Washington State defensive tackle Hercules Mata’afa was named a first team All-American by the Associated Press Monday.
Mata’afa, a junior from Lahaina, Hawaii, led the Pac-12 with 21.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks this season. He was named the Associated Press’ Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year last week, and was the only player to be named to two different spots on the AP All-Pac-12 team.
Mata’afa was also named a Walter Camp Football Foundation First Team All-American last week. The addition of AP first team All-American honors means Mata’afa is now one first team All-American nomination away from becoming WSU’s first defensive consensus All-American since Rien Long in 2002.