Tyree Wilson named first team All-American by FWAA
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech senior outside linebacker Tyree Wilson received his highest honor so far this season Friday as he was tabbed a first team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).
Wilson is the 32nd Red Raider all-time to be selected as a first team All-American by one of the five NCAA-recognized organizations. He is the first Red Raider to be named a first team All-American since Antoine Wesley in 2018 and the first edge rusher/defensive end standout to do so since Montae Reagor in 1998.
Despite missing the final two games due to injury, Wilson remains one of the nation’s leaders with 14.0 tackles for loss, which still leads the Big 12 and ranks 12th in the FBS for per game average (1.40). He is also the Big 12 leader in sacks per game (0.70) after totaling 7.0 on the season from his spot on the edge of Texas Tech’s defensive front.
At the time of his injury, Wilson led all power-five players with 50 quarterback pressures according to Pro Football Focus. He also ranked tied for third in the power five for tackles for loss and was in the top 25 for sacks despite often facing double teams on passing downs. Wilson was one of only two power-five players at the time and one of seven players in the FBS to record 60 tackles on the season, at least 10.0 tackles for loss and at least 6.0 sacks.
The Red Raiders closed the regular season at 7-5 overall and 5-4 in Big 12 play, marking their most wins against conference foes since 2009. The strong debut under McGuire helped push Texas Tech to its 40th bowl appearance in its history as the Red Raiders will face Ole Miss on Dec. 28 in the TaxAct Texas Bowl.
Wilson will not play in the Texas Bowl as an injury against Kansas on Nov. 12 effectively ended his season. The senior from Henderson has already formally declared his intentions to forego his final year of eligibility for next spring’s NFL Draft where he is forecasted as a potential first-round selection.
The FWAA All-America Team, presented in partnership with the Goodyear Cotton Bowl, is one of five that compromise the NCAA’s consensus team, joining the Walter Camp Foundation (released Thursday), Associated Press (will be announced Monday), The Sporting News (will be announced Tuesday) and the American Football Coaches Association (will be announced Wednesday).
Wilson, a first team All-Big 12 by both the conference coaches and the Associated Press, was also recognized in the past week as an honorable mention All-American by Pro Football Focus and a first team All-American by The Athletic.
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Release provided by Matt Dowdy Texas Tech Athletics
