by staff–8 Jan ’19
The Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) selected Wyoming freshman center Keegan Cryder to its 2018 Freshman All-America Team that was announced on Monday.
Cryder is one of only 32 freshmen in the nation to earn the honor this season. He is one of only six freshmen offensive linemen in the country at the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level to receive the honor in 2018. A complete listing of the 2018 FWAA Freshman All-America Team may be found at: http://www.sportswriters.net/fwaa/news/2018/allamerica190107.html
The native of Littleton, Colo., Cryder started all 12 games for the Wyoming Cowboys as a redshirt freshman this past season. He was also the most versatile offensive lineman for the Cowboys, starting his first four games at guard, three at left guard and one at right guard, before starting the final eight games of the season at center.
Cryder played every offensive snap of every game for Wyoming during the 2018 season – 771 plays. He graded out at an 88.9% make the play grade and a 97.0% effort grade. Cryder recorded 52 knockdown blocks and allowed only one sack the entire season.
He helped block for Wyoming running back Nico Evans, who concluded the season ranked No. 3 in the nation in rushing, averaging 132.5 rushing yards per game. Wyoming was the only FBS team in the nation to have two individuals each rush for 100 or more yards in a single game on four different occasions this past season.
Cryder becomes the third Cowboy in the past four seasons to earn FWAA Freshman All-America honors. Wyoming safety Andrew Wingard earned the honor in 2015, and linebacker Logan Wilson was named to the 2016 FWAA Freshman All-America team. Cryder is a civil engineering major.
