University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: George Kubas
Tony Pollard Named to USA Today Freshman All-America Team
Dec 11, 2016 | Football
Freshman grabs another post-season honor, Sunday.
MEMPHIS – Freshman running back Tony Pollard was been named to the USA Today Freshman All-America Team, Sunday. Pollard, the American Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Year and a first-team all-conference honoree, was named to the USA Today team at kick returner.
 
Pollard, a graduate of Melrose High School in Memphis, finished the regular season as the league's leader in kick return average with 28.4 yards per return, including a pair of kickoff return touchdowns and a blocked punt. Pollard, who redshirt last season, appeared in all 12 games for Memphis, with seven starts.
 
Pollard is the tenth freshman in school history to earn a freshman All-America nod from a publication. The complete list of honorees and outlets is below.
 
Memphis is prepping for a Boca Raton Bowl game against Western Kentucky. That game will be played on Tuesday, Dec. 20th at 7 p.m. (ET) and will air nationally on ESPN. Tickets in the Memphis section of the bowl are available for purchase at www.GoTigersGoTix.com for just $40. Fans who cannot make the trip to Florida can still help Memphis fill its sideline with youth from the Boca Raton area by purchasing a $20 ticket through the same GoTigersGoTix.com link.
 
Memphis' Freshman All-America Winners
O.C. Collins, DB
The Sporting News Freshman All-America (Fourth Team, 2002)
Rivals.com Freshman All-America (First Team, 2002)
James Gaither, P
The Sporting News Freshman All-America (Third Team, 2001)
The Football News Freshman All-America (Second Team, 2001)
Tom Hornsey, P
FWAA Freshman All-America (First Team, 2010)
Phil Steele Freshman All-America (Third Team, 2010)
Rodney Mason, DE
The Sporting News Freshman All-America (1991)
Matt Reagan, K/P
The Sporting News All-America (Second Team, 2006)
CollegeFootballNews.com Freshman All-America (Third Team, 2006)
Tony Pollard, RB/KR
USA Today Freshman All-America (First Team, 2016)
Taylor Reed, QB
CollegeFootballNews.com Freshman All-America (Honorable Mention, 2011)
Dominik Riley, OL
The Sporting News Freshman All-America (Honorable Mention, 2007)
Kamal Shakir, LB
The Sporting News (First Team, 1997)
Ryan White, K
Football News Freshman All-America (First Team, 1998)
The Sporting News Freshman All-America (First Team, 1998)
 
Pollard, a graduate of Melrose High School in Memphis, finished the regular season as the league's leader in kick return average with 28.4 yards per return, including a pair of kickoff return touchdowns and a blocked punt. Pollard, who redshirt last season, appeared in all 12 games for Memphis, with seven starts.
Pollard is the tenth freshman in school history to earn a freshman All-America nod from a publication. The complete list of honorees and outlets is below.
Memphis is prepping for a Boca Raton Bowl game against Western Kentucky. That game will be played on Tuesday, Dec. 20th at 7 p.m. (ET) and will air nationally on ESPN. Tickets in the Memphis section of the bowl are available for purchase at www.GoTigersGoTix.com for just $40. Fans who cannot make the trip to Florida can still help Memphis fill its sideline with youth from the Boca Raton area by purchasing a $20 ticket through the same GoTigersGoTix.com link.
Memphis' Freshman All-America Winners
O.C. Collins, DB
The Sporting News Freshman All-America (Fourth Team, 2002)
Rivals.com Freshman All-America (First Team, 2002)
James Gaither, P
The Sporting News Freshman All-America (Third Team, 2001)
The Football News Freshman All-America (Second Team, 2001)
Tom Hornsey, P
FWAA Freshman All-America (First Team, 2010)
Phil Steele Freshman All-America (Third Team, 2010)
Rodney Mason, DE
The Sporting News Freshman All-America (1991)
Matt Reagan, K/P
The Sporting News All-America (Second Team, 2006)
CollegeFootballNews.com Freshman All-America (Third Team, 2006)
Tony Pollard, RB/KR
USA Today Freshman All-America (First Team, 2016)
Taylor Reed, QB
CollegeFootballNews.com Freshman All-America (Honorable Mention, 2011)
Dominik Riley, OL
The Sporting News Freshman All-America (Honorable Mention, 2007)
Kamal Shakir, LB
The Sporting News (First Team, 1997)
Ryan White, K
Football News Freshman All-America (First Team, 1998)
The Sporting News Freshman All-America (First Team, 1998)
Players Mentioned
Football: Tim Cramsey Press Conference - November 3, 2025
Monday, November 03
Football: Ryan Silverfield Press Conference-November 2, 2025
Sunday, November 02
Football: Ryan Silverfield Press Conference - October 31, 2025
Saturday, November 01
Football: Kamari Wilson Press Conference - October 31, 2025
Saturday, November 01




