It is that time of the year again, time for the start of college football. We have already had a fascinating start to the season with 6 ranked teams losing (and a record-breaking 7th to fall tonight, as FSU and Ole Miss - two ranked teams - faceoff in Orlando). 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 - DESHAUN WATSON, Clemson; Pat Mahomes, Texas Tech; Greg Ward, Jr., Houston - Watson is one of the easiest selections on this list. Mahomes might be the biggest and strongest quarterback that Kliff Kingsbury has ever had at Texas Tech and Greg Ward, Jr. is the best quarterback nobody (except Florida State) has heard of.
RB - LEONARD FOURNETTE, LSU; CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY, Stanford; Dalvin Cook, Florida State; Nick Chubb, Georgia; Samaje Perine, Oklahoma - The returning talent of this group is absolutely astounding. Any of these five could be the load-carrying feature on this all-star team. I start McCaffrey because he blocks, and catches better than Cook.
WR - JUJU SMITH-SCHUSTER, USC; MIKE WILLIAMS, Clemson; Christian Kirk, Texas A & M; Calvin Ridley, Alabama; Corey Davis, Western Michigan - Nowhere near the names of the other positions (especially running back), but this is an exciting group of receivers. Kirk is a threat to score every single time he touches the football.
TE - O.J. HOWARD, Alabama; Jake Butt, Michigan - Howard makes his third straight appearance on this list. Although Butt will likely have better stats because of the overall talent of the skill positions at Alabama, Howard is a beast.
OL - CAM ROBINSON, Alabama (T); RODERICK JOHNSON, FSU (T); PAT ELFLEIN, Ohio State (C); DAN FEENEY, Indiana (G); DORIAN JOHNSON, Pittsburgh (G); Zach Banner, USC; Conor McDermott, USC; Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame - Elflein returns from last year's All-American team, and Feeney is one reason why Jordan Howard was such an effective runner at Indiana last year. Robinson and Johnson are the prototypical college star tackles.
Defense
DE - MYLES GARRETT, Texas A & M; JONATHAN ALLEN, Alabama; Charles Harris, Missouri - Between Garrett and Allen, we could see 50+ tackles for loss this year. Harris completes the SEC trifecta on the outside of the line.
DT - MALIK MCDOWELL, Michigan State; CARLOS WATKINS, Clemson; Lowell Lotulelei, Utah - Not just big space eaters, McDowell and Watkins both make plays from the interior of the defense.
LB - RAEKWON MCMILLAN, Ohio State, REUBEN FOSTER, Alabama; DEVONTE FIELDS, Louisville; Anthoney Walker, Northwestern; Jabrill Peppers, Michigan; Tim Williams, Alabama - With McMillan on the field, you better diversify your plays, bitches. Foster is a tackling machine, and Fields is the type of playmaker that has moved Louisville into the upper echelon of college football programs.
CB - DESMOND KING, Iowa; JOURDAN LEWIS, Michigan; Jalen Tabor, Florida - Desmond King won the Jim Thorpe award as the nation's best defensive back last year, with 8 interceptions. Lewis had 20 passes defensed. Tabor is the second consecutive Jalen to make this list.
S - DERWIN JAMES, Florida State; BUDDA BAKER, Washington; Jamal Adams, LSU - JAMES is the heir apparent to Jaylen Ramsey, while Baker returns after a phenomenal year last year for the Huskies.
Special Teams
K - ANDY PHILLIPS, Utah - Phillips was on the team last year (behind Aguayo) for no reason that I just thought we should have three kickers on the team (kickers means kickers and punters).
P - JK SCOTT, Alabama - A booming punter who grew 1 1/2 inches this offseason.
KR/PR - EVAN BERRY, Tennessee - Berry led the nation in kickoff return average last year, beating second place by almost 5 whole yards per return. No backups needed because the two Christians can also return very well (McCaffrey and Kirk - not a religious reference).
Showing posts with label Pepster All Americans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pepster All Americans. Show all posts
Monday, September 5, 2016
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Are You Ready for Some Football?!!
