.png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ken Lucas Named All-America First Team
12/6/2000 | Football
Dec. 6, 2000
OXFORD, Miss. - Ole Miss senior cornerback Ken Lucas of Cleveland, Miss, has been named to the Rivals.com 2000 College Football All-America first team.
The selection of Lucas, who is rated by ESPN football analyst Mel Kiper, Jr., as the nation's top senior defensive back prospect for next April's NFL Draft, marked the 38th time for an Ole Miss player to earn first team All-America honors.
"In a lot of people's eyes, Ken Lucas became the best cover corner in America this year, and he may well be," said Ole Miss head coach David Cutcliffe. "He consistently played every route very well and was around the ball making plays. I think he'll be an outstanding pro player. The thing Ken did that made a difference to him is he became a total practice player. He got involved in his job and got better every day."
After spending his first two years primarily as a wide receiver, Lucas was also used some on defense, making him a rare two-way player on the Division I level. He finally settled in at cornerback his junior season.
"There's no telling just how good Ken would be right now had he been a corner all four years," Cutcliffe said. "The position was new to him and he had a lot to learn. It's evident that he learned well. His best football is still ahead of him."
Lucas was earlier selected second team All-America by Collegefootball-news.com and Gannett News Service, while being tabbed third team All-America by Football News. He has also picked up either first or second team All-Southeastern Conference honors from numerous all-star selection boards.
While starting all 11 games in 2000, Lucas set an Ole Miss single-season record with 25 passes defensed. He led the Rebels in interceptions with five, tying for third in the SEC and 19th nationally, and intercepted passes in three straight games.
Lucas was credited with 43 tackles during his senior campaign, including three tackles for losses of a minus 12 yards, and also forced one fumble. He registered a single game career-high 10 tackles against Auburn.
While Lucas was earning first team All-America honors, he was joined by several other Rebels receiving All-SEC recognition over the last two days.
Senior running back Deuce McAllister of Morton, Miss., and senior defensive lineman Derrick Burgess of Riverdale, Md., earned first team All-SEC honors from the Associated Press, with McAllister being selected as the all-purpose player. Second team All-SEC picks for the Rebels by the Associated Press included junior offensive lineman Terrence Metcalf of Clarksdale, Miss., junior defensive back Syniker Taylor of Gulfport, Miss., and Lucas.
Metcalf and Lucas made the SEC Coaches All-SEC first team, while quarterback Romaro Miller of Shannon, Miss., McAllister, and Burgess made the second team.