Arizona State defensive tackle Will Sutton came close but just missed becoming the school's third ever unanimous All-American.
The Football Writers Association of America announced its All-America team Friday, and it did not include Sutton, already a consensus All-American with honors from the Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, Sporting News and Walter Camp Football Foundation (second team).
Two factors perhaps hurt Sutton's chances at making the FWAA team. First, the organization does not vote on a second team. Second, the defensive team includes four slots for "defensive linemen" rather than specific positions. Three of the four defensive linemen to make the team were defensive ends.
Sutton, ASU's leader in sacks and tackles for loss, became ASU 15th consensus All-American last week and has been honored by a total of nine outlets as an All-American, including Sports Illustrated on Thursday. Sutton also won the Pac-12's Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year award and made the All-Pac-12 first-team defense.
ANOTHER FOR HUBNER
After finally getting a postseason award nod as a Lindy's third-team All-American last week, ASU punter Josh Hubner received another Thursday, as the senior was named an honorable-mention All-American by Sports Illustrated.
Hubner was a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award, given annually to college football's best punter, but did not make the finalist group. Hubner has the third-highest average -- 47.13 yards per punt -- in the nation and 22 punts of more than 50 yards. His career 44.0-yards-per-punt average ranks second in ASU history.
ASU also announced Friday that Hubner has accepted an invitation to the 88th East-West Shrine Game, to be played Jan. 19 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., and televised on NFL Network. Hubner will also play in the Casino Del Sol College All-Star Game at Kino Stadium in Tucson on Jan. 11.
LOOSE ENDS
-- ASU determined this week that it will hold its Bay Area bowl practices at City College of San Francisco. The community college has produced countless Division I talents, including two at ASU since 1997, and won six California Community College Athletic Association championships since 1999.
-- According to multiple reports from recruiting services, former Hamilton High standout and Auburn offensive lineman Christian Westerman plans to transfer to ASU. Auburn must first release Westerman from his scholarship.
-- Friday marked the one-year anniversary of Todd Graham's arrival in Tempe.
