Everywhere you looked around the University of Florida campus Wednesday, your eyes might have fallen upon an All-American.
Florida athletes were in honored in football, women’s soccer, volleyball and baseball, another testimony to the Gators’ overall athletic program.
Juniors Brandon Spikes and Brandon James were named to the first units of the Sporting News All-America football team, Spikes at middle linebacker and James as the junior athlete. Quarterback Tim Tebow was named to the second team, while cornerback Janoris Jenkins was named to the TSN Freshman All-American team.
Senior midfielder Ameera Abdullah was named to the second team of the Soccer America MVP team. The Soccer America MVP program was introduced in 1976 to honor the players who were most valuable players of their teams. A total of 22 are honored annually, and Abdullah made the second team.
Junior outfielder Matt den Dekker was named a preseason All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. Den Dekker was named to the second team. He is coming off a 2008 season during which he batted .333 with eight home runs and 48 runs batted in.
Freshman right-side/setter Kelly Murphy was named the Division I Freshman of the Year by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. The 6-foot-2 Murphy, a third-team AVCA All-American, is the first volleyball player in Florida history to be honored as Freshman of the Year.