University of Cincinnati football redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Dontay Corleone was named to the Associated Press Preseason All-America First Team.
He was the only player from the Big 12 and one of two interior lineman to be selected to the first team defense by AP Top 25 voters.
Corleone was recognized on the preseason watch lists for the 2023 Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Walter Camp Player of the Year Award and Chuck Bednarik Award earlier this month. Additionally, he was tabbed preseason All-Big 12 by conference media and selected as a preseason All-American by the Athletic, Phil Steele, Athlon Sports and Walter Camp Football Foundation.
The Cincinnati native collected 2022 All-AAC First Team and Third Team All-America selections by the Associated Press and Pro Football Focus after he totaled 45 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, three sacks, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles in only 11 games last fall. Corleone was also named an AFCA and College Football News Freshman All-American.
Corleone finished as the nation's highest-graded defensive player by PFF (93.8) last fall and recorded a single-season run defense grade (94.7) that was the best of any player since 2019.