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Washington State’s Hercules Mata’afa secures second team All-American honors from AFCA

Washington State linebacker Mason Vinyard (43) and defensive lineman Hercules Mata’afa (50) run toward Boise State quarterback Montell Cozart (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Pullman, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. (Young Kwak / Associated Press)
By Theo Lawson theol@spokesman.com(509) 459-5584

PULLMAN – Already a Consensus All-American, Washington State defensive lineman Hercules Mata’afa added one final All-American award to his stash on Thursday, being named a second teamer by the American Football Coaches Association.

The Associated Press, Sporting News and Walter Camp Foundation all previously recognized Mata’afa as a first team All-America, which makes him the first WSU defensive lineman to become a Consensus All-American in 2002.

The junior fell two awards short of being an unanimous All-American, which would’ve happened had the AFCA and Football Writers Association of America named Mata’afa to their respective first teams. Both had Mat’afa on the second team.

The defensive tackle from Lahaina, Hawaii, has received a bundle of awards since the Cougars finished up the regular season – one that saw Mata’afa lead the Pac-12 in both tackles-for-loss (21.5) and sacks (9.5).

Earlier this week, Mata’afa was named the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year. He’s also been recognized as the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press, which included Mata’afa on its first team at two positions: defensive tackle and defensive end.