Three Aggies awarded 2018 First Team All-SEC Honors

Texas A&M’s running back Trayveon Williams, tight end Jace Sternberger and punter Braden Mann were named to the Associated Press’ All-Southeastern Conference football team on Monday. All three were first team selections. No Aggies were selected for the second team.

The AP team is voted upon by some media members who cover the SEC. The coaches team is expected to be released later this week.

Williams, a Junior, has rushed for 1,524 and 15 touchdowns to lead the SEC. His rushing total is more than 200 yards better than Kentucky’s Benny Snell, who was the second-leading rusher in the conference. Snell has rushed for 1,305 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Sternberger, a Junior, led all SEC tight ends with 47 receptions for 804 yards and 10 touchdowns. His catches and yardage are the second-higher totals in the nation among tight ends. His 10 touchdown catches lead the nation for tight ends.

Mann, a Junior, averaged 51.15 yards on 47 punts to lead the nation. He also set an NCAA record with 14 punts of 60 yards or more.

Surprisingly, no Aggies defensive players were named to the first or second team even though Texas A&M led the SEC and ranked second in the nation in rushing defense. SEC champion Alabama led the way with five players selected to the first team.

Texas A&M ended the regular season 8-4 and 5-3 in SEC play to finish second to Alabama in the West Division race. The Aggies will face North Carolina State in the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida on New Year’s Eve.