By Melville Van Buren
Aug. 21, 2023
CINCINNATI – University of Cincinnati football redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Dontay Corleone was named to the Associated Press Preseason All-America First Team on Monday.
He was the only player from the Big 12 and one of two interior lineman to be selected to the first team defense by AP Top 25 voters.
Corleone was recognized on the preseason watch lists for the 2023 Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Walter Camp Player of the Year Award and Chuck Bednarik Award earlier this month. Additionally, he was tabbed preseason All-Big 12 by conference media and selected as a preseason All-American by the Athletic, Phil Steele, Athlon Sports and Walter Camp Football Foundation.
The Cincinnati native collected 2022 All-AAC First Team and Third Team All-America selections by the Associated Press and Pro Football Focus after he totaled 45 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, three sacks, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles in only 11 games last fall. Corleone was also named an AFCA and College Football News Freshman All-American.
Corleone finished as the nation’s highest-graded defensive player by PFF (93.8) last fall and recorded a single-season run defense grade (94.7) that was the best of any player since 2019.
CORLEONE 2023 PRESEASON HONORS
2023 Chuck Bednarik Award Preseason Watch List
2023 Walter Camp Player of the Year Award Preseason Watch List
2023 Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List
2023 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List
2023 Preseason All-Big 12
2023 AP Preseason All-America First Team
2023 Phil Steele Preseason First Team All-America and First Team All-Big 12
2023 Athlon Sports Preseason Second Team All-America and First Team All-Big 12
2023 The Athletic Preseason Second Team All-America
2023 Walter Camp Preseason First Team All-America
2023 Bruce Feldman’s Freak List
COURTESY UC SPORTS COMMUNICATIONS
