Ikem Ekwonu is a unanimous consensus first-team All-American
NC State football sophomore left tackle Ikem Ekwonu continues to make history.
In order to be a unanimous consensus first-team All-American, one must be selected so by each of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), the Associated Press, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), The Sporting News and The Walter Camp Foundation.
In the midst of signing day Wednesday, the AFCA announced its first-team All-American list, joining all the others in including Ekwonu on it.
Thus, Ekwonu becomes just the third unanimous consensus first-team All-American at NC State, joining former center Jim Ritcher in 1979 and defensive end Bradley Chubb in 2017. Ritcher’s No. 51 is retired from NC State football, and he was an inaugural member of the school’s Hall of Fame.
Chubb’s No. 9 is also permanently honored, and he is currently a star in the NFL with the Denver Broncos.
Ekwonu was one of three finalists for the honor given to the nation’s top lineman. He was also the recipient of the ACC’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy, the first winner from NC State football since Ritcher in 1979.
Ekwonu finished the regular season with 67 pancake blocks and 18 knockdowns, and was a two-time ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week. The 6-foot-4, 320-pounder allowed just two sacks in 829 snaps. Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranks Ekwonu as the top run blocker in college football.
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Ekwonu has not publicly declared his entry into the NFL Draft yet, but he is widely expected to be a top-half of the first-round selection if he does. Some early mock projections have Ekwonu going top five.
Head coach Dave Doeren said Wednesday during his signing day press conference that he anticipated Ekwonu turning pro.
NC State football went 9-3 during the regular season, and it has been selected to play in the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl Dec. 28 against UCLA in San Diego in Petco Park.
The game will be an 8 p.m. kickoff and televised nationally by FOX.
Ekwonu, who walked on Senior Day, has not declared if he will play in the game or not. Doeren said that Ekwonu has been practicing with the team and will make the trip to San Diego.
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