Underwood chosen first-team All-American

For the second time in a week, Illinois State University football standout Colton Underwood was selected as an all-American, this time Dec. 12 by the Associated Press.

Underwood was tabbed two days earlier as a first all-America selection by The Sports Network.

Underwood, a 2010 Washington Community High School graduate, became the first Redbird AP first-team All-America pick since Cameron Siskovic in 2006.

Underwood, a junior defensive end, leads the Missouri Valley Football Conference in sacks (10.5) and tackles for loss (19.5).

He currently ranks No. 13 in the country in sacks and is tied for 12th in the Football Championship Subdivision in tackles for loss.

Underwood, a 2012 Buck Buchanan Award nominee, was an all-Missouri Valley Football Conference First-Team selection and a MVFC All-Academic second-team honoree.

He recorded at least one sack in eight games and a tackle for loss in nine games, with five multiple tackle-for-loss performances and finished the season ranked second on the 9-4 team with 95 tackles.

Underwood was a two-time first-team all-Mid-Illini Conference selection as a Panther and earned Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Class 5A all-state merit as a senior.