June 1, 2004
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State senior linebacker Kirk Morrison (Oakland, Calif.) has been named a preseason first team All-American by Athlon Sports. Morrison, a second team pick a year ago, is one of just three players on the 2004 first team from a non-BCS school with the others being UNLV defensive back Jamaal Brimmer and Southern Miss linebacker Michael Boley.
Morrison has also been selected for the second straight year to the Rotary Lombardi Award preliminary watch list, given to the nation's top lineman/linebacker. ESPN.com lists Morrison as one of the top 75 players in the country, regardless of position, entering the 2004 campaign.
Morrison is likely to earn numerous honors in his final season as an Aztec. In 2003, he was named a first team All-American by College Football News and the defensive player of the year by the Mountain West Conference. He is a two-time first team all-MWC selection and can become the first Aztec to earn the honor three straight years since Kabeer Gbaja Biamila (1997-99).
A freshman All-American in 2001, Morrison has been the anchor of SDSU's defensive unit and is eighth all-time in school history with 281 career tackles. A year ago, the Aztec defense was ranked eighth nationally and tops in the Mountain West in total defense, allowing just 289 yards per game.
Athlon Sports Preseason All-America First Team
OFFENSE
QB - Jason White, Oklahoma
RB - Darren Sproles, Kansas State
RB - Justin Vincent, LSU
WR - Mark Clayton, Oklahoma
WR - Braylon Edwards, Michigan
TE - Heath Miller, Virginia
OL - David Baas, Michigan
OL - Alex Barron, Florida State
OL - Jammal Brown, Oklahoma
OL - Ben Wilkerson, LSU
OL - Eric Winston, Miami
DEFENSE
DL - Dan Cody, Oklahoma
DL - Shaun Cody, USC
DL - Mathias Kiwanuka, Boston College
DL - David Pollack, Georgia
LB - Michael Boley, Southern Miss
LB - Derrick Johnson, Texas
LB - Kirk Morrison, San Diego State
DB - Jamaal Brimmer, UNLV
DB - Josh Bullocks, Nebraska
DB - Antrel Rolle, Miami
DB - Corey Webster, LSU
SPECIALISTS
K - Jonathan Nichols, Ole Miss
KR - Reggie Bush, USC
P - Dustin Colquitt, Tennessee
PR - Skyler Green, LSU