SOUTH BEND -- Aaron Lynch, a freshman who quickly evolved into a force as a defensive end for Notre Dame's football team, was selected to the Football Writers Association of America's Freshman All-America team.
Lynch led the Irish with 51/2 sacks and tied for third on the team with seven tackles for loss. His 14 quarterback hurries were the most ever by an Irish defender since the statistic began being charted in 1998.
Previously named a freshman All-America first-team selection by both Phil Steele and FoxSports.com, Lynch started six of 12 games played and totaled 33 tackles and added two pass breakups.
Lynch had his biggest games against some of the best competition he faced in his first season. He recorded five tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and tallied six quarterback hurries in Notre Dame's 31-13 win vs. then-No. 15 Michigan State. The six quarterback hurries were the most ever in a single game by a Notre Dame player since 1998.
In the regular-season finale at No. 4 Stanford, Lynch tallied a season-best six tackles including one-half tackle for loss. The Cape Coral, Fla., native set his career high with 1 1/2 sacks and 1 1/2 tackles for loss as part of a five-tackle performance vs. No. 25 Florida State in the Champs Sports Bowl.
He became the third Notre Dame player selected to the FWAA Freshman All-America team. Defensive tackle Ian Williams was named to the 2007 team and offensive tackle Sam Young was selected in 2006.
Westerkamp won't budge
Notre Dame recruiting target Jordan Westerkamp said Monday that he will stick with the original commitment he gave Nebraska and sign with the Cornhuskers next month.
Westerkamp, a wide receiver from Lombard, Ill., recently received an offer from ND and said last week that he was deciding between the Irish and Huskers. The website 247Sports.com reported Westerkamp's decision to remain with Nebraska.
Lynch led the Irish with 51/2 sacks and tied for third on the team with seven tackles for loss. His 14 quarterback hurries were the most ever by an Irish defender since the statistic began being charted in 1998.
Previously named a freshman All-America first-team selection by both Phil Steele and FoxSports.com, Lynch started six of 12 games played and totaled 33 tackles and added two pass breakups.
Lynch had his biggest games against some of the best competition he faced in his first season. He recorded five tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and tallied six quarterback hurries in Notre Dame's 31-13 win vs. then-No. 15 Michigan State. The six quarterback hurries were the most ever in a single game by a Notre Dame player since 1998.
In the regular-season finale at No. 4 Stanford, Lynch tallied a season-best six tackles including one-half tackle for loss. The Cape Coral, Fla., native set his career high with 1 1/2 sacks and 1 1/2 tackles for loss as part of a five-tackle performance vs. No. 25 Florida State in the Champs Sports Bowl.
He became the third Notre Dame player selected to the FWAA Freshman All-America team. Defensive tackle Ian Williams was named to the 2007 team and offensive tackle Sam Young was selected in 2006.
Westerkamp won't budge
Notre Dame recruiting target Jordan Westerkamp said Monday that he will stick with the original commitment he gave Nebraska and sign with the Cornhuskers next month.
Westerkamp, a wide receiver from Lombard, Ill., recently received an offer from ND and said last week that he was deciding between the Irish and Huskers. The website 247Sports.com reported Westerkamp's decision to remain with Nebraska.
