Watkins Named Rivals Freshman of Year

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins has been named National Freshman of the Year by Rivals.com. Additionally, Watkins was named a first-team All-American on the site‘s overall team, and a first-team freshman All-American. Watkins was the only freshman nationally to be named first-team All-American by Rivals. Watkins, who was named the ACC Freshman of the Year by the Atlantic Coast Conference Sports Media, has 77 receptions for 1153 yards and 11 touchdowns this year. He ranks fourth in the nation in all-purpose yardage with 173 yards per game, and his 2077 total all-purpose yards rank second best in Clemson history behind C.J. Spiller‘s 2680 in 2009. Also making the first team is Gamecock senior defensive end Melvin Ingram. He lead Carolina with 8.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss. In addition he scored off a fake punt against Georgia and scored two other times during the season on fumble returns. Second team honors were given to Ingram’s teammate, strong safety Antonio Allen and Tiger defensive end Andre Branch. Clemson’s Chad Morris, who became the highest paid coordinator in the country this past week, was named offensive coordinator of the year.