Odrick named first team AFCA All-American

Senior defensive tackle Jared Odrick has been named to the American Football Coaches Association All-America team.

He is Penn State's 94th first team All-American selection, and the 80th different player to earn first team honors.

The senior from Lebanon, Pa., was the Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Year and a first team all-conference selection.

"This is a great honor," Odrick stated in a release from Penn State. "There are a lot of great D-linemen across the country, so I'm flattered to receive this award. I think this honor speaks about the play of our defense as a whole all season. I'm privileged to be joining some of the great Penn State defensive linemen who have been All-Americans."

He joins Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, TCU defensive end Jerry Hughes, Georgia Tech defensive end Derrick Morgan and UCLA defensive tackle Brian Price on the first team.

Fighting double teams all season long, Odrick finished fifth on the team in tackles with 41. He also recorded 10 tackles for loss and six sacks. He was also credited with three quarterback hurries, a pass breakup and a blocked kick.

He started all 12 of Penn State's game this season.

Odrick is Penn State's sixth defensive lineman to earn first team in the past 10 years, according to the release from GoPSUSports.com. He joins Courtney Brown, Michael Haynes, Jimmy Kennedy, Tamba Hali and Aaron Maybin.

He is the 77th first team All-American to play under head coach Joe Paterno.