Dec. 11, 2017
By Jeff Shearer
AuburnTigers.com
AUBURN, Ala. - Three Auburn Tigers: running back Kerryon Johnson, offensive lineman Braden Smith and kicker Daniel Carlson earned second-team All-America honors Monday from the Football Writers Association of America.
Johnson, who finished ninth in the Heisman Trophy voting, has rushed for 1,320 yards this season, leading the SEC with 120 yards per game. His 17 rushing touchdowns rank No. 7 nationally.
Johnson averaged 10.4 points per game in 2017, seventh in FBS. He added two touchdown receptions and threw a TD pass in Auburn's 26-14 Iron Bowl win.
Smith started all 13 games at right guard, anchoring an offensive line that helped score a program-record 327 points in SEC regular season games.
Smith has started 40 consecutive games and has played in 51 in his Auburn career. His blocking helped Auburn score 40 or more points in eight games this season, including six SEC games, both program records.
Carlson is one of eight repeat members of the All-America team, making the FWAA second team for the second consecutive year. The only three-time finalist for the Lou Groza Award, Carlson is the SEC's all-time scoring leader with 471 points.
Carlson's 90 career field goals and 195 consecutive PATS also rank No. 1 in SEC history. Carlson's 81 percent field goal success rate ranks first in Auburn history, as do his 13 kicks of 50 yards or more.
The FWAA All-America Team was first selected in 1944, three years after the organization was formed.
Since 1945, the FWAA All-America Team has been among the five teams used to formulate the NCAA's annual consensus All-America team, which will be announced later this week. Since the 2002 season, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), The Associated Press, The Sporting News and the Walter Camp Football Foundation have joined the FWAA as the five designated selectors by the NCAA.
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @jeff_shearer