Luke Fickell, head coach of the University of Cincinnati Bearcats, is the Walter Camp 2021 Football Bowl Subdivision Coach of Year, presented by KeyBank. 

The Walter Camp Coach of Year is selected by the nation’s 130 Football Bowl Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors.  Fickell is the first coach from UC and the American Athletic Conference to earn the award. 

This season, Cincinnati’s fifth-year head coach led the Bearcats to the only undefeated (13-0) record in college football and a second-consecutive American Athletic Conference Championship.

No. 4 Cincinnati will face top-ranked Alabama in the College Football Playoff Semifinals in Arlington, Texas, on Dec. 31.

This season, Cincinnati is one of only two teams in the nation that ranks in the Top 10 in scoring offense (8th – 39.2) and scoring defense (4th – 16.1) and features 12 All-AAC First Team selections, and Walter Camp All-America selections — defensive backs Coby Bryant (1^st team) and Ahmad Gardner (2^nd team).

Fickell led UC to back-to-back 11-win seasons in 2018 and 2019, and a 9-1 overall record in the condensed 2020 season.

He is a three-time AAC Coach of the Year, winning the conference honors in 2021, 2020 and 2018.  Fickell was also named The Home Depot National Coach of the Year and the Sporting News National Coach of the Year earlier this month.

The 23-year veteran of the FBS coaching ranks took the reins of the UC program after spending 16 years at his alma mater, The Ohio State University. His impressive resume includes being on the staff of two national-championship winning teams (2002 and 2014), seeing more than 40 players selected in the NFL Draft, including 14 first-rounders, and coordinating outstanding defenses over 12 seasons as a co-coordinator or defensive coordinator.

A native of Columbus, Ohio, Fickell is a graduate of DeSales High School, where he was a three-time, undefeated state wrestling champion.  Fickell played for Ohio State from 1992-96, redshirting the first year and then starting the next four seasons at nose guard.  He graduated in 1997 with a degree in exercise science.  

Fickell and his wife Amy have six children.

Walter Camp, “The Father of American football,” first selected an All-America team in 1889. Camp – a former Yale University athlete and football coach – is also credited with developing play from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and tries and the restriction of play to eleven men per side. The Walter Camp Football Foundation (www.waltercamp.org,@WalterCampFF) – a New Haven-based all-volunteer group – was founded in 1967 to perpetuate the ideals of Camp and to continue the tradition of selecting annually an All-America team.  The Foundation is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game’s predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information, visit the association’s website, www.ncfaa.org

Walter Camp Coaches of the Year

2021 – Luke Fickell, Cincinnati

2020 – Jamey Chadwell, Coastal Carolina

2019 – Ed Orgeron, LSU

2018 – Nick Saban, Alabama

2017 – Mark Richt, Miami

2016 – Mike MacIntyre, Colorado

2015 – Dabo Swinney, Clemson

2014 – Gary Patterson, TCU

2013 – David Cutcliffe, Duke

2012 – Brian Kelly, Notre Dame

2011 – Les Miles, LSU

2010 – Chip Kelly, Oregon

2009 – Gary Patterson, TCU

2008 – Nick Saban, Alabama

2007 – Mark Mangino, Kansas

2006 – Greg Schiano, Rutgers

2005 – Joe Paterno, Penn State

2004 – Tommy Tuberville, Auburn

2003 – Bob Stoops, Oklahoma

2002 – Kirk Ferentz, Iowa

2001 – Ralph Friedgen, Maryland

2000 – Bob Stoops, Oklahoma

1999 – Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech

1998 – Bill Synder, Kansas State

1997 – Lloyd Carr, Michigan

1996 – Bruce Snyder, Arizona State

1995 – Gary Barnett, Northwestern

1994 – Joe Paterno, Penn State

1993 – Terry Bowden, Auburn

1992 – Gene Stallings, Alabama

1991 – Bobby Bowden, Florida State

1990 – Bobby Ross, Georgia Tech

1989 – Bill McCartney, Colorado

1988 – Don Nehlen, West Virginia

1987 – Dick MacPherson, Syracuse

1986 – Jimmy Johnson, Miami

1985 – Fisher DeBerry, Air Force

1984 – Joe Morrison, South Carolina

1983 – Mike White, Illinois

1982 – Jerry Stovall, Louisiana State

1981 – Jackie Sherrill, Pittsburgh

1980 – Vince Dooley, Georgia

1979 – John Mackovic, Wake Forest

1978 – Warren Powers, Missouri

1977 – Lou Holtz, Arkansas

1976 – Frank R. Burns, Rutgers

1975 – Frank Kush, Arizona State

1974 – Barry Switzer, Oklahoma

1973 – Johnny Majors, Pittsburgh

1972 – Joe Paterno, Penn State

1971 – Bob Devaney, Nebraska

1970 – Bob Blackman, Dartmouth

1969 – Bo Schembechler, Michigan

1968 – Woody Hayes, Ohio State

1967 – John Pont, Indiana

A Little History

This is the 132nd edition of the Walter Camp All-America team, the nation’s oldest college football All-American team, and presented by 777 Partners. Twenty-six players were selected to the first team by the 130 Football Bowl Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors.  In addition, 26 players were selected to the Second Team.

