University of Arkansas senior center Travis Swanson has been named a first-team All-American by USA Today, it was announced Wednesday.
Swanson is the third first-team All-America center in program history, joining Jonathan Luigs in 2007 and Rodney Brand in 1969. Swanson’s recognition is his fourth in three days this week.
On Monday, Swanson was named one of six finalists for the Rimington Trophy, and also named a first-team All-SEC player by the Associated Press. He was named a second-team conference pick by the coaches on Tuesday.
This season, Swanson led an offensive line that blocked as Alex Collins became the 10th true freshman in SEC history to rush for 1,000 yards. Collins and Jonathan Williams became the second Razorback duo to each reach at least 900 rushing yards in one season.
The offensive line, which featured two true freshmen starting the final eight games, also broke the single-season school record by only allowing 8.0 sacks. Arkansas leads the SEC and is tied for second in the NCAA with an average of 0.67 sacks allowed per game. The Razorbacks’ average of one sack allowed for every 37.63 pass attempts is the best in the conference and seventh in the nation.
Swanson started all 50 games of his career, becoming the first Razorback with 50 straight starts and just the second to start 50 total games, and became the 11th two-time team captain in program history.
The Rimington Trophy is awarded to the most outstanding center in FBS by determining the consensus All-American from the Walter Camp Foundation, The Sporting News and Football Writers Association of America All-American teams.
Freshman tight end Hunter Henry and senior kicker Zach Hocker were named second-team All-SEC. Henry caught 28 balls for 409 yards and four touchdowns. Hocker was 13-15 on field goals and led the team with 67 points. He is the school’s all-time leader for points by a kicker with 354.
