SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 Sports) -Utes defensive end Star Lotulelei was named to the Associated Press All-American first team.
Lotulei is the fifth consensus All-American in Utah history, joining kicker Louie Sakoka (2008), defensive back Eric Weddle (2006), offensive tackle Jordan Gross (2002) and defensive lineman Luther Elliss (1994).
The 6-foot-4, 320-pound Lotulelei, a two-time first-team all-Pac-12 selection, finished the season with 42 tackles, including a team-high 11 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks. The senior also had four pass breakups, four fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles. He leads the Pac-12 and is tied for second in the nation in fumble recoveries (4).
BYU punter Riley Stephensen was named to the AP All-American second team, while Cougar linebacker Kyle Van Noy was named to the third team.
A 6-foot-3, 235-pound outside linebacker, Van Noy helped BYU limit opponents to just 266 yards and 14.7 points per game in 2012 to rank No. 3 in the nation in total defense and No. 5 in scoring defense. Van Noy made 11.5 sacks on the year to rank 10th nationally while totaling 18.5 tackles for loss overall, which ranks tied for 11th in the nation. His five forced fumbles ranks tied for fourth among all FBS players. Van Noy also added eight quarterback hurries, five pass breakups and an interception as a defensive playmaker for the Cougars.
Stephenson was the #2-ranked punter in the nation at 47.3 yards per punt, Stephenson led the nation with 26 punts of 50 or more yards and tied for second with 24 punts downed inside the 20-yard line. The 6-foot, 205-pound Ray Guy Award semifinalist helped BYU rank No. 2 as a team in net punting in 2012. The four-year starter twice had long punts of 61 yards during the season.
