Jan. 4, 2006
LOS ANGELES - The Football Writers Association of America and Scripps announced their fifth annual Freshman All-America Team on Wednesday morning and UCF cornerback Joe Burnett was named to the team.
The team and coach are selected by a group of writers led by FWAA vice-president Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News Sentinel, a member of the Scripps chain. Both true freshmen and redshirt freshmen were considered for the team and so noted.
The honor adds to a long list of postseason awards for Burnett. He was also named a Freshman All-American by Collegefootballnews.com and Rivals.com. The Sporting News named Burnett to its Freshman All-America Third Team as both a punt returner and cornerback.
Burnett was an all-Conference USA First Team selection as both a defensive back and punt returner. Burnett was also named to the All-C-USA Freshman Team defense as both a defensive back and punt returner as well. Burnett was the only freshman named to the All-C-USA first team offense or defense.
He led C-USA in punt returns and ranks fifth nationally with an average punt return of 16.5 yards. He is second in the league in interceptions and 26th nationally with 0.38 interceptions per game. Burnett picked off five passes in 2005, the second-best total in UCF single-season history. He started 12 of UCF's 13 games in 2005.