Richardson, McDuffie Named All-Americans

Clemson senior offensive linemen Barry Richardson and Chris McDuffie have both been named to All-America teams for the 2007 season. Richardson, a tackle from Mount Pleasant, SC, was named a first-team All-American by College Football News.com and a second-team All-American by the Walter Camp Foundation.

McDuffie, a guard from Danville, VA, was named a second-team All-American by The Sporting News.

It marked the first time in Clemson history that two different offensive linemen made a first or second-team All-America team in the same season. It marked the second straight year that Clemson had an offensive guard named to an All-America team as Nathan Bennett was a third-team AP All-America selection last year. Richardson is the first Clemson offensive tackle to make an All-America team since Jim Bundren was a third-team AP All-American in 1997.

Both Richardson and McDuffie were named first-team All-ACC this year. It marked the second straight year that Richardson was selected first-team All-ACC.

Richardson has been a starter since his freshman year and has started 44 consecutive games. He was a two-time ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week this year and led Clemson in blocking grade in five of the last six games. He finished the regular season with 59 knockdown blocks and has an even 200 for his career. He has played 2706 plays in his career, seventh highest total in Clemson history.

McDuffie had 76.5 knockdown blocks this year and had an average grade of 86 percent. He started 10 of the 12 games this season, missing just one game due to an elbow injury. He played 558 snaps this season and 1118 for his career. He is in his first year as a full-time starter. He started the last five games of 2006 after Roman Fry suffered an injury.

Both players were big reasons Clemson led the ACC in scoring and ranked second in total offense, passing offense and rushing offense. The Tigers are 9-3 and ranked 15th in the final BCS poll, its highest BCS ranking since the 2000 season. Clemson is 15th in AP and 16th in the USA Today Coaches poll entering its Chick-fil-A Bowl game with Auburn.