Two Longhorns Make Preseason All-American List
AUSTIN, Texas – Two Texas Football players have been named preseason All-Americans by Athlon Sports. Junior OL Connor Williams was named a first-team All-American at left tackle, while junior P Michael Dickson was recognized on the third team.
Williams, a native of Coppell, Texas, was a consensus first team All-American in 2016. He was only the fourth sophomore in UT history to receive first-team All-America honors. Williams was named a semifinalist as well in 2016 for the Outland Trophy, which is awarded annually to the best interior lineman in college football. He started all 11 games in which he played in during his sophomore campaign and has started 23 of a possible 24 contests during his career. Williams was a freshman All-American in 2015.
Dickson, a native of Sydney, Australia, was named the Big 12 Conference Special Teams Player of the Year in 2016. He became UT's first-ever finalist for the Ray Guy Award, which is awarded annually to the top punter in college football. He started the season with a school-record and career-best 55.0 yards per punt average against Notre Dame and went on to set another school record with an average of 47.4 yards per punt on the season. He was named second team All-America by Sporting News, Football Writers Association of America and Phil Steele.