He certainly deserves it. He’s had a tremendous season and he’s a real weapon for us. – Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham
SALT LAKE CITY — Ray Guy Award winner Mitch Wishnowsky has become the sixth player in University of Utah history to become a consensus All-American — joining defensive lineman Luther Elliss (1994), offensive lineman Jordan Gross (2002), defensive back Eric Weddle (2006), kicker Louie Sakoda (2008) and punter Tom Hackett (2014, 2015).
“That’s great. He certainly deserves it,” said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. “He’s had a tremendous season and he’s a real weapon for us.”
Whittingham noted that Wishnwosky had really big shoes to fill with Hackett’s graduation.
“He more than lived up to those expectations,” Whittingham said.
The sophomore from Australia met the consensus All-America criteria by earning first-team by earning first-team honors from the Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), The Sporting News and Walter Camp. He can make it unanimous — joining Sakoda and Hackett as the only Utes ever to do so — Wednesday when the American Football Coaches Association announces its team.
Wishnowsky was named the nation’s top punter last week by collecting the program’s third consecutive Ray Guy Award. Utah leads the nation in net punting. Wishnowsky is second with an average of 48 yards per punt. He’s first or tied for first in the country with 34 punts inside the 20-yard line, 28 punts of 50 yards and greater, and 17 punts inside the 10-yard line.
DIMICK HONORED: Utah senior Hunter Dimick was named an All-American by the FWAA (second team) and AP (third team). Last week, the defensive end made the Walter Camp second team.
Dimick leads the Pac-12 with 20 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks.
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