It is that time of the year again, time for the start of college football. 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 a 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 - DAK PRESCOTT, Mississippi State; Trevone Boykin, TCU; Connor Cook, Michigan State - Prescott is the best returning quarterback for the college game. Boykin is going to put up video game like numbers. Cook, only because we do not know who is going to take the most snaps at Ohio State.
RB - NICK CHUBB, Georgia; EZEKIAL ELLIOTT, Ohio State; James Conner, Pittsburgh; Leonard Furnette, LSU; Samaje Perine, Oklahoma- All five of last year's pre-season All-American running backs.were drafted, and fairly high. This year's group put up great numbers last year. Can the keep it moving forward?
WR - TYLER BOYD, Pittsburgh; LAQUON TREADWELL, Mississippi; Rashard Higgins, Colorado State; D'haquille Williams, Auburn; Pharoah Cooper, South Carolina - Higgins is the country's leading returning receiver and Boyd already has two 1,000+ yard seasons to his credit (the only wide receiver in Pittsburgh history besides Larry Fitzgerald).
TE - HUNTER HENRY, Arkansas; O.J. Howard, Alabama; Evan Engram, Mississippi - Despite playing on a team that throws four times a game, Henry led all SEC tight ends in receptions. Howard makes a repeat appearance on this list.
OL - SPENCER DRANGO, Baylor (T); LAREMY TUNSIL, Mississippi (T); PAT ELFLEIN, Ohio State (G); LANDON TURNER, North Carolina (G); JACK ALLEN, Michigan State (C); Ronnie Staley, Notre Dame (T); Greg Pyke, Georgia (G), Iowa; Max Tuerk, USC (C) - An entire new crop of lineman for this year's list. Tunsil and Elflein could be potential stars.
Defense
DE - JOEY BOSA, Ohio State; MYLES GARRETT, Texas A and M; Shilique Calhoun, Michigan State - Bosa might have been the best PLAYER in college football at the end of last year. Calhoun is making his second appearance on this list.
DT - ROBERT NKEMDICHE, Mississippi; A'SHAWN ROBINSON, Auburn; Adolphus Washington, Ohio State; Chris Jones, Mississippi State - Nkemdiche makes his second consecutive appearance on this list, after being selected a backup at end last year..
LB - SCOOBY WRIGHT, Arizona, MYLES JACK, UCLA; ERIC STRIKER, Oklahoma; Darron Lee, Ohio State; Leonard Floyd, Georgia; Cassanova McKinzy, Auburn - Jack is a do-everything player for the Bruins, and he is making a repeat appearance on this list as is Striker. Nobody with the exception of Bosa was playing better than Scooby at the end of last season. And of course, "I ain't much on Cassanova. Me an Romeo ain't never been friends".
CB - VERNON HARGREAVES, III, Florida; KENDALL FULLER, Virginia Tech; Jalen Ramsey, Florida State; Both starters return from last year's list. Fuller has a chance to be GREAT, and if Hargreaves ever becomes as good as Hargreaves thinks he is, look out!
S - JEREMY CASH, Duke; TONY CONNOR, Mississippi; Jalen Mills, LSU; Vonn Bell, Ohio State; Quin Blanding, Virginia - Lots of potential in this secondary. Bell gives the Buckeyes a player at each level of this defense.
Special Teams
K - ROBERTO AGUAYO, Florida State; Andy Phililips, Utah - Nobody else is even close to Aguayo. I just added Phillips so that I could have both Utah kickers on the team.
P - TOM HACKETT, Utah; JK Scott, Alabama - Again, nobody is even really close to Hackett, who won the Ray Guy award as last year's best punter. I selected Scott in case we need him to direct the orchestra, Whiplash style.
KR/PR - ALEX ROSS, Oklahoma; De'Mornay Pierson-El, Nebraska - Ross averaged almost 28 yards a kick return last year. Plus, on this roster, he is hoping that Pierson-El does not pull a Single White Female.
Offense
QB - DAK PRESCOTT, Mississippi State; Trevone Boykin, TCU; Connor Cook, Michigan State - Prescott is the best returning quarterback for the college game. Boykin is going to put up video game like numbers. Cook, only because we do not know who is going to take the most snaps at Ohio State.
