Dec. 11, 2012

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The honors keep rolling in for University of Kentucky senior offensive guard Larry Warford. After earning All-Southeastern Conference honors by four different media outlets and league coaches, Warford earned his highest honor yet Tuesday when The Associated Press named him a third-team All-American.

This is the first All-America honor for Warford, who becomes the first UK offensive lineman to earn All-America status since Mike Pfeifer (first-team by Football News, Mizlou) in 1989 and the first to receive the honor from the AP since Warren Bryant earned second-team honors in 1976. All totaled, Warford is the 12th UK offensive lineman to earn All-America honors in school history.

So far this offseason, Warford has been named a second-team All-SEC performer by SEC coaches, AP and CollegeSportsMadness.com, while ESPN.com and CBSSports.com named him first-team All-SEC Team on Monday.

Warford received high praise throughout the season from the UK coaching staff for playing with amazing skill up front. He did not allow a quarterback sack all year, grading at 90.3 percent for the season and totaling 48 knockdown blocks.

The native of Richmond, Ky., ended his UK career having played in 47 games with 37 consecutive starts. The senior was named SEC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week after UK’s win over Kent State, handling blocking responsibilities on KSU’s star lineman Roosevelt Nix. In the game, Warford collected eight knockdown blocks and graded out at 91.7 percent while limiting Nix to only two assisted tackles.

Warford began the season on the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Trophy Watch Lists, while he was chosen as a first-team midseason All-SEC selection by Phil Steele’s College Football. Warford led the UK offensive line being named game captain five times throughout the season. Warford helped UK tailbacks earn 4.9 yards per carry during the season, including rushing for 342 yards against Samford.