James Laurinaitis idolized A.J. Hawk, Chris Spielman and the other great linebackers who played for Ohio State before him.

Now, in at least one area, he has surpassed them.

Laurinaitis became a three-time Associated Press All-American, and Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford and star receiver Michael Crabtree joined him on the first team released yesterday.

Ohio State has a history of great linebackers from Hawk to Spielman and Tom Cousineau to Randy Gradishar. Hawk and Spielman were both two-time AP All-Americans.

"When people throw my name in that group of players, I just laugh," Laurinaitis said. "It's extremely complimentary to be thought of in the same category."

Alabama put more players on the 2008 AP first team than any school, about 1,000 pounds of linemen. Offensive tackle Andre Smith, listed at 330 pounds, was a unanimous first-team choice, and was joined by center Antoine Caldwell. Crimson Tide nose guard Terrence Cody, listed at 365 pounds, anchored the top-ranked defense in the Southeastern Conference.

Bradford beat out Texas' Colt McCoy and Florida's Tim Tebow in All-America voting that broke the same way as the Heisman balloting. McCoy, the Heisman runner-up, was the second-team quarterback. Tebow made the third team, a year after winning the Heisman and being a first-team AP All-American.

SHORT SNAPS

Brady Hoke was hired away from Ball State with a five-year contract worth $3,525,000 to replace Chuck Long yesterday and take over a San Diego State program that hasn't had a winning record or gone to a bowl game in a decade. ... Buffalo coach Turner Gill is staying put for at least another season and won't consider interviewing for any more jobs after receiving a one-year contract extension that runs through 2013, and an undisclosed raise yesterday.