Nov. 28, 2001

Chapel Hill, N.C. ----- University of North Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers has been named a first-team All-America by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA). Peppers is the first Tar Heel to be named an All-America by the FWAA since Dre' Bly in 1997.

Peppers, who is a finalist for the Lombardi Award (top interior lineman), Nagurski Trophy (top defensive player) and Bednarick Award (top defensive player), has already been named a first-team All-America by Football News. On Tuesday, he was a unanimous first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection.

Peppers has 58 tackles this season, including 18 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks. He leads all defensive linemen in the country with three interceptions and ranks first on the team and 95th nationally. He has 29.5 career sacks and has posted more sacks in a two-year period (23.5) than any other player in UNC history.

FWAA All-America Team
OFFENSE
QB, Antwaan Randle El, Indiana
RB, Travis Stephens, Tennessee
RB, Luke Staley, BYU
WR, Josh Reed, LSU
WR, Jabar Gaffney, Florida
TE, Daniel Graham, Colorado
C, LeCharles Bentley, Ohio State
OL, Toniu Fonoti, Nebraska
OL, Joaquin Gonzalez, Miami
OL, Bryant McKinnie, Miami
OL, Mike Pearson, Florida

DEFENSE
DL, Alex Brown, Florida
DL, Dwight Freeney, Syracuse
DL, John Henderson, Tennessee
DL, Julius Peppers, North Carolina
LB, Rocky Calmus, Oklahoma
LB, E.J. Henderson, Maryland
LB, Robert Thomas, UCLA
DB, Quentin Jammer, Texas
DB, Troy Polamalu, USC
DB, Edward Reed, Miami
DB, Roy Williams, Oklahoma

SPECIALISTS
K, Seth Marler, Tulane
P, Dave Zastudil, Ohio
KR, Luke Powell, Stanford