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The University of Mississippi Athletics
French Named to Walter Camp All-America Team
6/21/1999 | Football
November 26, 1998
NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Ole Miss tight end Rufus French has been selected to the 1998 Walter Camp All-America team, it was announced here Wednesday.
French, a 6-4, 250 pound junior from Amory, Miss., is the first player from Ole Miss to be named to the Walter Camp team since punter Bill Smith was selected in 1986. The Walter Camp team is the country's oldest All-America team -- first named in 1889.
"This is a much deserved honor for Rufus," said Ole Miss head coach Tommy Tuberville. "Rufus has worked hard to elevate his overall game, especially in the area of blocking. He has always been an outstanding receiver. His play has been one of the major reasons our offense is currently ranked third in the Southeastern Conference."
French is leading all SEC tight ends in receiving for the second straight year. His 1998 totals include 34 receptions for 382 yards and two touchdowns.
Heading into Thursday's season finale against arch-rival Mississippi State, French is only 11 catches away from tying Jim Poole (1969-71) for the most career receptions by an Ole Miss tight end with 94.
French has recorded the second-highest reception total by an Ole Miss tight end with 83 for 810 yards and four touchdowns. His 83 receptions also ties him with Rick Kimbrough (1973-75) for 12th place on the Ole Miss all-time career receptions list.
French is the 36th Ole Miss player to earn first team All- America honors. The most recent selection was tight end Kris Mangum, who was chosen to the Football Digest All-America first team in 1996. Mangum is currently playing for the Carolina Panthers in the NFL.
Three of the last four Ole Miss All-Americans have been tight ends. Wesley Walls, also a member of the Carolina Panthers, joins French and Mangum as tight end honorees. Everett Lindsay, an All- America pick in 1991 and 1992, was an offensive lineman.
The 1998, along with other special award winners, will be formally honored on February 27, 1999 at the Walter Camp All- America National Awards Dinner held at the historic Yale University Commons.
THE 1998 WALTER CAMP ALL-AMERICA TEAMOffense
Pos. Player College Year Hgt. Wgt. HometownWR Peter Warrick Florida State Jr. 6-0 190 Bradenton, FLWR Troy Edwards Louisiana Tech Sr. 6-10 195 Shreveport, LATE Rufus French Ole Miss Jr. 6-4 250 Amory, MSOL Matt Stinchcomb Georgia Sr. 6-6 291 Lilburn, GAOL Kris Farris UCLA Jr. 6-9 310 Mission Viego, CAOL Aaron Gibson Wisconsin Sr. 6-7 372 Indianapolis, INOL Mike Rosenthal Notre Dame Sr. 6-7 300 Granger, INC Grey Ruegamer Arizona State Sr. 6-5 304 Las Vegas, NVQB Tim Couch Kentucky Jr. 6-5 225 Hyden, KYRB Ricky Williams Texas Sr. 6-0 226 San Diego, CARB Ron Dayne Wisconsin Jr. 5-10 268 Berlin, NJPK Martin Gramatica Kansas State Sr. 5-9 175 BuenosAires, ArgDefense
DL Jared DeVries Iowa Sr. 6-4 284 Aplington, IADL Monlae Reagor Texas Tech Sr. 6-2 264 Waxahachie, TXDL Tom Burke Wisconsin Sr. 6-4 249 Poplar, WIDL Robaire Smith Michigan State Jr. 6-5 264 Flint, MILB Jevon Kearse Florida Jr. 6-5 250 Ft. Myers, FLLB Dat Nguyen Texas A&M Sr. 6-0 216 Rockport, TXLB Chris Claiborne USC Jr. 6-3 250 Riverside, CADB Chris McAlister Arizona Sr. 6-1 206 Pasadena, CADB Champ Bailey Georgia Jr. 6-1 186 Folkston, GADB Dre' Bly North Carolina Jr. 5-10 200 Chesapeake, VADB Antoine Winfield Ohio State Sr. 5-9 180 Akron, OHP Joe Kristosik UNLV Sr. 6-3 220 Las Vegas, NV
