ATLANTA, Dec. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Four nominees have been announced for the AT&T All-America Player of the Year award, and only the fan votes will determine the top college football player in the nation. In the only collegiate national player of the year award determined solely by the fans, University of Alabama running back Mark Ingram, University of Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, University of Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow have been selected by ESPN as the nation's top candidates based on their outstanding performances throughout the season, and AT&T* is relying on fans to determine who rules the gridiron.
"Each year we have a quality group of finalists for AT&T All-America Player of the Year and this group is no exception," said Tim McGhee, executive director, AT&T corporate sponsorships. "College football fans will have a tough choice selecting one winner from these four outstanding players. AT&T wishes each of the players the best of luck."
Fans - regardless of wireless carrier - can sign up to vote by sending the text message** VOTE to 345345 from a wireless phone. Those who participated in the AT&T All-America Player of the Week voting will automatically receive a text message with the nominees for AT&T All-America Player of the Year. Standard text messaging and data rates apply.
Voting for the AT&T All-America Player of the Year is open until Wednesday, Jan. 6 at 11:59 p.m. ET. The selection process will culminate with an announcement during the Bowl Championship Series National Championship game on ABC Jan. 7.
The credentials of the candidates are impressive, as they have led their teams to a combined record of 47-5, including two of the four nominees' teams recording perfect seasons at 13-0. In addition, Texas and Alabama will battle it out in the BCS National Championship Game and Florida will appear in a major BCS bowl. All four nominees are Heisman Trophy candidates. Below is an overview of each candidate's qualifications:
University of Alabama running back Mark Ingram broke the Alabama single-season rushing record with 1,542 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns. He averaged 118.6 yards rushing per game and 6.2 yards per carry while catching 30 passes for 322 yards and three touchdowns. In addition, he racked up 1,864 all-purpose yards and 18 touchdowns during the Crimson Tide's undefeated season. Named the 2009 SEC Offensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press, Ingram also won AT&T's All-America Player of the Week in week seven after he carried the ball 24 times for a career-high 246 yards and the game-clinching touchdown in the Alabama's win over South Carolina. Ingram will lead the Crimson Tide against University of Texas in the BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 7.
Colt McCoy, University of Texas quarterback, led the team in total offense with 3,328 passing yards and 368 rushing yards, averaging 308 yards per game. During the Longhorns' undefeated season, he threw 27 passes for touchdowns and rushed for three. McCoy's 70.5 completion percentage ranks third nationally. In addition, he won AT&T's All-America Player of the Week in week 13 when he passed for 304 yards and ran for a career-high 175 yards with five total touchdowns in Texas' win at Texas A&M. He is the first player in the school's history to be nominated twice as a Heisman finalist. McCoy will lead the Longhorns against University of Alabama in the BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 7.
University of Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh led the Cornhuskers with 82 total tackles (23 for loss) and 12 sacks, which is the third most in Nebraska history. Suh had a prolific game against University of Texas in the Big 12 Championship, producing a career-best 4.5 sacks along with a team-high 12 tackles - seven of which were for a loss. Suh will lead the Cornhuskers against University of Arizona in the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl on Dec. 30.
In his third year nominated for AT&T's All-America Player of the Year, University of Florida's quarterback Tim Tebow threw for 2,413 yards, 18 touchdowns and only five interceptions. He also led the team in rushing yardage with 859 yards and 13 touchdowns. Named the 2009 first-team All-SEC quarterback from the Associated Press, Tebow led the SEC in completion percentage with 65.2 and is second in passing efficiency with 155.6, lowest interception percentage with 1.8 and rushing touchdowns with 13. He is the first player to be invited to the announcement of the Heisman Trophy three times. Tebow will lead the Gators against University of Cincinnati in the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1.
Last year, Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell was honored as the AT&T All-America Player of the Year, edging Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford of Oklahoma, Texas' Colt McCoy and Florida's Tim Tebow.
Additionally, AT&T customers can view video highlights and photos of each candidate and track select teams through AT&T's wireless NCAA Football Portal, which is accessible on AT&T handsets equipped with AT&T MEdia(TM) Net by launching the application and clicking through to the sports category.
Through the AT&T MEdia Net, fans can also download fight song ringtones from more than 150 colleges and universities. Animated screensavers and 3-D mobile wallpaper are available for more than 100 colleges and universities.
For more information about AT&T products and services, visit http://www.att.com/.
AT&T CV requires a MEdia Max Unlimited or MEdia Net Unlimited bundle. Details on AT&T's MEdia Net bundles and other offers are available at http://www.att.com/wireless.
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** No purchase necessary. Standard text messaging applies. About AT&T
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