RB - NICK CHUBB, Georgia; EZEKIAL ELLIOTT, Ohio State; James Conner, Pittsburgh; Leonard Furnette, LSU; Samaje Perine, Oklahoma- All five of last year's pre-season All-American running backs.were drafted, and fairly high. This year's group put up great numbers last year. Can the keep it moving forward?
WR - TYLER BOYD, Pittsburgh; LAQUON TREADWELL, Mississippi; Rashard Higgins, Colorado State; D'haquille Williams, Auburn; Pharoah Cooper, South Carolina - Higgins is the country's leading returning receiver and Boyd already has two 1,000+ yard seasons to his credit (the only wide receiver in Pittsburgh history besides Larry Fitzgerald).
TE - HUNTER HENRY, Arkansas; O.J. Howard, Alabama; Evan Engram, Mississippi - Despite playing on a team that throws four times a game, Henry led all SEC tight ends in receptions. Howard makes a repeat appearance on this list.
OL - SPENCER DRANGO, Baylor (T); LAREMY TUNSIL, Mississippi (T); PAT ELFLEIN, Ohio State (G); LANDON TURNER, North Carolina (G); JACK ALLEN, Michigan State (C); Ronnie Staley, Notre Dame (T); Greg Pyke, Georgia (G), Iowa; Max Tuerk, USC (C) - An entire new crop of lineman for this year's list. Tunsil and Elflein could be potential stars.
Defense
DE - JOEY BOSA, Ohio State; MYLES GARRETT, Texas A and M; Shilique Calhoun, Michigan State - Bosa might have been the best PLAYER in college football at the end of last year. Calhoun is making his second appearance on this list.
DT - ROBERT NKEMDICHE, Mississippi; A'SHAWN ROBINSON, Auburn; Adolphus Washington, Ohio State; Chris Jones, Mississippi State - Nkemdiche makes his second consecutive appearance on this list, after being selected a backup at end last year..
LB - SCOOBY WRIGHT, Arizona, MYLES JACK, UCLA; ERIC STRIKER, Oklahoma; Darron Lee, Ohio State; Leonard Floyd, Georgia; Cassanova McKinzy, Auburn - Jack is a do-everything player for the Bruins, and he is making a repeat appearance on this list as is Striker. Nobody with the exception of Bosa was playing better than Scooby at the end of last season. And of course, "I ain't much on Cassanova. Me an Romeo ain't never been friends".
CB - VERNON HARGREAVES, III, Florida; KENDALL FULLER, Virginia Tech; Jalen Ramsey, Florida State; Both starters return from last year's list. Fuller has a chance to be GREAT, and if Hargreaves ever becomes as good as Hargreaves thinks he is, look out!
S - JEREMY CASH, Duke; TONY CONNOR, Mississippi; Jalen Mills, LSU; Vonn Bell, Ohio State; Quin Blanding, Virginia - Lots of potential in this secondary. Bell gives the Buckeyes a player at each level of this defense.
Special Teams
K - ROBERTO AGUAYO, Florida State; Andy Phililips, Utah - Nobody else is even close to Aguayo. I just added Phillips so that I could have both Utah kickers on the team.
P - TOM HACKETT, Utah; JK Scott, Alabama - Again, nobody is even really close to Hackett, who won the Ray Guy award as last year's best punter. I selected Scott in case we need him to direct the orchestra, Whiplash style.
KR/PR - ALEX ROSS, Oklahoma; De'Mornay Pierson-El, Nebraska - Ross averaged almost 28 yards a kick return last year. Plus, on this roster, he is hoping that Pierson-El does not pull a Single White Female.
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Ready for Some Football
It is that time of the year again, time for the start of college football. Well, OK, we are two weeks in, but still, we are basically at the beginning. 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 a 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 - MARCUS MARIOTA, Oregon; Jameis Winston, Florida State; Brett Hundley, UCLA - I was right leaving Johnny Manziell off last year's pre-season list despite coming off a Heisman trophy campaign, and I will ultimately be right for not having Winston starting this year. Mariota runs the most dangerous offense in the NCCA, sorry Bryce Petty. Hundley's UCLA could sneak into the playoff at the end of the season.
