Aggies LB Kyler Fackrell named a Freshman All American

Freshman Kyler Fackrell ended his first playing season at Utah State with a handful of honors.

Add a big one to the list: Freshman All American.

The Aggies linebacker was honored Monday as one of the Football Writers' Association of America's players on the best-of-the-best rookies list this year. It's piled on his other honors this year, including first team all-WAC and two WAC defensive player of the week awards this season.

Fackrell tackled his way to a spot, finishing fourth on the team with 87 tackles and adding three interceptions. He was named WAC player of the week after games against BYU and San Jose State.

The 6-foot-5 linebacker is expected to be a key returning piece of an Aggies defense that finished No. 7 in scoring and No. 14 in total yards nationally. Although coordinator Dave Aranda has moved on and the program graduates significant talent (Will Davis, Al Lapuaho), there is even more returning — including Fackrell.

The list is also dotted with two other WAC players: Louisiana Tech running back Kenneth Dixon and San Jose State kicker Austin Lopez. Johnny "Football" Manziel also makes an appearance, more of an afterthought for a Heisman winner.

— Kyle Goon

kgoon@sltrib.com

Twitter: @kylegoon