FWAA Miami (Ohio) News

Arizona's Fifita, Purdue's Thieneman highlight 2023 FWAA Freshman All-America Team

In a crowded field of outstanding quarterbacks in the Pac-12 Conference this season, Arizona's Noah Fifita stood tall guiding the Wildcats into title contention and a 10-win season while rewriting his school’s record book. Purdue safety Dillon Thieneman was a national interceptions and tackles leader leaving his mark as one of the top playmaking defenders in the Big Ten Conference. For their dynamic play on both sides of the ball, the Football Writers Association of America awarded the pair as its Offensive and Defensive Freshman Players of the Year presented by Chris Doering Mortgage. Fifita and Thieneman headline the FWAA’s 2023 Freshman All-America Team, a list of 32 players who had standout seasons among their more experienced peers.

Seven repeat honorees highlight 2023 FWAA All-America Team presented by the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic

The 2023 Football Writers Association of America All-America Team, presented in partnership with the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, is highlighted by seven repeat All-Americans and a record 10 players from the four teams competing in the College Football Playoff at the front of players from 36 different schools. There are 22 schools represented from eight Football Bowl Subdivision conferences on the first team and all 10 conferences plus an Independent are included on the overall 54-man team.

Twelve coaches named 2023 Eddie Robinson Award finalists

The Football Writers Association of America, in conjunction with the Allstate Sugar Bowl, announced 12 finalists for the 2023 Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award on Tuesday. The award winner this season will be chosen from among a list that includes one repeat finalist and two other finalists from previous seasons, including one who is now a nine-time finalist. Eight of the finalists won conference championships this year, including three who will compete in the upcoming College Football Playoff; seven of the honorees are first-time finalists.

South Alabama is Cheez-It National Team of the Week

The South Alabama Jaguars scored on their opening possession and never trailed in a 33-7 win at Oklahoma State, gaining 6.3 yards per play while rolling up 395 total yards en route to their first win over a Big 12 opponent. For romping to the program’s second win over a Power Five opponent, South Alabama earned the Cheez-It National Team of the Week honor, as selected by the All-America Committee of the Football Writers Association of America.