RB - TODD GURLEY, Georgia; MELVIN GORDON, Wisconsin; Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska; Duke Johnson, Miami - Possibly the easiest position to select multiple starters. Gurley and Gordon are the best in the county hands down. Abdullah showed last week just how he can affect, and turn around, a game. Duke Johnson might be the most exciting player in the country, as he is a threat every time he touches the ball - running, receiving and returning.
WR - AMARI COOPER, Alabama; ANTWAN GOODLEY, Baylor; Tyler Lockett, Kansas State; Rashad Greene, Florida State; Stefon Diggs, Maryland - Cooper is a no-brainer, and Goodley could end with close to a million yards receiving this year. Lockett and Greene are selected over Nelson Agholor of USC because of Lockett's experience being the primary, and only, weapon and Greene's numbers should skyrocket with the loss of all of Florida State's weapons to the NFL. Diggs makes the team for his return capabilities.
TE - NICK O'LEARY, Florida State; O.J. Howard, Alabama - Probably the weakest spot on the team with Eric Ebron, Jace Amaro and Austin Sefarian-Jenkins all going to the NFL, but these two are the best of the lot, and are solid all-around tight ends.
OL - CEDRICK OGBEHI, Texas A and M (T); ANDRUS PEAT, Stanford (T); A.J. CANN, South Carolina (G); TREY JACKSON, Florida State (G); HRONISS GRASU, Oregon (C); Reese Dismukes, Auburn; Brandon Scherff, Iowa - Ogbehi is the latest in a long line of Aggie Tackles, See Matthews, Jake; Joeckel, Luke. Peat makes it because he exhibits the prototypical Stanford toughness that we have come to expect. Grasu might be the hardest name to spell in this list.
Defense
DE - VIC BEASLEY, Clemson; SHILIQUE CALHOUN, Michigan State; Leonard Williams, USC; Robert Nkemdiche, Mississippi - Beasley is one of the easiest selections to this list, while Calhoun leads a particularly tough Spartan defense. Williams and Nkemdiche are both sophomores.
DT - MICHAEL BENNETT, Ohio State; CARL DAVIS, Iowa; Dante Fowler, Jr. Florida - Fowler is not a prototypical tackle, but Will Muschamp likes to line him up there for the speed advantage over interior lineman.
LB - RAMIK WILSON, Georgia; A.J. JOHNSON, Tennessee; DENZEL PERRYMAN, Miami; Myles Jack, UCLA; Eric Striker, Oklahoma; Trey DePriest, Alabama - Wilson led the SEC with 133 tackles (second place had 113), and is likely the leader of the best line backing corps in the country. Jonson and Perryman led their teams with tackles last year, with Johnson having 324 in his career. Jack might be the best two-way player in the country and DePriest is here because every team needs an Alabama linebacker.
CB - IFO EKPE-OLOMU, Oregon; VERNON HARGREAVES, III, Florida; Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech; P.J. Williams, Florida State - Ekpe-Olomu was an easy pick, and Hargreaves not far behind him. Lots of interceptions would come from this backfield, if they could take the field together.
S - LANDON COLLINS, Alabama; CODY PREWITT, Mississippi; Derron Smith, Fresno State; Kurtis Drummond, Michigan State - The tight ends of the defense, in that this is probably the weakness of the team, and if that is the case, your team is pretty darned good.
Special Teams
K - ROBERTO AGUAYO, Florida State - Nobody else is even close.
P - DREW KASER, Texas A and M - Again, nobody is even really close.
KR/PR - RYAN SWITZER, North Carolina; TY MONTGOMERY, Stanford - With these two guys, along with Duke Johnson and Stefon Diggs on the roster, this team will be scary in the return game.
Offense
QB - MARCUS MARIOTA, Oregon; Jameis Winston, Florida State; Brett Hundley, UCLA - I was right leaving Johnny Manziell off last year's pre-season list despite coming off a Heisman trophy campaign, and I will ultimately be right for not having Winston starting this year. Mariota runs the most dangerous offense in the NCCA, sorry Bryce Petty. Hundley's UCLA could sneak into the playoff at the end of the season.
