BYU has produced its first consensus All-America football player since 2009.
Left tackle Brady Christensen, a Bountiful High product who declared last week for April’s NFL draft, was named a 2020 consensus All-American on Friday, becoming the first Cougar to attain that honor since tight end Dennis Pitta in 2009.
Christensen becomes BYU’s 14th consensus All-American in football. Quarterback Ty Detmer and tight end Gordon Hudson did it twice.
To reach consensus status, a player must be named first team on at least two of the five selected All-America teams — American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Sporting News and Walter Camp Foundation.
Christensen earned first-team honors from Walter Camp and AP and second-team honors from the three others.
“Do y’all understand the meaning of ‘consensus?’” BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe said on Twitter Friday morning. “This is quite an accomplishment. Kudos, Brady!”
A 6-foot-6, 300-pound junior who went on a two-year mission to New Zealand for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before redshirting in 2017 and becoming a three-year starter in 2018, Christensen is one of 29 players selected to the consensus All-America team for 2020.
“This doesn’t happen without an amazing team, the best coaching, and great support staff,” Christensen said on Twitter.
Christensen joins former Cougars Marc Wilson (1979), Nick Eyre (1980), Jim McMahon (1981), Hudson (1982 and 1983), Steve Young (1983), Jason Buck (1986), Mo Elewonibi (1989), Chris Smith (1990), Detmer (1990 and 1991), Luke Staley (2001) and Pitta (2009).
Twenty-nine players were selected to the consensus All-America team for 2020.
Christensen was also named first-team All-American by USA TODAY Sports, ESPN, CBS Sports, Pro Football Focus and Bleacher Report. He also received additional second-team honors from Phil Steele and The Athletic.
He has been named to more All-America teams in a single season than any player in BYU history.
Christensen was All-America quarterback Zach Wilson’s blindside protector for three seasons. The Cougars’ offense in 2020 currently ranked No. 4 in scoring (43.5 points per game), No. 7 in total offense (522.2 yards per game).
Christensen started in all 38 games of his career at BYU and is looking to become the first BYU offensive lineman drafted since Scott Young in 2005. Young was picked 172nd overall by the Philadelphia Eagles.
All-America honors for Utah college players
| All-America Teams | Brady Christensen, BYU OT | Jake Oldroyd, BYU K | Devin Lloyd, Utah LB | Zach Wilson, BYU QB | Dax Milne, BYU WR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFCA | Second team | — | — | — | — |
| Associated Press | First team | Third team | — | — | — |
| FWAA | Second team | — | — | — | — |
| Sporting News | Second team | — | Second team | — | — |
| Walter Camp | First team | Second team | — | — | — |
| USA Today | First team | — | — | — | — |
| ESPN | First team | — | — | — | — |
| CBS Sports | First team | — | — | — | — |
| Pro Football Focus | First team | — | — | Second team | Second team |
| Bleacher Report | First team | — | — | — | — |
| Phil Steele | Second team | Third team | — | — | Third team |
| The Athletic | Second team | Second team | — | — | — |