ORONO — Jared Turcotte has become a national commodity.

The Lewiston High School graduate and University of Maine sophomore was named to the preseason All-America team by The Sports Network as the first-team fullback.

Turcotte, a 6-foot-2, 232-pound power runner, is the only Black Bear player named to the three-team squad. He is also the only sophomore to earn preseason All-America credentials by TSN.

The former Fitzpatrick Trophy winner as Maine’s top high school player, Turcotte enjoyed a breakout season last fall, rushing for a team-high 625 yards and seven touchdowns. He also had a team-high 25 receptions.

After used primarily as a blocking back for the first four games of the season, Turcotte gave the rushing game a spark when starting senior tailback Jhamal Fluellen was sidelined with an injury. 

His best game came in Maine’s 41-40 double-overtime victory over Hofstra when he rushed for 169 yards and added another 69 yards through the air. His 25-yard TD reception on the first play of the second overtime and the subsequent extra point gave Maine the win. Earlier in the game, Turcotte raced 71 yards for another touchdown.

He added 121 yards on the ground and three touchdowns in a 37-7 victory over Rhode Island.

Turcotte was twice named conference rookie of the week. His late surge, which helped Maine earn a postseason berth, earned him first-team all-conference honors. Both TSN and College
Sporting News named him to their 2008 All-America squads.

This is the second preseason honor for Turcotte. Earlier, he was named a second-team All-America by Consensus Draft Services.

Maine opens its 2009 season at home Thursday, Sept. 3, against St. Cloud State at 7 p.m. This year’s schedule includes a game against Syracuse on Sept. 26.

Former Lewiston High School standout Jared Turcotte, a sophomore fullback for the University of Maine, was selected as a first-team preseason All-American by The Sports Network.