Brothers becomes Mizzou's first-ever first-team All-America linebacker
Mizzou linebackers haven't gotten much national love over the years, making the honors that came Kentrell Brothers' way this week are the more remarkable.
Brothers earned a trio of All-America honors over the course of Wednesday and Thursday. The senior was named a first-team All-American by both Sports Illustrated and CBSSports.com and landed second-team honors from the Walter Camp Foundation.
Brothers is the first Mizzou linebacker ever to be honored as a first-team All-American by any publication. In fact, only one previous linebacker earned any All-America distinction -- Sean Weatherspoon, who was a third-team honoree by the Associated Press in 2008.
Walter Camp is the first of the five major organizations recognized by the NCAA for consensus All-American distinction to announce their All-America honorees. The other four (Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, the American Football Coaches Association and Sporting News) will be announced in the coming days.
Brothers, who earned first-team All-SEC distinction this year, put together one of the most prolific seasons in Mizzou history. He led the nation with 152 total tackles (fourth most in Mizzou season history) and tackles per game (12.7). He was second in the nation with three blocked kicks. With 358 career tackles, Brothers ranks eighth all-time at Mizzou. He added 12.0 tackles for loss and two interceptions.
Also announced today:
• Former Tigers coach will be enshrined in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame on Jan. 31, 2016, in Springfield.
• Three players -- defensive tackle Terry Beckner Jr., defensive end Walter Brady and punter Corey Fatony -- were named All-SEC freshman team selections.
