ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?!!!!

It is that time of the year again, time for the start of college football.  Yes, I know that some games started a couple of weeks ago, and we had a few more last week, but this is the start of most of the conferences that are playing this fall (SEC starts September 26).  And, we have lots and lots of conferences NOT playing.  Since this is what I will consider the start of the college football season, what would the start of college football be without a preseason All-American list? Once again, I am here to give you my preseason All-Americans.  If a conference (or school) is not playing in the fall, or if a player has opted-out, then those players are ineligible to be All-Americans.  And no less than 12 to 15 people are missing from this team because of that.  As usual, there will be more than 11 on each side, to account for the different types of formations (spread, three receiver set, 4-3, 3-4, etc). I explain some of my picks, while others I do not. Why? Because I can.  (Starters in capitals).

Offense

QB - TREVOR LAWRENCE, Clemson; Sam Ehlinger, Texas; D'Eriq King, Miami - Lawrence is a no-brainer, and Ehling has more touchdowns and yards passing than any other current quarterback.  King is the wildcard, but he has amassed a streak of 16 consecutive games with a passing and rushing touchdown, which is an NCAA recod.  How the Houston transfer performs could have a big impact on the ACC this year.

RB - TRAVIS ETIENNE, Clemson; CHUBBA HUBBARD, Oklahoma State; Najee Harris, Alabama; Kenny Gainwell, Memphis - This might be the least heralded running back group in All-American history.  Etienne is dynamic, and Hubbard was the leading rusher in the NCAA last year.  Harris should be ready to jump into the spotlight and Memphis has quietly been churning out skill position players.

WR - DEVONTA SMITH, Alabama; TYLAN WALLACE, Oklahoma State, Tutu Atwell, Louisville - Wallace is a returning member from last year's All-American team.  Smith is absolutely dynamic!

TE - BREVIN JORDAN, Miami; Charlie Kolar, Iowa State - Brevin Jordan is easily the most athletic tight end in the country. 

OL - ALEX LEATHERWOOD, Alabama (T); TREY SMITH, Tennessee (G); CREED HUMPHREY, Oklahoma (C);  DEONTE BROWN, Alabama (G); SAMUEL COSMI, Texas (T); Liam Eichenberg, Notre Dame (T); Aaron Banks, Notre Dame (G): Jarrett Patterson, Notre Dame (C) - This unit is decimated by the teams and individuals that opted-out due to Covid, with Oregon's tackle Penei Sewell possibly going as high as number 2 in the draft.  But, we still have lots of talent on this roster, and Notre Dame's offensive line could be something absolutely special this year.

Defense

DE - CHRIS RUMPH II, Duke; QUINCY ROCHE, Miami; Carlons Basham, Jr., Wake Forest - It's am all-ACC position group.  Roche has the most career sacks of any player in college football this season, and the Temple transfer is hoping to do it at a Power 5 school in Miami (and had 1 sack in Miami's first game Thursday night).

DT - MARVIN WILSON, FSU; DARIUS STILLS, West Virginia; Tyler Davis, Clemson, Jaylen Twyman, Pittsburgh - Wilson, along with Lawrence, Etienne and Hubbard (and a couple more to come) was one of the easiest choices for this whole team.  An easy first rounder probably should have left for the NFL after last season.  Stills is the rare defender from a Big 12 school.  Davis had 10 1/2 tackles for losses last season.

LB - DYLAN MOSES (ILB), Alabama; CHAZZ SURRATT (ILB), North Carolina; JEREMIAH OWUSU-KORAMOAH, (OLB), Notre Dame; JABRIL COX (OLB); LSU, Nick Bolton, Missouri - Dylan Moses was in this exact same spot last year, before a torn ACL took him out for the season.  Surratt is a former quarterback that made the transition to linebacker flawlessly.  Cox is a three time national champion at North Dakota State and might be the best athlete on LSU, which is saying something.

CB - PATRICK SURTAIN, II, Alabama; DEREK STINGLEY, JR., LSU; Asante Samuel, Jr., FSU - Player for player, this might be the best position on the team.  Stingley continues LSU's run as DBU.

S - RICHARD LECOUNTE, III, Georgia; ANDRE CISCO; Syracuse; Trevon Moehrig, TCU - Cisco, who bounces back-and-forth between corner and safety, and can make plays all over the field.

Special Teams

K - GABE BRKIC, Oklahoma - Brkic did not miss a kick last year, going 52-52 on exta points, and 17-17 on field goals, including the game-winner in the last regular season game against Baylor, and 3 in the Big XII championship game.

P - MAX DUFFY, Kentucky - The returning Ray Guy winner as the best collegiate punter, his stats last season were astounding; 48.1 yard average; 24 downed inside the 20 yard line; only 11 punts retuned (95 yards - but 42 of those came on one return on a punt fielded by UT-Martin at the 3 yard line.

