Caden Sterns and Sam Cosmi named USA TODAY Freshman All-Americans

On Wednesday, USA TODAY announced that two Texas Longhorns players — safety Caden Sterns and right tackle Sam Cosmi — were named Freshman All-Americans.

A member of the All-Big 12 first teams named by coaches and the Associated Press, Sterns was also the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year after starting all 13 games. He finished with 62 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, four interceptions, and four pass breakups. Those four interceptions tied the school record for the most ever by a Longhorns freshman. Sterns also blocked a punt that was returned for a touchdown against USC.

Cosmi, a redshirt freshman, broke into the starting lineup against Tulsa and never relinquished his spot as he emerged as the team’s best offensive lineman while receiving votes from Big 12 coaches as the conference’s Offensive Freshman of the Year. According to the school, he graded out at 85 percent on the season thanks to 57 knockdowns and 68 blocks that resulted in first downs or touchdowns. In pass protection, he only allowed four sacks and eight pressures in 460 pass plays.