Nov. 24, 1999

LEXINGTON, Kty. — Whalen Named All-America: Kentucky tight end James Whalen hasbeen named first-team All-America as chosen by the Football WritersAssociation of America.

Whalen caught 90 passes for 1,019 yards and 10 touchdowns duringthe 1999 season, leading the nation’s tight ends in all threecategories. He set NCAA records for most receptions in a season by atight end and most receptions per game (8.2) by a tight end. His 90catches also broke UK’s single-season record for receptions, eclipsingCraig Yeast’s mark of 85 set a year ago.

With 1,019 receiving yards, Whalen became the second Wildcat tosurpass the 1,000-yard receiving mark in a season. His 10 TD catchesalso are the second-best single-season mark in UK history.

Whalen had four games with double-digit receptions during the1999 season. With 10 catches against Indiana and 12 against Florida, hebecame the first player in school history to have double-digitreceptions in consecutive games. He duplicated that feat later in theseason with 10 catches at Georgia, followed by 11 at Mississippi State.

Whalen had five 100-yard receiving games, topped by 151 yards atGeorgia. He also caught four touchdown passes against the Bulldogs,tying a school record.

Whalen’s top individual play came in the season opener vs.Louisville. His 57-yard touchdown catch-and-run, capped by a dive intothe end zone, was named the Compaq “Best Hustle Play of the Week inCollege Football.”