Pair of former Florida stars named to PFWA 2021 All-Rookie team

As the NFL Playoffs move forward, the Pro Football Writers Association begins announcing its regular season honors for 2021. The first list included the best of this year’s rookie class, which saw two former Florida stars headline the prestigious PFWA All-Rookie team.

Alabama led all schools with five former players on the PFWA All-Rookie team. Florida, Northwestern, Oregon and Penn State followed behind with two selections each. Other schools represented include North Carolina, LSU, Tennessee, USC, Oklahoma on offense. Michigan, Miami, Missouri, Notre Dame, and TCU are represented on defense and Georgia Tech, Iowa State, UCLA and Iowa joined on special teams.

Broken down by conference, the SEC led with 10 PFWA All-Rookie selections, followed by the Big Ten with six. The ACC and Pac-12 tied with four each and the Big 12 had the remaining three. No players from outside the Power Five were selected to the 2021 honors. Alabama’s five representatives would tie for second among conferences if separated from the SEC.

The Florida Gators are represented on both offense and special teams, putting tight end Kyle Pitts and kicker Evan McPherson on the 2021 PFWA All-Rookie team for their regular season contributions. While Pitts came in as the first round pick and nearly set multiple rookie records, McPherson’s postseason heroics have turned him into one of the NFL’s most popular players over the past week.

2021 Rookie of the Year awards

Rookie of the Year – Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys

Offensive Rookie of the Year – Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals

Defensive Rookie of the Year – Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys

2021 PFWA All-Rookie Team

Offense

QB – Mac Jones, New England Patriots (Alabama)

RB – Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers (Alabama)

RB – Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos (North Carolina)

WR – Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals (LSU)

WR – Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins (Alabama)

TE – Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons (Florida)

T – Rashawn Slater, Los Angeles Chargers (Northwestern)

T – Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions (Oregon)

G – Trey Smith, Kansas City Chiefs (Tennessee)

G – Alijah Vera-Tucker, New York Jets (USC)

C – Creed Humphrey, Kansas City Chiefs (Oklahoma)

Defense

DL – Christian Barmore, New England Patriots (Alabama)

DL – Odafe Oweh, Baltimore Ravens (Penn State)

DL – Kwity Paye, Indianapolis Colts (Michigan)

DL – Jaelan Phillips, Miami Dolphins (Miami)

LB – Nick Bolton, Kansas City Chiefs (Missouri)

LB – Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Cleveland Browns (Notre Dame)

LB – Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys (Penn State)

CB – Greg Newsome II, Cleveland Browns (Northwestern)

CB – Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos (Alabama)

S – Jevon Holland, Miami Dolphins (Oregon)

S – Tre’Von Moehrig, Las Vegas Raiders (TCU)

Special Teams

K – Evan McPherson, Cincinnati Bengals (Florida)

P – Pressley Harvin III, Pittsburgh Steelers (Georgia Tech)

KR – Kene Nwangwu, Minnesota Vikings (Iowa State)

PR – Demetric Felton, Cleveland Browns (UCLA)

ST – Nick Niemann, Los Angeles Chargers (Iowa)