This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

The 2013 FBS All-Independent Football Team and individual Players of the Year were named by a nationwide media panel (of which I am a member) on Wednesday. The panel chose BYU linebacker Kyle Van Noy as its Offensive Player of the Year and Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds as its Offensive Player of the Year. Idaho kicker/punter Austin Rehkow, a freshman, is the Special Teams Player of the Year and Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith is the Freshman of the Year. Wednesday, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) released its 70th All-America team, which did not have any representation from BYU. The FWAA produces a first team and a second team, but no honorable mention. Washington RB Bishop Sankey, who the Cougars will see in the bowl game, made the FWAA Second Team. Wisconsin linebacker Chris Borland made the First Team. But back to the FBS All-Independent Team. The First Team includes seven players from BYU: running back Jamaal Williams, offensive lineman Michael Yeck, defensive lineman Eathyn Manumaleuna, linebackers Uani Unga and Kyle Van Noy, safety Daniel Sorensen and kick returner Adam Hine. Williams and Sorensen were unanimous selections to the team, along with Army RB Terry Baggett and Notre Dame cornerback Bennett Jackson. Notre Dame led the way with nine First-Team selections. There is no FBS All-Independent Second Team. However, five Cougars were afforded honorable mention: DB Craig Bills, QB Taysom Hill, WR Cody Hoffman, KR JD Falslev and kicker Justin Sorensen. Notre Dame also had five honorable mention picks.