HOUSTON – Four days after claiming the Outland Trophy as the nation’s top interior lineman, Houston sophomore defensive tackle claimed another top honor Monday as he was named a FWAA First Team All-American.
Also a finalist for the Nagurski Trophy and The American Athletic Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year, Oliver earned Houston’s first FWAA All-America honor since Ben Fricke accomplished the feat in 1997.
It is the second All-America Team of the five teams that determine NCAA consensus All-Americans for Oliver, as he was named a Walter Camp All-American on Thursday.
- The Outland Trophy winner and The American’s Defensive Player of the Year, Oliver leads the nation with a career average of 1.54 tackles for loss per game, totaling 37.5 tackles for loss in only 24 games played.
- Playing the nose spot in a three-man front, Oliver has totaled 69 tackles in 11 games this season, despite missing three quarters of one game and being limited in the next four with a knee injury.
- His average of 6.3 tackles per game this season ranks fourth nationally among all defensive linemen. Oliver’s 69 total tackles rank second nationally among defensive tackles.
- Oliver’s 14.5 tackles are fourth among defensive tackles while his average of 1.32 tackles for loss per game this season leads all defensive linemen in The American.
- The Houston native led UH in tackles for loss (14.5), sacks (5.5), quarterback hurries (7), forced fumbles (2) and blocked kicks (1). He also had three pass breakups and one fumble recovery on the year.
- He recorded two double-digit tackle games this year, part of seven games with at least five tackles. He had four games this season with multiple tackles for loss and now has 12 career games with the distinction.
- Oliver closed out the regular season in style with a career-high 14 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks as he led a Houston defense that held Navy to its lowest point total (14), total yards (291) and rushing output (217) of the season in the 24-14 win.