third-year, Alabama; Tuli Tuipulotu, third-year, USC.

Tackles — Jalen Carter, third-year, Georgia; Calijah Kancey, fourth-year, Pitt.

Linebackers — Ivan Pace Jr., fourth-year, Cincinnati; Jack Campbell, fourth-year, Iowa; Drew Sanders, third-year, Arkansas.

Cornerbacks — Clark Phillips III, third-year, Utah; Devon Witherspoon, fourth-year, Illinois.

Safeties — Kamren Kinchen, second-year, Miami; Christopher Smith, fifth-year, Georgia.

Defensive back — Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, fourth-year, TCU.

Punter — Bryce Baringer, sixth-year, Michigan State.