Washington State’s Hercules Mata’afa named first team Associated Press All-American

PULLMAN – Washington State’s Hercules Mata’afa was named to two more All-American lists on Monday, earning first team honors from the Associated Press and second team recognition from the Football Writers Association of America.

The defensive tackle, who was named a first team All-American by the Walter Camp Foundation last week, will be a consensus All-American if he earns first team honors from Sporting News and/or the American Football Coaches Association.

Mata’afa led the Pac-12 with 21.5 tackles-for-loss and 9.5 sacks and was named the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year by the AP. Mata’afa was also named first team All-Pac-12 defensive tackle and defensive end by the AP.

The junior from Lahaina, Hawaii, saw his chances at being named a unanimous All-American end when the FWAA listed him on the second team. A player has to be named to the first team by all five organizations to earn the unanimous distinction.

WSU’s 2016 unanimous All-American offensive lineman, Cody O’Connell, was named a second team All-American by the AP on Monday. O’Connell, a first team Walter Camp All-American, started in all 12 games this season and was named first team All-Pac-12.