2012 FWAA freshman all-america team features three Mountain West players

The Mountain West Conference had three players named to the 2012 Football Writers Association of America, plus a two future league members from Utah State and San Jose State. The no-brainer among the Mountain West players to be named to the prestigious list was Fresno State wide receiver Davante Adams.

Adams was not only one of the best freshman wide receivers, but he was one of the best period. This season he 102 catches, 1,312 yards and 14 touchdowns; nationally he was top-10 in all of those categories.

The other players from the Mountain West came on the defensive side of the ball in Boise State lineman Samuel Ukwuachu, Colorado State linebacker Cory James, Utah State linebacker Kyler Fackrell and San Jose State kicker Austin Lopez.

Ukwuachu made the cut by recording 35 tackles, seven for a loss and 4.5 sacks; then there is James who set a Colorado State freshman single-season record with 7.5, plus he had 54 tackles, 26 solo and 11 tackles for a loss.

Fackrell from Utah State had a very good year with three interceptions, 87 tackles, eight for a loss and three sacks. Lopez had a good year kicking the ball by making all 17 field goals, and also converted 54 of 57 extra points.

It should be expected that these players will make a bigger impact in their sophomore seasons.

Here is the full team:

OFFENSE

QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M
RB Kenneth Dixon, Louisiana Tech
RB Todd Gurley, Georgia
WR Davante Adams, Fresno State
WR Amari Cooper, Alabama
WR J.D. McKissic, Arkansas State
TE Devin Funchess, Michigan
OL Jack Allen, Michigan State
OL Austin Blythe, Iowa
OL Jake Brendel, UCLA
OL Le'Raven Clark, Texas Tech
OL Parker Ehinger, Cincinnati
OL Tyler Johnstone, Oregon

DEFENSE

DL Deion Barnes, Penn State
DL Devonte Fields, TCU
DL Samuel Ukwuachu, Boise State
DL Leonard Wllliams, USC
LB Kyler Fackrell, Utah State
LB Cory James, Colorado State
LB Tyler Matakevich, Temple
LB Denzel Nkemdiche, Ole Miss
DB Kevin Byard, Middle Tennessee
DB Ronald Darby, Florida State
DB KeiVarae Russell, Notre Dame
DB Trevon Stewart, Houston

SPECIALISTS

P Tyler Williams, Marshall
K Austin Lopez, San Jose State
PR Jaime Wilson, Western Michigan
KR Duke Johnson, Miami
AP Stefon Diggs, Maryland