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.