Aqib Talib’s preseason All-America label by Playboy magazine came with a luxurious photo shoot in Arizona, some added publicity and perhaps some extra weight on his shoulders.

But really, it was all hype.

This time, Talib earned it. Kansas University’s junior cornerback was named to the All-America team Thursday by the American Football Coaches Association. He’s the first KU player to be named first-team All-America since kicker Bruce Kallmeyer in 1983.

In all, five Big 12 Conference players were placed on the team. The other four are on offense – Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree, Kansas State wide receiver Jordy Nelson, Missouri tight end Martin Rucker and Oklahoma offensive lineman Duke Robinson.

Talib, a 6-foot-2 standout from Richardson, Texas, has 61 tackles, four interceptions and 13 pass breakups for the 11-1 Jayhawks this season. His four picks included a sensational leaping catch against Florida International that was returned 100 yards for a touchdown on Sept. 22.

In addition, Talib played occasionally on offense at the beginning of the season, catching eight balls for 182 yards and four touchdowns.

Talib joins a short list of Jayhawks who have been named AFCA first-team All-America, including Gale Sayers (1963 and ’64), John Zook (1968), Bobby Douglass (1968), David Jaynes (1973) and Kallmeyer.

¢More honors: Talib also was named first-team All-America by Rivals.com, joining teammate Anthony Collins on the list.

Collins, a 6-foot-6 left tackle, anchored an offensive line which has helped Kansas excel in both run blocking and pass protection. The Jayhawks rank second in the nation in scoring offense.

¢Even more honors: Talib and Collins both were named first-team All-Big 12 by the Associated Press on Thursday, joining several teammates on the list.

Besides those two, defensive tackles James McClinton and linebacker Joe Mortensen were named to the first team. Receiver Marcus Henry, running back Brandon McAnderson and quarterback Todd Reesing were second-team picks.

Six others were honorable-mention selections.

¢Smart ones: KU’s two starting defensive ends were honored for both their braun and their brains.

Russell Brorsen, a junior out of Stillwater, Okla., was named first-team Academic All-America by ESPN The Magazine on Thursday. John Larson, a junior out of Shawnee, was named to the second team.

Brorsen holds a 3.96 grade-point average as a chemistry major. Larson has a 3.69 GPA as an economics major.