Freshman Braden Hansen One of Eight Cougars Receiving All-America Honors in 2009

PROVO -- BYU freshman offensive lineman Braden Hansen was named a Freshman All-America Thursday by the Football Writers Association of America.

A Sandy, Utah, native, Hansen started every game at left guard as one of four new starters on BYU’s offensive line in 2009. The 6-foot-6, 300-pound redshirt freshman was a key contributor in helping BYU achieve an 11-2 record, including a 3-1 mark against nationally ranked opponents.

Hansen and Wyoming safety Shamiel Gary represent the Mountain West Conference on the 28-man team. The FWAA and Aon Insurance announced their ninth annual Freshman All-America Team Thursday during the association's annual awards breakfast. CLICK to view the entire 2009 FWAA Freshman All-America Team.

BYU has had a newcomer earn Freshman All-America accolades each of the past seven seasons. Hansen joins a list of consecutive honorees that include offensive lineman Matt Reynolds (2008), running back Harvey Unga (2007), defensive end Jan Jorgensen (2006), offensive lineman Dallas Reynolds (2005), wide receiver Austin Collie (2004) and tight end Daniel Coats (2003).

Eight different Cougars earned various All-America recognition in 2009, including two receiving Academic All-America honors and Pitta becoming BYU’s 11th consensus All-American.

Pitta is the first Cougar to receive consensus All-America status since running back Luke Staley in 2001. He joined a select list of former Cougars to be recognized as the consensus top player at his position. BYU’s consensus All-Americans include Pitta (2009), Staley (2001), quarterback Ty Detmer (1990, 1991), tight end Chris Smith (1990), offensive lineman Mo Elewonibi (1989), defensive lineman Jason Buck (1986), quarterback Steve Young (1983), tight end Gordon Hudson (1982, 1983), quarterback Jim McMahon (1981), offensive lineman Nick Eyre (1980) and quarterback Marc Wilson (1979).

In 2009, senior quarterback Max Hall, junior defensive back Brian Logan, and sophomore offensive linemen Matt Reynolds and Terence Brown were also recognized for their outstanding play. Hall and Logan received All-America honorable mention from Sports Illustrated while Reynolds was a College Football News All-Sophomore Team selection and Brown a CFN All-Sophomore Team honorable mention.

Two Cougars earned ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America honors in 2009. Senior safety Scott Johnson was named to the first team and senior linebacker Matt Bauman earned second-team honors. Bauman is a two-time Academic All-American, having received first-team honors in 2008 along with teammates David Oswald and Kellen Fowler.

BYU’s All-America accolades in 2009 are included below.

Dennis Pitta, senior tight end
NCAA Consensus All-America Tight End
Walter Camp Foundation First Team
American Football Coaches Association First Team
Pro Football Weekly First Team
Associated Press Second Team
Sports Illustrated Second Team
CBSSports.com Second Team
Rivals.com Second Team
Sporting News Third Team
Phil Steele Third Team
College Football News honorable mention
Max Hall, senior quarterback
Sports Illustrated honorable mention
Brian Logan, junior defensive back
Sports Illustrated honorable mention
Matt Reynolds, sophomore offensive tackle
College Football News All-Sophomore Team First Team
Terence Brown, sophomore offensive guard
College Football News All-Sophomore Team honorable mention
Braden Hansen, freshman offensive guard
Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America First Team
Phil Steele All-Freshman First Team
College Football News Freshman Team honorable mention
Scott Johnson, senior defensive back
ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America First Team
Matt Bauman, senior linebacker
ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America Second Team