RB - TODD GURLEY, Georgia; MELVIN GORDON, Wisconsin; Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska; Duke Johnson, Miami - Possibly the easiest position to select multiple starters. Gurley and Gordon are the best in the county hands down. Abdullah showed last week just how he can affect, and turn around, a game. Duke Johnson might be the most exciting player in the country, as he is a threat every time he touches the ball - running, receiving and returning.
WR - AMARI COOPER, Alabama; ANTWAN GOODLEY, Baylor; Tyler Lockett, Kansas State; Rashad Greene, Florida State; Stefon Diggs, Maryland - Cooper is a no-brainer, and Goodley could end with close to a million yards receiving this year. Lockett and Greene are selected over Nelson Agholor of USC because of Lockett's experience being the primary, and only, weapon and Greene's numbers should skyrocket with the loss of all of Florida State's weapons to the NFL. Diggs makes the team for his return capabilities.
TE - NICK O'LEARY, Florida State; O.J. Howard, Alabama - Probably the weakest spot on the team with Eric Ebron, Jace Amaro and Austin Sefarian-Jenkins all going to the NFL, but these two are the best of the lot, and are solid all-around tight ends.
OL - CEDRICK OGBEHI, Texas A and M (T); ANDRUS PEAT, Stanford (T); A.J. CANN, South Carolina (G); TREY JACKSON, Florida State (G); HRONISS GRASU, Oregon (C); Reese Dismukes, Auburn; Brandon Scherff, Iowa - Ogbehi is the latest in a long line of Aggie Tackles, See Matthews, Jake; Joeckel, Luke. Peat makes it because he exhibits the prototypical Stanford toughness that we have come to expect. Grasu might be the hardest name to spell in this list.
Defense
DE - VIC BEASLEY, Clemson; SHILIQUE CALHOUN, Michigan State; Leonard Williams, USC; Robert Nkemdiche, Mississippi - Beasley is one of the easiest selections to this list, while Calhoun leads a particularly tough Spartan defense. Williams and Nkemdiche are both sophomores.
DT - MICHAEL BENNETT, Ohio State; CARL DAVIS, Iowa; Dante Fowler, Jr. Florida - Fowler is not a prototypical tackle, but Will Muschamp likes to line him up there for the speed advantage over interior lineman.
LB - RAMIK WILSON, Georgia; A.J. JOHNSON, Tennessee; DENZEL PERRYMAN, Miami; Myles Jack, UCLA; Eric Striker, Oklahoma; Trey DePriest, Alabama - Wilson led the SEC with 133 tackles (second place had 113), and is likely the leader of the best line backing corps in the country. Jonson and Perryman led their teams with tackles last year, with Johnson having 324 in his career. Jack might be the best two-way player in the country and DePriest is here because every team needs an Alabama linebacker.
CB - IFO EKPE-OLOMU, Oregon; VERNON HARGREAVES, III, Florida; Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech; P.J. Williams, Florida State - Ekpe-Olomu was an easy pick, and Hargreaves not far behind him. Lots of interceptions would come from this backfield, if they could take the field together.
S - LANDON COLLINS, Alabama; CODY PREWITT, Mississippi; Derron Smith, Fresno State; Kurtis Drummond, Michigan State - The tight ends of the defense, in that this is probably the weakness of the team, and if that is the case, your team is pretty darned good.
Special Teams
K - ROBERTO AGUAYO, Florida State - Nobody else is even close.
P - DREW KASER, Texas A and M - Again, nobody is even really close.
KR/PR - RYAN SWITZER, North Carolina; TY MONTGOMERY, Stanford - With these two guys, along with Duke Johnson and Stefon Diggs on the roster, this team will be scary in the return game.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Ready for Some Football
It is that time of the year again, time for the start of college football. 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 a 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 - AARON MURRAY, Georgia; Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville; Tajh Boyd, Clemson - I know that the topic is not who is included, but it is now who was left off - that is right, no Johnny Manziell - and it has nothing to do with all of the problems of the offseason. Murray is about ready to rewrite the entire SEC passing record book, Bridgewater is the most accurate quarterback in football and Boyd is every bit the dual threat Manziell is. In fact, I could think of three or four more to place here before I get to Manziell.
