Boston College sophomore linebacker Luke Keuchly has been named to the American Football Coaches Association's All-American team, the AFCA announced on Monday.
Kuechly has 171 tackles and averages 14.25 tackles per game, leading the nation in both categories. He also leads the country in solo tackles with 102 (8.50 per game).
Thanks in part to Kuechly, Boston College's defense is first in the nation in run defense, allowing opposing defenses an average of just 80 yards per game.
In addition, Kuechly has the nation's longest active streak of games with 10 or more tackles at 21. In Saturday's 16-7 win over Syracuse, Kuechly became Boston College's single-season tackles leader, passing Tom McManus' previous record of 165.
Kuechly made a tackle on the first play of the second half that ties McManus with 165 tackles and then stopped Syracuse running back Antwon Bailey after a 13-yard run two plays later to pass McManus. He finished the game with 10 tackles and 171 on the season.
The NCAA single-season record for tackles is currently held by Texas Tech linebacker Lawrence Flugence, who had 193 tackles in 2002. It's possible that Kuechly could catch Flugence, but he would need 22 tackles in the Eagles' upcoming bowl game, which has not yet been determined.
For his career, Kuechly has 313 tackles. He is the faster player in school history to reach the 200-tackle plateau, doing so in 17 games. Kuechly is also the only player to reach 300 career tackles in just three seasons, accomplishing the feat in 23 games.
This isn't the first honor Kuechly has received this season, as he was named a finalist for the 2010 Butkus Award last week, which honors the nation's top linebacker. Based on his outstanding performance this season, he should have plenty more accolades coming to him.
Other Atlantic Coast Conference players named to the All-American team were FSU's OL Rodney Hudson and Duke's kicker, Will Snyderwine.
To see the complete list of players named to the AFCA All-American team, visit their official website at AFCA.com.