• From 1889 to 1964, eleven players were selected.

• In 1965, both offensive and defensive teams were picked.

• In 1972, the first punter (Ray Guy, Southern Mississippi) was honored.

• In 1975, the first placekicker (Chris Bahr, Penn State) was selected.

• In 1998, the first-ever Second Team All-America team was recognized.

• In 2001, the first kick returner (Herb Haygood, Michigan State) was picked.

Conference Info

In all, 36 different schools from nine conferences (including independents) were represented on the All-America First and Second Teams (a total of 51 players selected).     Overall, the Southeastern Conference has the most honorees (14), followed by the Big Ten (12) and Atlantic Coast Conference (6).

Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Oregon and Pittsburgh each have two First Team selections.  Alabama has four players – two on the First Team and two on the Second Team – recognized.   Ohio State had three Second Team selections.

Good to See You Again

Four players on the 2021 Walter Camp All-America teams are repeat selections.  First Team selection Breece Hall (Iowa State) was a First Team honoree in 2020.  First Teamers Tyler Linderbaum (Iowa) and Kyle Hamilton (Notre Dame) were both Second Team honorees as year ago.  In addition, Kenyon Green (Texas A&M) is a repeat Second Team selection.

Player of the Year Kenneth Walker III

The 55th recipient of the Walter Camp Player of the Year award, junior running back Kenneth Walker III is the first Michigan State player to win the prestigious honor.  Walker III is the 25^th running back to earn the award, and the first since Derrick Henry (Alabama) in 2015.   Walker is also the 11^th player from a Big Ten school to win the award since it began in 1967.  Walker ranks second in the nation and first among Power Five players at 1,614 rushing yards and 134.5 yards per game, and his 18 rushing touchdowns are tied for fifth in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

Then and Now

Twenty different schools are represented on the 2021 Walter Camp All-America First Team.  Of the 20 schools, Michigan has the most storied tradition of placing members on the team. The Wolverines had their first selection in 1903, halfback William Heston.  

This year, Michigan has two First Team selections (placekicker Jake Moody and defensive end Aidan Hutchinson).   Since 1903, Michigan has had 80 Walter Camp All-Americans.

Class Distinction

Of the 25 First Team selections, eight are seniors and two have graduate status.  There are nine juniors, and six sophomores.  On the Second Team (26 total selections), there are 12 seniors, 10 juniors, two sophomores, one freshman and one graduate.

Walter Camp Weekend 2022

The Walter Camp All-Americans will be recognized at the Foundation’s annual awards weekend, which will be held Feb. 25-26 in New Haven, CT.  

2021 Walter Camp All-America Teams

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

Pos.     Name, School                                                 Hgt.     Wgt.    Year            Hometown

WR      David Bell, Purdue                                         6-2       205      Jr.            Indianapolis, IN

WR      Jordan Addison, Pittsburgh                            6-0       175      Soph.            Frederick, MD

TE       Trey McBride, Colorado State                       6-4       260      Sr.            Fort Morgan, CO

OL       Ikem Ekwonu, North Carolina State              6-4       320      Soph.            Charlotte, NC

OL       Evan Neal, Alabama                                       6-7       350      Jr.            Okeechobee, FL

OL       Darian Kinnard, Kentucky                             6-5       345      Sr.            Knoxville, TN

OL       Zion Johnson, Boston College                       6-3       316      Grad.             Bowie, MD

C         Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa #                              6-3       290      Jr.            Solon, IA

QB       Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh                               6-3       220      Sr.            Oakhurst, NJ

RB       Kenneth Walker III, Michigan State              5-10     210      Jr.            Arlington, TN

RB       Breece Hall, Iowa State #                               6-1       220      Jr.            Wichita, KS

PK       Jake Moody, Michigan                                   6-1       211      Sr.            Northville, MI

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

Pos.     Name, School                                                 Hgt.     Wgt.    Year            Hometown

DL       Jordan Davis, Georgia                                    6-6       340      Sr.            Charlotte, NC

DL       Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan                         6-6       265      Sr.            Plymouth, MI

DL       Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon                         6-5       258      Soph.            Los Angeles, CA

DL       Jermaine Johnson, Florida State                     6-5       262      Sr.            Eden Prairie, MN

LB       Will Anderson, Alabama                                6-4       243      Soph.            Hampton, GA

LB       Nakobe Dean, Georgia                                   6-0       225      Jr.            Horn Lake, MS

LB       Devin Lloyd, Utah                                          6-3       235      Jr.            Chula Vista, CA

DB       Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame #                       6-4       220      Jr.            Atlanta, GA

DB       Coby Bryant, Cincinnati                                 6-1       198      Grad.            Cleveland, OH

DB       Jalen Pitre, Baylor                                          6-0       197      Sr.            Stafford, TX

DB       Verone McKinley, Oregon                             5-11     194      Soph.            Carrollton, TX

P          Matt Araiza, San Diego State                         6-2       200      Jr.            San Diego, CA

