Haygood Named Walter Camp All-American
12/6/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 6, 2001
ORLANDO, Fla. - Michigan State senior kick returner Herb Haygood, who leads the Big Ten and ranks ninth in the NCAA in kickoff returns with his 27.6-yard average, has been named to the Walter Camp All-America Team, which was introduced live on ESPN's 2001 College Football Awards Show Thursday night from the Atlantic Dance Hall on Disney's Boardwalk. NCAA I-A head coaches and sports information directors select the Walter Camp All-America Team, the nation's oldest all-star lineup.
Haygood, the first kick returner ever to be selected for the Walter Camp All-America Team, led the NCAA in kickoff returns for three straight weeks, from Oct. 14-Nov. 3. The 6-foot, 190-pounder from Sarasota, Fla., is one of only three players in NCAA I-A football to return two kickoffs for touchdowns in 2001.
"Herb Haygood is most deserving of this national recognition," Michigan State head coach Bobby Williams said. "Herb is one of the hardest workers on our football team and he has certainly taken his play to another level this season."
Haygood scored on kickoff returns of 84 yards vs. Northwestern and 100 yards vs. Iowa. He became the first player in Michigan State's 105-year football history to return kickoffs for scores in back-to-back games and his 100-yard runback against Iowa tied the Spartan record for longest return.
"It's a great honor to be named to the Walter Camp All-America Team," Haygood said. "I came here to Orlando, Fla., to accept this award for the entire kickoff return team. I certainly wouldn't be here without the help of those 10 other guys because I depend on each one of them to do their job. As a return unit, we have developed the attitude that we can return every kickoff for a touchdown. That's how much confidence we've developed in each other.
"Before the season, Coach Sal (Sunseri) told me that I could lead the country in kickoff returns and become an All-American. As it turns out, Coach Sal was right on the mark with his predictions."
Haygood, who currently ranks second on MSU's all-time list with 1,662 career kickoff return yards, will play his final game in a Spartan uniform Dec. 31 vs. Fresno State in the Silicon Valley Football Classic.