RB - D'ANTHONY THOMAS, Oregon; LACHE SEASTRUNK, Baylor; Ka'Deem Carey, Arizona; Todd Gurley, Georgia - Other than Clowney, this might be the most talented group on the board. Thomas or Carey could single handedly win the Pac-10 (or whatever number they are using nowadays). With all due respect to T.J. Yeldon, Gurley is the best RB in the SEC. Seastrunk might be the most dynamic player in the country. Is that Ka'Deem? Nah, that ain't Ka'Deem!
WR - MARQUISE LEE, USC; SAMMY WATKINS, Clemson; Amari Cooper, Alabama; Stefon Diggs, Maryland - The first three are self-explanatory, or at least they should be. Easiest starters to pick other than Clowney and Santos, especially for my brother Marquise. I had to put Diggs somewhere, and since I did not select Duke Johnson as a RB, he has to be my special teams returner.
TE - AUSTIN SEFERIAN-JENKINS, Washington; Eric Ebron, Jr., North Carolina - The weakest spot in the team, but Seferian-Jenkins already has over 100 career catches.
OL - JAKE MATTHEWS, Texas A and M; DAVID YANKEY, Stanford; GABE IKARD, Oklahoma; CYRIL RICHARDSON, Baylor; TAYLOR LEWAN, Michigan; Cyrus Kuandijo, Alabama - Matthews will need to step into Luke Joeckel's shoes. All 6 of these lineman are important cogs to their teams success this year.
Defense
DE - JADEVEON CLOWNEY, South Carolina; DEVONTE FIELDS, TCU; Stephen Tuitt, Notre Dame - With Clowney heading this group, no justification is really necessary. I look for Fields to take a huge leap this year. Tuitt had 12 sacks last year.
DT - WILL SUTTON, Arizona State; LOUIS NIX, Notre Dame; Tim Jernigan, Florida State; Dominque Easley, Florida - Sutton is the best collegiate DT since Ndamulkong Suh, and he can single-handedly stop a run game while also provide a bit of a pass rush up the middle. Easley might be the stretch here, but I look for him to be up to the challenge of the tough SEC trenches.
LB - C.J. MOSLEY, Alabama; ANTHONY BARR, UCLA; KYLE VAN NOY, BYU; Ryan Shazier, Ohio State; Chris Borland, Wisconsin; Denzel Nkemdiche, Mississippi - Mosley and Barr are no brainers, while Van Noy has 45 tackles for loss in his career. Shazier and Borland will rack up lots of tackles in the run happy Big 10. I include Nkemdiche because a couple of years ago I mentioned, but did not include, a young Jon Bostic. Nkemdiche has all kinds of talent and athleticism.
CB - BRADLEY ROBY, Ohio State; IFO EKPRE-OLOMU, JR., Oregon; Jason Verett, TCU; Louchiez Purifoy, Florida - Roby might not make a tackle or interception this year, teams are that scared of him. Ekpre-Olomu has the best name on the team. Purifoy might play both ways this year.
S - ED REYNOLDS, Stanford; HA HA CLINTON-DIX, Alabama; Craig Loston, LSU; Lamarcus Joyner, FSU - Ed Reynolds is a returning Thorpe Award finalist, and there is nothing funny about the way Clinton-Dix plays with his 5 interceptions last year. Joyner can play either corner or safety.
Special Teams
K - CAIRO SANTOS, Tulane - Nobody else is even close. Second easiest choice in this list.
P - KYLE CHRISTY, Florida - He was the best punter last year; he should continue to be the best punter this year.
KR/PR - DUKE JOHNSON, Miami; Dri Archer, Kent State; - Duke Johnson does it all, including starting running back this year. He is likely going to be the best player on the field in every game he plays this year. Scored touchdowns rushing, receiving and returning last year. Diggs and Thomas could also have been used here, but they are listed at WR and RB already.
Offense
QB - AARON MURRAY, Georgia; Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville; Tajh Boyd, Clemson - I know that the topic is not who is included, but it is now who was left off - that is right, no Johnny Manziell - and it has nothing to do with all of the problems of the offseason. Murray is about ready to rewrite the entire SEC passing record book, Bridgewater is the most accurate quarterback in football and Boyd is every bit the dual threat Manziell is. In fact, I could think of three or four more to place here before I get to Manziell.