RETURNER - JAYLEN WADDLE, Alabama; Joshua Youngblood, Kansas State - Waddle had 3 return touchdowns last year, but specializes in punt returns.  Youngblood returned 3 kicks for touchdowns last year - out of 13 returns.

Are You Ready For Some Football?!!!

It is that time of the year again, time for the start of college football.  And this time, WE START A WEEK EARLY!  Yes, a week 0 matchup between the Miami Hurricanes and Florida Gators live from the football mecca that is - Camping World Stadium?  Well, I should be there with tons of my peeps, but not going to be able to make it this year.  Still will not put a damper on the start of my season.  What would the start of college football be without a preseason All-American list? Once again, I am here to give you my preseason All-Americans. As usual, there will be more than 11 on each side, to account for the different types of formations (spread, three receiver set, 4-3, 3-4, etc). I explain some of my picks, while others I do not. Why? Because I can.  (Starters in capitals).

Offense

QB - TREVOR LAWRENCE, Clemson; Tua Tagavailoa, Alabama; Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma - This is mostly easy when the two of the three best quarterbacks from last year return to college.  Hurts makes it as the last two Heisman Trophy winners have been Oklahoma quarterbacks that transferred from elsewhere, plus, he has won a title already.  The highest rated pro-quarterback, Justin Herbert, doesn't make the cut.

RB - JONATHAN TAYLOR, Wisconsin; D'ANDRE SWIFT, Georgia; Travis Etienne, Clemson; A.J. Dillon, Boston College; Zack Moss, Utah - Taylor - with Lawrence - might be the Heisman favorite heading into the season.  It is Swift's turn to run behind the behemoths at Georgia.  Most pundits have Etienne as first team.  If you have not seen Dillon or Moss run - DO IT.

WR - JERRY JEUDY, Alabama; LAVISKA SHENAULT, JR., Colorado; Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State, Alabama; Justyn Ross, Clemson; CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma - Jeudy is the reigning Biletnikoff award winner, and Shenault is right there with him in terms of talent.  So much speed at this position.  So much speed.

TE - ALBERT OGWUEGBUNAM, Missouri; Jared Pickney, Vanderbilt - These two will prove invaluable to their respective quarterbacks in the defensive-speed-laden SEC. 

OL - ANDREW THOMSAS, Georgia (T); WALKER LITTLE, Stanford (T); SHANE LEMIUEX, Oregon (G);  SOLOMON KINDLEY, Georgia (G); TYLER BIADASZ, Wisconson; Mekhi Becton, Louisville (T); Ben Bredesen, Michigan (G): Nick Harris, Washington (C) - Two Georgia stalwarts start for this line which is sure to open huge holes for the running backs as well as keep the QBs protected.  Thomas might be the best player in college football.

Defense

DE - A.J. EPENESA, Iowa; CHASE YOUNG, Ohio State; Raekwon Davis, Alabama; Jonathan Garvin, Miami - Both starters had 10 1/2 sacks last year. The Chef returns after recording 24 solo tackles from the defensive line last year, and Garvin is poised for a monster breakout season - I predict double digit sacks.

DT - DERRICK BROWN, Auburn; KENNY WILLEKES, Michigan State; Leki Fotu, Utah - Brown can be as dominant as his position as anyone can be at theirs in college.  Fotu is 6'5 335 lbs, and is immovable.

LB - DYLAN MOSES, Alabama; PADDY FISHER, Northwestern; ISAIAH SIMMONS, Clemson; K'Lavon Chiasson, LSU; Shaquille Quarterman, Miami - This quintet will likely total about 14,000 tackles this year.

CB - C.J. Henderson, Florida; BRYCE HALL, Virginia; Andre Cisco, Syracuse - With the injuries at the other corner in Florida, Henderson may not even be tested all year.  Cisco finished last season with 10 interceptions, including 3 in the last 4 games.  Hall can cover AND tackle.

S - GRANT DELPIT, Louisiana State; XAVIER MCKINNEY, Alabama; Alohi Gilman, Notre Dame - Delpit continues LSU's run DBU (despite UF's protestations)  McKinney steps into a long-list of talented Alabama safeties.

Special Teams

K - ANDRE SZMYT, Syracuse; Rodrigo Blankenship, Georgia - Szmyt, despite needing to buy a vowel, is the reigning Groza award winner, and could become only the second two time winner behind Sebastian Janikowski.  Blankenship is added because he is good, and looks funny kicking in the glasses.

P - BRADEN MANN, Texas A & M - The returning Ray Guy award winner is the best punter in the country.

RETURNER - ISAIAH WRIGHT, Temple; Rondale Moore, Purdue - Wright returned 5 kicks for touchdowns in his career.  Moore can do everything, as highlighted by his 252 total yards in Purdue's upset of Ohio State last year.