TEMPE, Ariz. –Arizona State placed six student-athletes on Phil Steele’s 2016 Postseason All Pac-12 teams announced by the publication Monday afternoon, while Freshman N’Keal Harry was announced to the 2016 Campus Insiders All-America Freshman Team, announced Tuesday.
Senior place-kicker Zane Gonzalez and linebacker Koron Crump claimed first team Phil Steele honors, while defensive lineman Jojo Wicker and punter Matt Haack claimed second team recognition. Senior punt returner Tim White and linebacker Laiu Moeakiola rounded out the Sun Devils’ selections with third team accolades.
Gonzalez, a senior from Deer Park, Texas, won the 2016 Lou Groza Award after making an FBS-leading 14 field goals from at least 40 yards out this past season. He was a remarkable 7-for-9 on attempts from 50 yards or more, a mark that represents the second-most ever from long distance in an FBS season, including the longest field goal of the year, a 59 yarder that gave him the all-time record for career points by a kicker.
Crump appeared in all 12 games for the Sun Devils. The Junior College transfer led the Sun Devils with nine sacks in 2016 leading to 10 tackles for loss effort that resulted in negative 70 yards of total offense by opponents. Crump recorded a career-high 10 tackles in the Sun Devils' game at Oregon, and played a major role in leading a defense that held four opponents to less than 100 yards rushing in 2016.
Wicker, an outstanding defensive lineman from Long Beach, Calif., earned second team honors after recording 39 total tackles in 2016, that included 11 tackles for loss. His 27 solo tackles led all defensive lineman last season. Wicker also recorded a forced fumble, three pass breakups, a fumble recovery and one quarterback hurry in 2016.
Haack, one of the nation’s best punters, joined Wicker on the All-Pac-12 Second Team following a season where he carded 66 punts for 2,897 yards. His 43.9 yards per punt ranked 19th-nationally and included a career long 76-yard punt.
Moekiola earned third team honors after finishing his 2016 campaign with 55 total tackles while adding nine pass breakups and one interception that all but sealed a Sun Devil victory in San Antonio over UTSA. He received All-Pac-12 honorable mention accolades, marking his second all-conference honor after receiving post season accolades following the 2014 season.
White, a senior wide receiver from Santa Clarita, Calif., joined Moekiola on the All-Pac-12 Third Team as a punt returner. White ranked third in the Pac-12 with 20 punt returns on the year. He averaged 12.7 yards per return, a mark that ranked in the top-10 in punt return yards averaged among all players in the power-5.
Harry earned freshman first team honors from Campus Insiders following a stellar 2016 season. The Chandler, Ariz., native became the first true freshman to start a season opener at ASU. Harry broke Zach Miller's freshman record of receptions by a freshman, finishing the season with 58. He also set the school freshman receiving yardage record with 659 yards.
Gonzalez also earned All-America recognition from both Phil Steele Magazine and Fox Sports. His nine All-America First Team honors are the most for an ASU player since Terrell Suggs claimed 10 first team nods en route to becoming ASU’s second unanimous All-American in 2002. He is now just one First Team recognition away from becoming ASU’s third unanimous All-American since Suggs and Al Harris were named unanimous All-Americans in 2002 and 1978, respectively.
Zane Gonzalez First Team All-America Selections:
Sporting News*
Pro Football Focus
USA Today
Sports Illustrated
Walter Camp*
Associated Press*
Phil Steele Magazine
Football Writers Association of America*
Fox Sports
*Denotes All-America teams taken into account for unanimous and consensus All-America recognition.
Senior place-kicker Zane Gonzalez and linebacker Koron Crump claimed first team Phil Steele honors, while defensive lineman Jojo Wicker and punter Matt Haack claimed second team recognition. Senior punt returner Tim White and linebacker Laiu Moeakiola rounded out the Sun Devils’ selections with third team accolades.
Gonzalez, a senior from Deer Park, Texas, won the 2016 Lou Groza Award after making an FBS-leading 14 field goals from at least 40 yards out this past season. He was a remarkable 7-for-9 on attempts from 50 yards or more, a mark that represents the second-most ever from long distance in an FBS season, including the longest field goal of the year, a 59 yarder that gave him the all-time record for career points by a kicker.
Crump appeared in all 12 games for the Sun Devils. The Junior College transfer led the Sun Devils with nine sacks in 2016 leading to 10 tackles for loss effort that resulted in negative 70 yards of total offense by opponents. Crump recorded a career-high 10 tackles in the Sun Devils' game at Oregon, and played a major role in leading a defense that held four opponents to less than 100 yards rushing in 2016.
Wicker, an outstanding defensive lineman from Long Beach, Calif., earned second team honors after recording 39 total tackles in 2016, that included 11 tackles for loss. His 27 solo tackles led all defensive lineman last season. Wicker also recorded a forced fumble, three pass breakups, a fumble recovery and one quarterback hurry in 2016.
Haack, one of the nation’s best punters, joined Wicker on the All-Pac-12 Second Team following a season where he carded 66 punts for 2,897 yards. His 43.9 yards per punt ranked 19th-nationally and included a career long 76-yard punt.
Moekiola earned third team honors after finishing his 2016 campaign with 55 total tackles while adding nine pass breakups and one interception that all but sealed a Sun Devil victory in San Antonio over UTSA. He received All-Pac-12 honorable mention accolades, marking his second all-conference honor after receiving post season accolades following the 2014 season.
White, a senior wide receiver from Santa Clarita, Calif., joined Moekiola on the All-Pac-12 Third Team as a punt returner. White ranked third in the Pac-12 with 20 punt returns on the year. He averaged 12.7 yards per return, a mark that ranked in the top-10 in punt return yards averaged among all players in the power-5.
Harry earned freshman first team honors from Campus Insiders following a stellar 2016 season. The Chandler, Ariz., native became the first true freshman to start a season opener at ASU. Harry broke Zach Miller's freshman record of receptions by a freshman, finishing the season with 58. He also set the school freshman receiving yardage record with 659 yards.
Gonzalez also earned All-America recognition from both Phil Steele Magazine and Fox Sports. His nine All-America First Team honors are the most for an ASU player since Terrell Suggs claimed 10 first team nods en route to becoming ASU’s second unanimous All-American in 2002. He is now just one First Team recognition away from becoming ASU’s third unanimous All-American since Suggs and Al Harris were named unanimous All-Americans in 2002 and 1978, respectively.
Zane Gonzalez First Team All-America Selections:
Sporting News*
Pro Football Focus
USA Today
Sports Illustrated
Walter Camp*
Associated Press*
Phil Steele Magazine
Football Writers Association of America*
Fox Sports
*Denotes All-America teams taken into account for unanimous and consensus All-America recognition.