RB - D'ANTHONY THOMAS, Oregon; LACHE SEASTRUNK, Baylor; Ka'Deem Carey, Arizona; Todd Gurley, Georgia - Other than Clowney, this might be the most talented group on the board. Thomas or Carey could single handedly win the Pac-10 (or whatever number they are using nowadays). With all due respect to T.J. Yeldon, Gurley is the best RB in the SEC. Seastrunk might be the most dynamic player in the country. Is that Ka'Deem? Nah, that ain't Ka'Deem!
WR - MARQUISE LEE, USC; SAMMY WATKINS, Clemson; Amari Cooper, Alabama; Stefon Diggs, Maryland - The first three are self-explanatory, or at least they should be. Easiest starters to pick other than Clowney and Santos, especially for my brother Marquise. I had to put Diggs somewhere, and since I did not select Duke Johnson as a RB, he has to be my special teams returner.
TE - AUSTIN SEFERIAN-JENKINS, Washington; Eric Ebron, Jr., North Carolina - The weakest spot in the team, but Seferian-Jenkins already has over 100 career catches.
OL - JAKE MATTHEWS, Texas A and M; DAVID YANKEY, Stanford; GABE IKARD, Oklahoma; CYRIL RICHARDSON, Baylor; TAYLOR LEWAN, Michigan; Cyrus Kuandijo, Alabama - Matthews will need to step into Luke Joeckel's shoes. All 6 of these lineman are important cogs to their teams success this year.
Defense
DE - JADEVEON CLOWNEY, South Carolina; DEVONTE FIELDS, TCU; Stephen Tuitt, Notre Dame - With Clowney heading this group, no justification is really necessary. I look for Fields to take a huge leap this year. Tuitt had 12 sacks last year.
DT - WILL SUTTON, Arizona State; LOUIS NIX, Notre Dame; Tim Jernigan, Florida State; Dominque Easley, Florida - Sutton is the best collegiate DT since Ndamulkong Suh, and he can single-handedly stop a run game while also provide a bit of a pass rush up the middle. Easley might be the stretch here, but I look for him to be up to the challenge of the tough SEC trenches.
LB - C.J. MOSLEY, Alabama; ANTHONY BARR, UCLA; KYLE VAN NOY, BYU; Ryan Shazier, Ohio State; Chris Borland, Wisconsin; Denzel Nkemdiche, Mississippi - Mosley and Barr are no brainers, while Van Noy has 45 tackles for loss in his career. Shazier and Borland will rack up lots of tackles in the run happy Big 10. I include Nkemdiche because a couple of years ago I mentioned, but did not include, a young Jon Bostic. Nkemdiche has all kinds of talent and athleticism.
CB - BRADLEY ROBY, Ohio State; IFO EKPRE-OLOMU, JR., Oregon; Jason Verett, TCU; Louchiez Purifoy, Florida - Roby might not make a tackle or interception this year, teams are that scared of him. Ekpre-Olomu has the best name on the team. Purifoy might play both ways this year.
S - ED REYNOLDS, Stanford; HA HA CLINTON-DIX, Alabama; Craig Loston, LSU; Lamarcus Joyner, FSU - Ed Reynolds is a returning Thorpe Award finalist, and there is nothing funny about the way Clinton-Dix plays with his 5 interceptions last year. Joyner can play either corner or safety.
Special Teams
K - CAIRO SANTOS, Tulane - Nobody else is even close. Second easiest choice in this list.
P - KYLE CHRISTY, Florida - He was the best punter last year; he should continue to be the best punter this year.
KR/PR - DUKE JOHNSON, Miami; Dri Archer, Kent State; - Duke Johnson does it all, including starting running back this year. He is likely going to be the best player on the field in every game he plays this year. Scored touchdowns rushing, receiving and returning last year. Diggs and Thomas could also have been used here, but they are listed at WR and RB already.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Everybody's All-American
As college football has concluded its 2012 campaign and we are 1 step closer to a playoff to decide the national champion, this seems as if it is the right time to name the Pepster All-Americans. This is my reflection of the best players from college, and by no means is meant to indicate who will be high draft picks, or as my prognostication as to which players will become good or great professionals. It is simply who I thought played the best last year. Although there are more than 11 offensive and defensive players listed, the team is selected to account for the various offenses and defenses used around the country (trip receivers, spread, 3-4, 4-3, etc.). I also choose some backups to account for different styles of players. I chose to explain my picks in some instances, and not in others. Why? Because I feel like it. Now here are the Pepster 2012 All-Americans.
