Courtesy AFCA/Williams Sports Information

WACO, Texas - Williams senior offensive tackle John Szawlowski (Hatfield, Mass.) had earned All-America honors by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), it was announced on Wednesday. Szawlowski is the only NESCAC player to receive All-America recognition this season. He is the first Eph since LB Graham Goldwasser in 2003 to garner All-America.

Szawlowski was a three-year starter and three-year All-NESCAC First Team selection for Williams. With Szawlowski at left tackle, the Ephs were 20-4 and over his 24 starts he allowed just three sacks while protecting the blind side for Williams' quarterbacks.

Szawlowski and the rest of the Ephs' offensive line helped their team rank first in the conference in rushing at 152.4 yards per contes and 370 yards overall. Williams went 6-2 in the conference this season, including a 24-23 win over rival Amherst on the final day of the season that secured the Ephs second place in the NESCAC.

"John really worked hard his whole career," said Eph head coach Mike Whalen. "Physically he was ready to play as a first year, but mentally with all the new schemes he saw coming into college it was an adjustment. He worked hard to understand the game with a lot of time spent watching film with older guys like Chris Kenney and Mike Brown so by the time he was a sophomore he was ready to play.

"John's work ethic was outstanding. Every single day he delivered the same consistent effort. He never had a bad practice in four years and he wouldn't let anyone else have one either," Whalen emphasized.

The AFCA selects a 25-player team in each of its four divisions. The team is made up of 11 offensive players, 11 defensive players, a punter, a placekicker and a return specialist. The offensive unit normally consists of two wide receivers, one tight end, four offensive linemen, one center, one quarterback and two running backs. On defense, four defensive linemen, three linebackers and four defensive backs are normally chosen. On special teams, a punter, placekicker and a return specialist are chosen.

Only one team is chosen in each division; there are no second or third teams.