For the first time ever, the Associated Press released a Midseason All-America team to honor those who have excelled through college football's first seven weeks.
Northern Illinois defensive end Sutton Smith earned a spot on the second team after a stellar start to the 2017 season. The redshirt sophomore ranks second in the FBS in sacks with 8.5, and he has brought down a quarterback in all five games Northern Illinois has played against FBS competition this season.
Smith checks in at fifth on the team with 32 tackles, and he leads college football in tackles for loss with 16.