Dec. 14, 2010
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State football running back Ronnie Hillman and tight end Gavin Escobar have been named freshmen All-Americans by three different national publications for their performances over the 2010 regular season. They are just the fourth and fifth Aztecs to receive freshman All-America honors in program history, joining three current NFL players in linebacker Kirk Morrison (2001), running back Lynell Hamilton (2003) and linebacker Russell Allen (2005).
Hillman (La Habra, Calif.) becomes just the second Aztec freshman (Hamilton) to be named a first-team freshman All-American, receiving the honor from Phil Steele.com. Hillman also garnered second-team accolades from Rivals.com and CollegeFootballNews.com, while Escobar (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) was tabbed a second-team pick by all three publications.
Hillman, who was named MWC freshman of the year earlier this month, broke the conference record for rushing yards by a freshman with 1,304. He ranks first in the conference, 14th nationally and first among freshmen in the FBS in rushing yards per game (108.7) and is the only player in the league to average more than 100 yards on the ground.
Escobar has 26 catches for 299 yards and four scores, highlighted by a six-catch, 65-yard performance vs. Utah. The 6-6 tight end has started 11 of 12 outings and has 18 receptions for either first downs or touchdowns in 2010.
Senior wide receiver DeMarco Sampson (Chula Vista, Calif.) was also named an honorable mention All-American by SI.com. Sampson is currently No. 1 in the league in receptions per outing (5.4) and second behind teammate Vincent Brown in receiving yards (97.9 ypg.). He posted his sixth 100-yard receiving game in the team's regular-season finale with UNLV and has seven on his career to tie for 13th in the SDSU record book. Sampson has averaged 15.3 yards per catch during his collegiate career and has 144 receptions, 2,197 receiving yards and 18 scores to his credit.
SDSU still has one game remaining, the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl, on Thursday, Dec. 23, at 5 p.m. at Qualcomm Stadium.