Gaines Named AFCA All-American

WACO, Texas – University of West Alabama punter Zach Gaines has been selected to the 2019 American Football Coaches Association All-America team.

A second-team selection by national coaches, this is Gaines' second All-America designation in the last three years. He was an All-America choice as a sophomore in 2017. He has also earned All-Gulf South Conference and All-South Region accolades throughout his career as UWA's punter.

The senior from Calera, Alabama ended his time as a Tiger as the all-time UWA leader in yards per punt at 42.97. He also finishes in the top three career spots in other UWA punting categories and among GSC career leaders. He led the GSC in yards per punt this season at 44.7.

A third-generation Tiger, Gaines punted 182 times in his career for 7,821 yards, both third in West Alabama football history.

The AFCA has selected an All-America team since 1945 and currently selects teams in all five of its divisions. AFCA All-America teams are different because they are the only ones chosen exclusively by the men who know the players the best — the coaches.

The AFCA's Division II All-America Selection Committee is made up of three head coaches from each of the AFCA's seven districts, one of whom serves as a district chairman, along with another head coach who serves as the chairman of the selection committee. The coaches in each district are responsible for ranking the top players in their respective districts prior to a conference call between the district chairmen and the committee chairman on which the teams are chosen.

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Players Mentioned

#17 Zach Gaines: P; 6' 1"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#17 Zach Gaines
: 6' 1"; Senior
: P

Players Mentioned

#17 Zach Gaines

Players Mentioned

#17 Zach Gaines