Jonathan Taylor becomes 10th Badger to claim unanimous first-team All-American honors

Sophomore running back Jonathan Taylor continues to etch his name into Wisconsin football lore. With five first-team All-America accolades for this season’s performance, the Badger became the 10th in school history to earn the title of unanimous All-American.

Heading into the 2018 Pinstripe Bowl against Miami on Dec. 27, Taylor leads the nation in rushing yards (1,989) and rushing yards per game (165.8) while scoring 15 touchdowns on the ground during the 2018 season.

Three other Badgers—Alan Ameche (1954), Ron Dayne (1999) and Melvin Gordon (2014)—have claimed the distinction of unanimous All-American, according to UW. All are running backs, for what it’s worth.

Taylor claimed first-team All-America honors from the following publications:

• American Football Coaches Association (AFCA)
• Associated Press,
• Football Writers’ Association of America (FWAA)
• Sporting News
• Walter Camp Football Association

Taylor, along with redshirt senior offensive lineman Beau Benzschawel, also claimed consensus All-America honors. Benzschawel, a Grafton, Wis., native, was named a first-team All-American by the AFCA, AP and Walter Camp Football Association. UW noted the offensive duo are the 28th and 29th consensus All-America selections in the program’s history.