Dec. 13, 2011
SAN DIEGO - Three San Diego State football players have been named SI.com All-Americans, the website announced today. Tight end Gavin Escobar (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.), running back Ronnie Hillman (La Habra, Calif.) and cornerback Larry Parker (San Diego, Calif.) each were chosen as honorable mention picks.
Escobar has 47 catches for 710 yards this season with a team-high seven touchdown receptions. The sophomore's 47 catches and the 710 yards are the most by an Aztec tight end since Kerry Reed-Martin (49 receptions, 719 yards) in 1987. Escobar, who has two, 100-yard receiving games this year, is averaging 59.17 receiving yards per game, which ranks third in the country among tight ends.
Hillman, meanwhile, has set a conference record with 1,656 rushing yards on 287 carries to go along with 19 touchdowns. The sophomore ranks third nationally in rushing yards per game (138.0), 11th in all-purpose yards per game (156.4) and 12th in points per game (12.00). Hillman's 1,656 rushing yards are the second most in school history, eclipsing each of NFL and Aztec Hall-of-Fame member Marshall Faulk's three seasons, and trail only George Jones' 1,842 set during the 1995 campaign. He has nine, 100-yard rushing games and six, 150-yard contests, both which have tied a school record. Additionally, his 19 rushing touchdowns are the fourth-most in a season in school history.
Parker grabbed SDSU's final spot after setting career highs in every category, including tackles (56), tackles for loss (2.5), interceptions (7), pass breakups (7), forced fumbles (3) and fumble recoveries (1). The senior's seven interceptions are tied with two others for the second most in the nation, and are the most by a San Diego State player since 1969 and tied for the third most in a season in program history. Additionally, Parker's 14 overall pass deflections are tied for 24th (1.17 per game) in the country.
The entire list can be found here.
For the first time in their 43-year Division I history, the Aztecs are playing in a bowl game for the second consecutive season on Dec. 17 when they face Louisiana-Lafayette in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.