AP All-America squad expands to add wide receiver and defensive back | National sports

The structural change this year is the first since 2006, when the generic categories of “linemen” on both sides of the ball and “defensive backs” were broken down by specific position.

The addition of a third receiver and a fifth defensive back aligns with more offenses putting three or four receivers on the field instead of the traditional two and defenses regularly having a fifth player in the secondary replacing a linebacker or a lineman.

“The game has changed, without a doubt,” said Iowa State defensive coordinator Jon Heacock. It’s about trying to defend it. You see everyone finding ways to get more defensive full backs on the pitch. “

Each of the top 10 total attacking teams this season starts three receivers and seven of the top 10 total defense teams start five defensive backs; two of the other three opened games with five DB.

Senior Bowl Executive Director Jim Nagy called the PA’s decision to expand its All-America squad a smart move.

“It’s a full pass game now, all the showdowns,” said Nagy, an NFL scout for two decades. “The game is getting smaller. It’s more based on speed.

The AP has occasionally altered the structure of its All-America squad to represent the state of the game.

“Throughout the history of the All-America team, the AP has ensured that the team reflects the way the sport is played,” said the interim sports editor of the AP, Howie Rumberg. “We’ve felt the best adjustments on both sides of the ball this year. Keeping in mind the growing emphasis on passing play.

From 1925 to 1963, only one squad from a platoon was named – ends, tackles, guards, crosses, quarterbacks, full backs, full backs.

The AP began naming two-platoon teams in 1964. Each team consisted of three running backs until 1979, a time when heavy fouling was the norm. Two running backs and two receivers were the norm from 1980.

Until 2006, guards and tackles on the offensive line and ends and tackles on the defensive line were referred to as “linesmen”, and cornerbacks and safety were referred to as “defensive backs”. Since then, voters have been required to make their choice based on a specific position.

In the new structure, there will still be two cornerbacks and two safeties in each AP team. The fifth player selected for the secondary will be called a “defensive back,” giving voters the option of choosing a third cornerback or a safety or all-rounder whose role is a combination of the two positions.