Wisconsin's David Edwards, coach Paul Chryst and others are honored

MADISON - Led by redshirt sophomore right tackle David Edwards, three more Wisconsin players were named all-American on Wednesday.

Edwards, who played quarterback in high school and started out at tight end at UW before moving to tackle in the summer of 2016, was named to the American Football Coaches Association first team.

Senior tight end Troy Fumagalli and redshirt junior linebacker T.J. Edwards were second-team picks. 

Also Wednesday, head coach Paul Chryst was named a finalist for the 2017 Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award. Chryst was a finalist in 2016 also.

Chryst, the consensus Big Ten coach of the year, has guided UW to a 12-1 mark and the No. 6 ranking according to the College Football Playoff committee. UW finished the regular season 12-0, completing its first undefeated regular season since going 7-0 in 1912.

UW is 22-4 in Big Ten play and 33-7 overall In three seasons under Chryst.

The other finalists for the Bryant award are Clay Helton (USC), Scott Frost (UCF), Gus Malzahn (Auburn), Jeff Monken (Army), Kirby Smart (Georgia) and Dabo Swinney (Clemson).

The winner will be announced Jan. 10 in Houston.

The AFCA All-American team was the fifth recognized by the NCAA to determine consensus All-America status. 

The others: The Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, Walter Camp Foundation and The Sporting News. 

Six UW players garnered all-American honors from that group, the program mark for a single season. 

David Edwards has started all 13 games at right tackle this season. He helped UW 229.2 rushing yards per game.

T.J. Edwards, a runner-up for the Butkus Award (top linebacker in the nation), has 11 tackles for loss and 75 total tackles. UW enters bowl season No. 1 nationally in yards allowed per game (253.2) and No. 3 nationally in points allowed per game (13.2). He is also tied for the team lead in interceptions with four.

Fumagalli was a finalist for the Mackey Award, given to the top tight end in the nation. He leads UW in receptions (43) and receiving yards (516).

Wisconsin's 2017 All-Americans

Beau Benzschawel, RG (AP 3rd)

Michael Deiter, LT (Sporting News 2nd)

David Edwards, RT (AFCA 1st, FWAA 2nd, Walter Camp 2nd, AP 3rd)

T.J. Edwards, ILB (AP 1st, AFCA 2nd, Sporting News 2nd, Walter Camp 2nd)

Troy Fumagalli, TE (AFCA 2nd, AP 2nd, FWAA 2nd, Walter Camp 2nd)

Jonathan Taylor, RB (AP 2nd, FWAA 2nd, Sporting News 2nd, Walter Camp 2nd)