Texas Tech University Athletics
McPhearson Tabbed Third Team All-American by PFF
December 21, 2020 | Football
Senior is one of three players in the FBS with four interceptions and two fumble recoveries this season
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech senior defensive back Zech McPhearson was named a third team All-American on Monday by the website Pro Football Focus. He is the first Red Raider to garner All-America accolades by any publication this season.
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McPhearson, a first team All-Big 12 selection just a week ago, becomes the second Red Raider to be recognized by Pro Football Focus in as many years as current Seattle Seahawks linebacker Jordyn Brooks was tabbed a second team All-American by the publication in 2019. Pro Football Focus' awards are based on its grades and advanced statistics for the 2020 season.
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McPhearson developed into one of the country's top ball-hawks in his second season as a Red Raider this fall as he picked off four passes while also recovering two fumbles. Entering bowl season, McPhearson currently ranks tied for fifth in the FBS for total interceptions and tied for 11th in fumble recoveries.
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McPhearson was part of six of Texas Tech's 10 total takeaways this season as he is one of three players in the country to account for six turnovers, joining Rutgers' Christian Izien (7) and Syracuse's Mikel Jones (6). J.J. Gaines is the only other Red Raider since 2000 to record four interceptions and two fumble recoveries in a season as he picked off four passes and fell on three fumbles in 2015.
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McPhearson, who added 53 tackles from his spot either at cornerback or at the Spur position, is the only Big 12 player that currently sits atop the league leaderboard for both interceptions and fumble recoveries entering bowl season. He found the end zone twice on the year, scoring first on a recovered blocked field goal at Iowa State before providing the game-winning touchdown via a fumble recovery versus West Virginia.
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McPhearson, a native of Columbia, Maryland, could potentially add additional honors in the coming days and weeks when the five All-America teams recognized by the NCAA – the Associated Press, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), The Sporting News and the Walter Camp Foundation – are unveiled.
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McPhearson, a first team All-Big 12 selection just a week ago, becomes the second Red Raider to be recognized by Pro Football Focus in as many years as current Seattle Seahawks linebacker Jordyn Brooks was tabbed a second team All-American by the publication in 2019. Pro Football Focus' awards are based on its grades and advanced statistics for the 2020 season.
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McPhearson developed into one of the country's top ball-hawks in his second season as a Red Raider this fall as he picked off four passes while also recovering two fumbles. Entering bowl season, McPhearson currently ranks tied for fifth in the FBS for total interceptions and tied for 11th in fumble recoveries.
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McPhearson was part of six of Texas Tech's 10 total takeaways this season as he is one of three players in the country to account for six turnovers, joining Rutgers' Christian Izien (7) and Syracuse's Mikel Jones (6). J.J. Gaines is the only other Red Raider since 2000 to record four interceptions and two fumble recoveries in a season as he picked off four passes and fell on three fumbles in 2015.
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McPhearson, who added 53 tackles from his spot either at cornerback or at the Spur position, is the only Big 12 player that currently sits atop the league leaderboard for both interceptions and fumble recoveries entering bowl season. He found the end zone twice on the year, scoring first on a recovered blocked field goal at Iowa State before providing the game-winning touchdown via a fumble recovery versus West Virginia.
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McPhearson, a native of Columbia, Maryland, could potentially add additional honors in the coming days and weeks when the five All-America teams recognized by the NCAA – the Associated Press, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), The Sporting News and the Walter Camp Foundation – are unveiled.
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