Year 2008 will go down in the annals of Ole Miss School history as a historical year for the Rebels; two Rebels were selected for the AP All- America first team. Peria Jerry and Michael Oher were both honored as first-team All-Americans. The revelation was made through the list that was released by the Associated Press enlisting its college football All-America teams.



Other finalists include Mack Brown, Texas; Turner Gill, Buffalo; Mike Leach, Texas Tech; Chris Petersen, Boise State; Nick Saban, Alabama; Bob Stoops, Oklahoma and Kyle Whittingham, Utah.Jerry, a senior defensive tackle, picks up First Team All-America distinction for the first time in his career.

Oher has been a consensus First Team All-American offensive tackle this time. He helped the Rebel's rushing offensive pile up the third-most yards on the ground; he also has the fewest sacks.

Oher didn't play organized football of any kind until his junior year at Briarcrest Christian School; but at the time of his passing out from high school he was rated as one of the top offensive linemen in the country. He earned first team USA Today All-American honors and played in the prestigious U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas. ESPN named him as the best offensive tackle. As a high school senior, he graded out at 90 percent. He didn't allow a sack in his two years and had 200 total pancake blocks.

He did not play left tackle until his senior year. Despite this, due to his size and skills he was a very exciting prospect and attracted the attention of scouts.

Weighing at 322 pounds and standing tall at 6 feet 6 inches, Oher has had an illustrious career so far; he started in 10 games as a guard during his first season with Mississippi, becoming a first-team freshman All American. He shifted to his natural position of left tackle for the 2006 season, and was named to a variety of preseason All-Conference and All-American teams. He was named a second-team SEC offensive lineman after his sophomore season and a first-team SEC offensive lineman after his junior season.

His strength and size complements his impeccable technique and understanding of the game. He plays with excellent knee bend, uses proper leverage and slides his feet very well. He has excellent balance and surely has the talent to start in the NFL. He is a powerful blocker, so much so that, running back, BenJarvus Green-Ellis become only the third 1,000-yard runner in Ole Miss History for two consecutive years.

Last season, as a junior, he had a great season and impressed one and all by his game at left tackle and was declared for the 2008 NFL Draft where he would have been a top 20 selection in the first round. But he returned to Ole Miss for his senior season after withdrawing form the NFL draft in January '08. This time around he is a unanimous choice for the first team of All American team and the best prospect for the offensive lineman.