BIRMINGHAM – Redshirt freshman Kam Shanks has been named a First Team All-America punt return specialist by The Sporting News, as announced by the outlet on Wednesday.
 
Shanks is now the second player in UAB history to garner The Sporting News All-America status, joining running back DeWayne McBride who earned Second Team honors in 2022.
 
Shanks earned All-America status as a punt return specialist after leading the nation in punt return yards (329), punt return average (20.6) and punt return touchdowns (2).
 
Against Tulsa, Shanks set the single game school record with 139 punt return yards, which capped a performance in which he had 311 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns against the Golden Hurricane and earned Hornung Award National Player of the Week honors.
 
Along with his punt return prowess, Shanks had 62 receptions for 656 yards and five touchdowns. His 62 receptions were tied for the fourth most in a single season at UAB, and he finished the year with 1,050 all-purpose yards.
 
The Sporting News All-America Team is one of five All-America teams that make up the Consensus All-America Team, along with Walter Camp, AFCA, Associated Press and the FWAA. The Sporting News was the only All-America honor for Shanks.