Iowa State football's lockdown cornerback T.J. Tampa is an Associated Press All-American
Iowa State football received some love on the Associated Press' annual All-American football team Monday. Cornerback T.J. Tampa was selected as a third-teamer − after starting his career as a receiver. Talk about a successful position transition.
Tampa, a semifinalist for the Thorpe and Bednarik awards and a midseason All-American by USA Today, enters the bowl season with 24 consecutive starts, the second-longest active streak on the team. The senior has started 29 games during his career.
A first-team All-Big 12 selection, Tampa allowed just one touchdown in 414 coverage snaps during the season. He had two interceptions, including the game-clincher in Iowa State's win over Oklahoma State. The senior from St. Petersburg, Fla., will play in the Senior Bowl on Feb. 3.
The 7-5 Cyclones face hometown Memphis in the Dec. 29 Liberty Bowl.
Iowa State columnist Randy Peterson is in his 51st year writing sports for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at rpeterson@dmreg.com, on X @RandyPete, and at DesMoinesRegister.com/CyclonesTexts
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa State cornerback T.J. Tampa is an AP All-American
