T.J. CONLEY NAMED ALL-AMERICAN

This week University of Idaho senior punter T.J. CONLEY was named to the prestigious Walter Camp All-American Team as a First Team selection. In addition to leading the NCAA in punting this season, Conley was a first-team all-Western Athletic Conference choice as well as a member of Phil Steele’s all-WAC first team. This season he had five games with averages of more than 50 yards.

OFFICIAL UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO PRESS RELEASE


University of Idaho senior punter T.J. Conley was voted to the 2008 Walter Camp All-American Football Team –the nation’s oldest elite team.

Conley wraps up the 2008 season with the nation’s best punting average at 47.43 yards per kick.

“T.J. is a first-class kid who’s done a tremendous job for us this season on the field, in the classroom and in the community,” coach Robb Akey said. “He had a tremendous senior year. He paid attention to the things he needed to do to improve and he did them.

“We’re very proud of him. This is a tremendous honor.”

In addition to leading the NCAA in punting this season, Conley (Walla Walla, Wash.) was a first-team all-Western Athletic Conference choice as well as a member of Phil Steele’s all-WAC first team. This season he had five games with averages of more than 50 yards.

Conley, Idaho’s first all-American since the Vandals became a member of the FBS (Division I-A), broke the single-game punting average against Western Michigan then broke it again with a 52.8 average at Louisiana Tech. he set single-season records for punting average (47.43) and punting yards (2,751). He also is Idaho’s career punting yardage leader with 9,242.

His performance in the classroom also earned him recognition as a second team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American.

This is the 119th edition of the Walter Camp All-America team – the nation’s oldest All-America team. Twenty-five players are selected to the first team by the 119 Football Bowl Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors.

The Walter Camp All-American Awards Weekend is Jan. 15-17 at New Haven, Conn.