Scott McKillop Named All-American by College Football News
12/14/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 14, 2007
PITTSBURGH--Pitt linebacker Scott McKillop's status as one of the country's top defenders was reaffirmed today with the announcement of his selection to the CollegeFootballNews.com All-America Team.
McKillop was named a second team All-American by CFN. The junior has been named to three additional All-America squads this postseason, including Scout.com (first team), Sports Illustrated (second team) and The Associated Press (third team).
Earlier this week, CollegeFootballNews.com honored McKillop as the Big East's Defensive Player of the Year.
An unknown when the season began, McKillop built a national reputation this year and should be a leading candidate for the country's top defensive awards in 2008. The unanimous All-Big East selection leads the nation in tackles (12.58 tackles/game) and ranks second in solo stops (8.17 avg.).
In just his first season as a starter, the 6-foot-2, 245-pound "Mike" linebacker enjoyed one of the most productive seasons ever by a Pitt defender. McKillop (Export, Pa./Kiski Area) finished with 151 total tackles, the third highest single-season total in Pitt history. He also compiled 9.0 tackles for loss, three sacks, two fumble recoveries, an interception and seven pass breakups.
McKillop was a reserve his first two seasons behind All-America H.B. Blades before seizing the starting role this year. He emerged as the centerpiece of a unit that is seventh nationally in total defense, yielding just 297.67 yards per game.
The Panthers also boast lofty national rankings in pass defense (fourth, 167.25 yards/game), sacks (tied for 19th, 2.92 sacks/game), pass efficiency defense (27th, 113.96 rating) and rush defense (35th, 130.42 yards/game).
McKillop is one of seven returning starters for Pitt's defense in 2008. The Panthers return 17 starters overall, including two specialists.