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The Associated Press named its 2012 All-Americans today, and 3 Bruins were included. Senior RB Johnathan Franklin and Jr LB Anthony Barr were named to the second team, and Soph OG Xavier Su'a-Filo was named to the third team. These three were recently named to the CBSSports.com All-America team, as well.
Franklin led the Bruins offense this season with 233 carries for 1,700 yards and 13 touchdowns, all season bests for him. He had 9 games with greater than 100 yards rushing and 6 games with greater than 160. Franklin broke Gaston Green's career rushing record at U.C.L.A. several weeks ago against Arizona, and now sits at 4.369 yards, and his 1,700 yards this year was a single-season best for the Bruins as well. Franklin also caught 32 passes for 319 yards and another 2 touchdowns. He was named the team's Offensive MVP at the year end team banquet.
Anthony Barr initially came to Westwood with aspirations of matching Franklin's rushing numbers, but moved to the defensive side of the ball this season and became a national sensation in just one season. Using his quickness and athleticism at outside linebacker, Barr became a monster on the Bruins defense, leading the nation with 13.5 sacks and being one of the Bruins' leading tacklers with 75 tackles. Bruin fans remember one particular sack at the end of the *$c game forever. Barr was awarded the Bruins' Defensive MVP for the season at the team banquet.
Prior to this season, Xavier Su'a-Filo hadn't played a snap of football in two years after leaving U.C.L.A. at the end of his freshman year for a 2 year LDS mission. All he did on his return was become the Bruins' best offensive lineman and one of the best in the country. When you consider that the Bruins started three freshman on the offensive line, XSF's skill and experience was critical to anchoring an offensive line that went from the team's biggest question mark to a solid unit that paved the way for an outstanding rushing attack and allowed a freshman quarterback to become one of the stars of the team. Su'a-Filo received one of the Captains Awards at the team banquet.
Congrats to these three Bruins on a great season and a great honor. There is a wall in Acosta dedicated to Bruin All-Americans. It's time to make room for three more photos.
The entire AP All-American roster can be seen here.