Nov. 23, 1999

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - University of Virginia tailback Thomas Jones and center John St. Clair have been named to the Football News All-American teams as selected by the publication's editorial staff.

Jones, a senior from Big Stone Gap, Va., was named to the Football News All-American first team in recognition of his outstanding season this year when he set Atlantic Coast Conference single-season records for most yards rushing (1,798) and all-purpose yards (2,054). He is third in the nation in rushing and second in all-purpose yards.

This marks the second year in a row Jones has led the ACC in rushing, becoming the first player since Ethan Horton of North Carolina (1983-84) to lead the conference in back-to-back seasons.

Jones also led the ACC in rushing touchdowns (16), total touchdowns (17) and receptions by a running back (22) this season. His four 200-yard games in '99 tied for the national lead and is the most ever in a season by an ACC player. Prior to this season, the ACC record for career 200-yard games was three-Jones finishes his career with six. All told, Jones owns at least seven ACC and 14 school records.

St. Clair, a senior from Roanoke, Va., was named a Football News second-team All-American. He played a major role this fall in helping pave the way for Jones' record-setting campaign. A two-year starter at center for the Cavaliers, St. Clair is a mainstay of an offensive line that keys one of the nation's most balanced offenses. Virginia averaged 191. 5 yards rushing and 211.0 yards passing this season en route to a 7-4 record.

Jones is the first UVa running back to receive first-team All-American honors since Jim Bakhtiar in 1957. St. Clair is the first center in school history named to an All-American team.