Three Panthers Named to AFCA All-America Team

Dec. 13, 2016

PITTSBURGH—Three Pitt players were named to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-America Team released this morning.

Senior offensive guard Dorian Johnson was named a first team All-American, while sophomore all-purpose player Quadree Henderson and senior defensive end Ejuan Price were second-team selections.

Johnson (Belle Vernon, Pa./Belle Vernon Area) has been named a first team All-American by four different selectors. In addition to his AFCA honor, he was similarly recognized by ESPN.com, SI.com and Sporting News. Johnson was a second-team pick by the Walter Camp Football Foundation.

Henderson (Wilmington, Del./Alexis I. du Pont) has been named to seven All-America squads this month. He has been named a first-team selection as a kick returner by five selectors: Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), SI.com, Sporting News, USA TODAY and Walter Camp. Henderson was a second-team pick as an all-purpose player by AFCA and the Associated Press.

Price (Rankin, Pa./Woodland Hills) has been named to three All-America squads. In addition to his AFCA recognition, he was a second-team selection by USA TODAY and Walter Camp.

The trio helped lead the Panthers to an 8-4 record this season and Top 25 rankings in the Associated Press poll (No. 22) and College Football Playoff ratings (No. 23).

Johnson is the first Pitt offensive lineman to be selected a first team All-American in 22 years. He was a vital contributor to the highest scoring offense in Pitt history. The Panthers have compiled a record 508 points this season and boast the nation's No. 10 scoring offense at 42.3 points per game.

Johnson did not surrender a single sack this year. He was also integral for a Pitt ground attack that produced 35 touchdowns, the fourth most among Power 5 teams. One of the country's top pro prospects, Johnson will play in the prestigious Senior Bowl all-star game in January.

Henderson is the first All-America return man in Pitt history. He has four returns for touchdowns this season, including a nation-leading three on kickoffs. Henderson ranks second in the country in combined kick return yards (1,121) and fifth in kickoff return average (31.1).

Henderson is also among the country's top all-purpose players, ranking 11^th with an average of 159.75 per game. He has compiled 1,917 all-purpose yards, the fifth highest total in Pitt history. If Henderson hits his average in the Panthers' bowl game, he will become only the second Pitt player to reach 2,000 all-purpose yards in a season. Legendary tailback Tony Dorsett, who had 2,217 all-purpose yards during his 1976 Heisman Trophy season, is the only Pitt player to reach that milestone.

Price is one of the most disruptive defensive linemen in college football, leading the nation in tackles for loss (1.8 per game) and ranking sixth in sacks (1.0 per game). Incredibly, half of Price's 42 tackles this season have been behind the line of scrimmage. He has compiled 21 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, 13 QB hurries, three forced fumbles and a blocked extra point.

Price's 12 sacks this season are the most by a Pitt player in 25 years. He has 28.5 sacks for his career, which ranks fifth all-time in school annals.

Pitt will face Northwestern in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl on December 28 in New York City. The game, played at iconic Yankee Stadium, will kick off at 2 p.m., and be nationally televised by ESPN.

PITT 2016 ALL-AMERICA SELECTIONS (as of Dec. 13)

Quadree Henderson—Wide Receiver/Kick Returner

Football Writers Association of America All-American, Kick Returner (first team)

SI.com All-American, Kick Returner (first team)

Sporting News All-American, Kick Returner (first team)

USA TODAY All-American, Kick Returner (first team)

Walter Camp All-American, Kick Returner (first team)

American Football Coaches Association All-American, All-Purpose Player (second team)

Associated Press All-American, All-Purpose Player (second team)

Dorian Johnson—Offensive Guard

American Football Coaches Association All-American (first team)

ESPN.com All-American (first team)