WSU’s Hercules Mata’afa named USA Today Freshman All-American

USA Today Freshman All-American Hercules Mata'afa is tied for the WSU lead with six sacks. (AP)

Washington State defensive lineman Hercules Mata’afa was selected as a USA Today Freshman All-American by the publication on Thursday.

The redshirt freshman has 10 tackles-for-loss and is tied for the team lead with six sacks. His sack total also ties him for sixth in the Pac-12, and he ranks 13th in tackles-for-loss.

The 6-foot-2, 246-pound native of Lahaina, Hawaii, has been a big part of a WSU defense that is giving up an average of 28.8 points per game, a significant turnaround from the 38.6 points per game it allowed in 2014.

Mata’afa and the Cougars will close out their season in the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, on Dec. 26 against Miami.