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Gators Matt Elam named first-team All-American

Elam is one of four Gators named to the All-American teams.

By Michael Preston
Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

For the first time since 2010, the Florida Gators have a member of their team on the Associated Press All-American first team. Junior safety Matt Elam wrangled such an honor for an outstanding season for the Sugar Bowl bound Gators. Elam picked off four passes on the season, forced a fumble and recorded 65 tackles including 10 for a loss. He also recorded four pass break-ups and a sack. The last Gator to be named to the first team was punter Chas Henry. The Florida defensive backs were represented by Joe Haden in 2009.

Three other Gators were selected by the AP to one of the All-American teams. Defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd, kicker Caleb Sturgis and punter Kyle Christy were all named to the third team. Elam was one of nine players from the SEC to make an appearance on the first team. The safety is mulling an early departure for the NFL after his great season.

Photographs by cstreet.us, thelastminute, turtlemom nancy , fesek, kthypryn, justinwright, sue_elias, pointnshoot, and scrapstothefuture used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.