The Associated Press preseason All-America football team features a couple players with local ties, both in black and gold. Missouri tight end Albert Okwuegbunam and Iowa defensive end A.J. Epenesa were both first-team selections. Both are hoping to do more on the field this fall.
Okwuegbunam, from Springfield, Ill., was poised for an All-American season last year before breaking his scapula at Florida on Nov. 3, an injury that ended his redshirt sophomore season with three games and a bowl still to play. He managed to catch 43 passes for 466 yards and six touchdowns and become a finalist for the John Mackey Award given to the nation’s best tight end.