Kansas State kick returner Morgan Burns earns another national honor

Kansas State’s Morgan Burns received another national honor Sunday, continuing his impressive start to college football’s award season.

Burns, a senior defensive back, was named second-team All-American by the Associated Press as an all-purpose player.

Burns was previously named Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year on Wednesday, a day after he was named first-team All-American as a kick returner by USA Today.

The Wichita native and Trinity Academy product earned all three honors after a fantastic year of special teams plays. He returned four kickoffs for touchdowns and also scored on a blocked punt.

He has found the end zone in four consecutive games despite never lining up with K-State’s offense. Burns was also named All-Big 12 kick returner and honorable mention defensive back.

He will play his final game in a K-State uniform on Jan. 2 against Arkansas in the Liberty Bowl.

Heisman winner Henry highlights All-America team — Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry of Alabama and finalists Deshaun Watson of Clemson and Christian McCaffrey of Stanford highlight The Associated Press All-America team.

The team released Sunday features Henry and Leonard Fournette of LSU as first-team running backs. Watson is the quarterback on the first team. McCaffrey, who set an NCAA record for all-purpose yards this season, made the first team as an all-purpose player.

No. 2 Alabama and No. 18 Baylor have the most players on the first team with three apiece. Joining Henry from Alabama are linebacker Reggie Ragland and defensive lineman A'Shawn Robinson. Baylor is represented by receiver Corey Coleman, offensive tackle Spencer Drango and defensive tackle Andrew Billings.

Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield is the second team quarterback and Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds made third team.

Clemson (Watson and defensive end Shaq Lawson), Stanford (McCaffrey and guard Joshua Garnett) and Ohio State (safety Vonn Bell and tackle Taylor Decker) each had two players on the first team.

The Southeastern Conference had the most players on the first team with six, followed by the Big Ten with five, including Penn State defensive end Carl Nassib.

This story was originally published December 13, 2015 at 6:20 PM with the headline "Kansas State kick returner Morgan Burns earns another national honor."