At 6-foot-3 and 310 pounds, Worthy lead the Spartan defense to top rankings in the Big Ten for rush defense at 104.3 yards per game and total defense at 272.7 yards per game and 41 sacks.

The last MSU defensive lineman to earn First-Team All-American honors was Charles “Bubba” Smith in 1966. Smith died earlier this year before the season began.

Worthy, who normally wears number 99, wore Smith’s retired 95 jersey Sept. 17, during the Spartans match up with rival Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. Worthy recorded a season high four stops and recovered a fumble during the 31-13 loss.

Worthy said he was pleased to receive the honor and gave credit to his coaching staff and teammates.

“This is an unbelievable accomplishment, but I can’t take all of the credit for myself,” Worthy said according to msuspartan.com. “With our scheme, Coach (Pat) Narduzzi put me in position to make a lot of big plays. I’m fortunate to play for a great defense – one that has ranked among the nation’s Top 10 in total defense all season.”