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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah State linebacker Zach Vigil, Utah defensive end Nate Orchard and Utah punter Tom Hackett were named USA Today Sports second-team All-Americans, the publication announced Thursday.
The trio from the Beehive State headlined a class of 25 players on the second team (11 offense, 11 defense, three specialists). Heisman Trophy favorite Marcus Mariota of Oregon headlined the first team, which also featured Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon, Colorado State wide receiver Rashard Higgins and Arizona linebacker Scooby Wright.
Boise State running back Jay Ajayi also earned second-team honors.
Vigil, who was named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, ranked 12th in the nation with 19.5 tackles for loss, including nine sacks. The 6-foot-2, 240-pound senior from Clearfield compiled 145 tackles, five quarterback hurries, three pass breakups, one forced fumble and an interception return for a touchdown as a senior.
Orchard, the Ted Hendricks Award winner given to the nation's top defensive end, led the nation with 1.46 sacks per game and set a single-season program record with 17.5 sacks. The senior compiled 37.5 tackles for loss in his career, which includes 24 sacks for the Utes.
Hackett, a junior from Melbourne, Australia, is a finalist for the Ray Guy Award given annually to the nation's top punter. The 5-foot-11 Aussie averaged 47.0 yards per punt with 25 kicks of more than 50 yards and 35 punts down inside the 25-yard line and 10 touchbacks.
