Penn State standout defensive end Tamba Hali has earned a place on the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-America team, the first All-America team to be announced for the 2005 campaign.

Hali becomes the 75th Penn State student-athlete to earn first team All-America recognition, a total of 87 times, dating back to W.T. (Mother) Dunn's selection to the Walter Camp All-America squad in 1906. The Nittany Lions have had 70 first team All-America selections under Joe Paterno, with at least one All-American in 35 of his 40 years as head coach.

Hali is Penn State's fourth defensive lineman to earn first team All-America honors in the past six years, joining Courtney Brown, Michael Haynes and Jimmy Kennedy.

The AFCA has selected an All-America team annually since 1945.