UAlbany Offensive Tackle Raphael Nguti Named to AFCA FCS Coaches' All-America Football Team

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – University at Albany’s Raphael Nguti has been chosen to the American Football Coaches Association 2008 Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Coaches’ All-America Football Team as announced on Thursday, Dec. 18 by the AFCA. Nguti is the fourth UAlbany player to be named to the AFCA FCS All-America squad.

Nguti, a 6-foot-7, 330-pound offensive tackle from Rochester, N.Y., was selected to the All-Northeast Conference first team for the second consecutive year. He moved from right tackle to left tackle this season and led an offense that ranked 16th nationally in rushing (200.6 ypg) and first in the conference in total offense (363.2 ypg). The Great Danes ran for 250 or more yards against five opponents this season. Nguti, who blocked for the nation’s second-leading rusher this year, has made 24 consecutive starts over the last two seasons. He played in 45 games as a collegian and earned four varsity letters.

“It’s a great tribute to him as an offensive lineman,” said UAlbany’s Bob Ford, who leads all active FCS head coaches with 234 career victories. “He came here close to 400 pounds and transformed himself into a dominating run-down blocker with great physical presence at the point of attack. Every professional team has been through here to look at him so we will see what happens in the future.”

Nguti led UAlbany (9-3) to its second consecutive NEC championship and a 28-0 victory over Pioneer Football League champion Jacksonville in the Gridiron Classic on Dec. 6. The Great Danes became the second team in conference history to go undefeated against league opponents in back-to-back years.

UAlbany’s previous AFCA All-Americans were inside linebacker Colin Disch (2006), offensive tackle Geir Gudmundsen (2004) and offensive tackle J.T. Herfurth (2000).