Wisconsin’s Montee Ball and Alabama’s Trent Richardson don’t have anything on Vancouver native Bobby Cowan.
The Evergreen High School graduate might not be as well- known nationally as those prolific running backs but, like them, he has been selected a first-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America.
Cowan, a junior at the University of Idaho, was the only punter on the team that was announced Saturday. He finished second in the country this season with an average of 46.4 yards a kick, delivering 32 boots of 50 yards or more.
“He is very deserving of All-America status,” Idaho coach Robb Akey said. “Even more important, he’s an All-American kid. I’m glad he’s ours.”
Idaho finished 2-10 overall and 1-6 in the Western Athletic Conference.
Cowan, listed at 6-foot-5, 232 pounds, was an all-state punter and a standout quarterback at Evergreen. He redshirted in 2008, his first season at Idaho, and since then has had season averages of 43.0, 45.1 and 46.4 yards a kick — ranking seventh, third, and second in Idaho history.
He had a long kick of 76 yards in 2011 and pinned the opponent inside the 20-yard line on 17 occasions.
All of that was enough to earn Cowan recognition from the FWAA’s committee of 12 selectors from across the nation. The squad is headed by notables such as Ball and Richardson at running back, and Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III of Baylor at quarterback.
Cowan becomes the second Idaho player honored in the 67-year history of the squad, joining guard Mike Iupati, who was selected in 2009.
