Junior defensive tackle Jerel Worthy was named First-Team All-American by The Associated Press on Wednesday. The six-foot-three 310-pound lineman is the first Spartan defensive lineman to earn first-team Associated Press honors since defensive end Bubba Smith in 1966.
This season, Worthy anchored the Spartans’ defense — which is now fifth in the nation — ranking fourth on the team in tackles for loss with 8.5 tackles for 40 yards, which also included 3.5 sacks for a total loss of 28 yards. Worthy has also been credited with 25 total tackles this season with 14 quarterback hits and 10 quarterback hurries.
In eight of MSU’s 13 games this season, Worthy recorded a tackle for loss and has proved to be an crucial element of the Spartan defense.
Worthy’s Associated Press honors make it the fourth consecutive year that MSU has had a player earn a place on the All-American First-Team — which began with running back Javon Ringer in 2008 and linebacker Greg Jones in the 2009 and 2010 seasons.
“Jerel Worthy has been a three-year starter, and throughout his career, he has shown the ability to make big plays,” head coach Mark Dantonio said in a release from the athletics department.
“Over the last two years, he has put together some dominating performances. Jerel helps anchor a defensive front seven that has ranked first in the Big Ten against the run all season long.”
In addition to his Associated Press honors, Worthy also was named First-Team All-Big Ten by both coaches and media, and he earned First-Team All-America honors from the American Football Coaches Association, CBSSports.com, Yahoo! Sports and NBCSports.com.
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