KR       Brian Battie, South Florida                             5-8       170      Soph.            Sarasota, FL

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

Pos.     Name, School                                                 Hgt.     Wgt.    Year            Hometown

WR      Drake London, USC                                       6-5       210      Jr.            Moorepark, CA

WR      Chris Olave, Ohio State                                  6-1       188      Sr.            San Ysidro, CA

WR      Jameson Williams, Alabama                          6-2       189      Jr.            St. Louis, MO

TE       Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina                      6-4       240      Sr.            Cambridge, MA

OL       Nicholas Petit-Frere, Ohio State                     6-5       315      Jr.            Tampa, FL

OL       Kenyon Green, Texas A&M   *                      6-4       325      Jr.            Humble, TX

OL       Jamaree Salyer, Georgia                                 6-4       325      Sr.            Atlanta, GA

OL       Max Mitchell, Louisiana                                6-6       299      Jr.             Monroe, LA

C         Zach Frazier, West Virginia                           6-3       306      Soph.             Fairmont, WV

QB       Bryce Young, Alabama                                  6-0       194      Soph.            Pasadena, CA

RB       Sean Tucker, Syracuse                                   5-10     210      Fr.            Owings Mills, MD

RB       Tyler Badie, Missouri                                     5-8       194      Sr.            New Orleans, LA

PK       Noah Ruggles, Ohio State                              6-2       190      Grad.            Odesa, FL

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

Pos.     Name, School                                                 Hgt.     Wgt.    Year            Hometown

DL       Cameron Thomas, San Diego State                6-5       270      Jr.            Carlsbad, CA

DL       George Karlaftis, Purdue                                6-4       275      Jr.            West Lafayette, IN

DL       DeMarvin Leal, Texas A&M                         6-4       290      Jr.            San Antonio, TX

DL       Sam Williams, Ole Miss                                 6-4       265      Sr.            Montgomery, AL

LB       Leo Chenal, Wisconsin                                   6-2       260      Jr.            Grantsburg, WI

LB       Chad Muma, Wyoming                                  6-3       242      Sr.            Lone Tree, CO

LB       Damone Clark, LSU                                       6-3       240      Sr.            Baton Rouge, LA

DB       Ahmad Gardner, Cincinnati                           6-3       200      Jr.            Detroit, MI

DB       Matt Hankins, Iowa                                        6-0       185      Sr.            Lewisville, TX

DB       Jaylan Foster, South Carolina                        5-10     195      Sr.            Duncan, SC

DB       Steven Jones, Jr., Appalachian State              5-10     180      Sr.            Rockingham, NC

P          Adam Korsak, Rutgers                                   6-2       190      Sr.            Melbourne, Australia

KR       Marcus Jones, Houston                                   5-8       185      Sr.            Enterprise, AL

# – 2020 Walter Camp First Team All-America selection

* 2020 Walter Camp Second Team All-America selection        

www.waltercamp.org

The Walter Camp Foundation is pleased to announce that Miami-based 777 Partners will be the presenting sponsor of the organization’s All-America teams.  

The 132nd edition of the Walter Camp All-America team, the nation’s oldest college football All-America squad, will be announced Thursday, Dec. 9 during The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN.    

The Walter Camp All-America team, first selected by Mr. Camp in 1889, is now voted on by the 130 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) head coaches and sports information directors.   

The 2021 Walter Camp All-Americans will be recognized at the Foundation’s annual awards weekend, which will be held Feb. 25-26 in New Haven, CT.    

Foundation president Mario Coppola is pleased with the partnership. “We are delighted that 777 Partners, one of the nation’s fastest growing private investment firms, is partnering with the nation’s oldest and most prestigious All-America team in college sports. 777 Partners significant growth in sports and entertainment in recent years is impressive and provides endless opportunities for further collaboration and partnership with the Walter Camp Football Foundation.”

“We are so excited to partner with the Walter Camp foundation in presenting this year’s awards,” said Josh Wander, Founder of 777 Partners.  “Walter Camp’s innovation in college football has had an immeasurable impact on the sport and is representative of the excellence both 777 Partners and the athletes that receive these awards aspire to achieve at our respective crafts.”

 About Walter Camp Foundation 

Walter Camp, “The Father of American football,” first selected an All-America team in 1889. Camp – a former Yale University athlete and football coach – is also credited with developing play from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and tries and the restriction of play to eleven men per side. The Walter Camp Football Foundation – a New Haven-based all-volunteer group – was founded in 1967 to perpetuate the ideals of Camp and to continue the tradition of selecting annually an All-America team. 

About 777 Partners 

777 Partners is a Miami based private investment firm that invests across a number of high growth attractive verticals with a strong focus on financial services. 

Founded in 2015, 777 Partners initially applied its expertise in underwriting and financing esoteric assets to diversify across a broad spectrum of financial services businesses, asset originators, and financial technology/service providers. In recent years, the firm has broadened its mandate and now invests across six different industries: insurance, consumer and commercial finance, litigation finance, direct lending, sports, media and entertainment, and aviation.