SPORTS

Purdue's Karlaftis, Bell named Freshman All-America by FWAA

Mike Carmin
Lafayette Journal & Courier

WEST LAFAYETTE - The honors keep coming for Purdue's George Karlaftis and David Bell. 

The pair has been named Freshman All-America by the Football Writers Association of America. Karlaftis and Bell were the only two freshmen from the Big Ten to make the list.  Purdue, Alabama, Oregon and UCLA each placed two players on the team. 

It's the second straight year Purdue has placed a freshman on the team. Rondale Moore was named an All-American last year by the FWAA. 

Purdue defensive end George Karlaftis (5) comes in to tackle Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) as he throws during the fourth quarter of a NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019 at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette.

Karlaftis finished third on the team with 54 tackles, including 30 solos. His 17 tackles for loss were the most by a freshman nationally. The West Lafayette graduate tied for the team lead with 7.5 sacks. 

His TFL total was the most by a Boilermaker since Kawann Short had 17.0 as a junior in 2011. Karlaftis' sack total was the highest since Ryan Kerrigan finished with 12.5 as a senior in 2010. Karlaftis garnered second-team All-Big Ten honors from the conference's media.

Bell led the conference and all freshmen nationally with 86 receptions for 1,035 yards and seven touchdowns in 2019. His reception total tied for the eighth highest in school history and his yardage total ranks 12th.

The Indianapolis native was named the 2019 Thompson-Randle El Big Ten Freshman of the Year.

Purdue wide receiver David Bell (3) runs the ball during the fourth quarter of a NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019 at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette.

CHANGE OF PLANS

Colorado State graduate transfer T.J. Storment announced last Thursday he committed to Purdue but 48 hours later changed his mind. Storment is now attending Texas Christian and is expected to play left tackle for the Horned Frogs during the 2020 season.