Offense
QB - Johnny Manzell, Texas A & M; Jordan Lynch, Northern Illinois; Geno Smith, West Virginia- Manzell needs no explanation. Lynch set the record for most rushing yards by a quarterback and Smith put up ludicrous numbers - which he had to do because his defense was ludicrously awful!
RB - Kenjon Barner, Oregon; Montee Ball, Wisconsin, Stefphon Jefferson, Nevada - If you are asking why Barner and Ball, then you are not a true college football fan. Stefphon Jefferson because he was second in yards, second in touchdowns scored and first in "he spells his name, How?" Duke Johnson will be on this list next year - Guaranteed!
WR - Marquise Lee, USC; Stedman Bailey, West Virginia; DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson; Terrance Williams, Baylor - Lee had 118 receptions for 1721 yards; Bailey had 114 receptions for 1622 yards and 25 TDS!!!! Hopkins had only 82 catches for 1405 yards, but 18 TDs, while Williams had an astounding 1832 yards - on 97 catches - after losing Robert Griffin III.
TE - Zach Ertz, Stanford - and since nobody uses TEs anymore, no Tyler Eifort.
T - Luke Joeckel, Texas A & M; Cyrus Kuandijo, Alabama; D.J. Fluker, Alabama. Joeckel is by far the best offensive lineman in the country, and well, did you see Alabama's running game?
G - Chance Warmack, Alabama; Cyril Richardson, Baylor - Once again - Alabama's offensive line and as for Richardson, just watch the Kansas State tape, with Lache Seastrunk constantly running up the middle.
C - Barret Jones, Alabama - Seriously, they were that good.
Defense
DE - Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina; Damontre Moore, Texas A & M; Bjoern Werner, FSU - Clowney - just for the bowl game hit. Yes THE Bowl Game HIT! Moore because A & M played a lot more than just offense. Werner is most people's starter, but I thought he just took too many plays off.
DT - Star Lotulelei, Utah; Sharif Floyd - Lotulelei might have been the best player of which you have never heard. Floyd was a beast that anchored a darn good Florida Gator defense this year (and to appease the Gator fans before they see that I did not include Matt Elam on my team).
OLB - Jarvis Jones, Georgia; Khaseem Greene, Rutgers; C.J. Mosley, Alabama - Jones needs no explanation - but he did lead the country in sacks, and the only reason Greene needs an explanation is because nobody watches Rutgers. Mosley is phenomenal, and to be honest, the only reason I have Greene ahead of him is that I really like watching Greene play.
ILB - Manti Te'o, Notre Dame; Arthur Brown - Kansas State - Te'o received most of the acclaim and all of the apostrophes, but Arthur Brown can flat play defense as well.
CB - Dee Milliner, Alabama; Johnthan Banks, Mississippi State; Jordan Poyer, Oregon State - Milliner was my MVP of the BCS Championship game, and Banks allowed Mississippi State to play an extra safety in the box against all of the tough SEC offenses. Poyer had 7 interceptions.
S - Phillip Thomas, Fresno State; Ed Reynolds, Stanford; Eric Reid, LSU - Thomas led the country with 8 interceptions, while Ed Reynolds anchored a tough, tough Cardinal defense. Eric Reid is included because the LSU defense was way too good to not have someone on the team, and I personally found Barkevious Mingo incredibly disappointing - and I can give lots of examples, if you prefer.
Now for my Matt Elam aside. I attended 3 Florida games and watched at least a portion of every other game. While Elam is a talent, (he was a consensus All-American for everyone else and is the highest rated safety in the draft - to date), he often runs himself out of plays, is often out-of-position, over pursues way too much, is way too eager to make the big hit/play rather than make a tackle and takes stupid - and I mean STUPID - penalties, often personal fouls. I personally saw that in the LSU game there were times where Elam was on the bench in the second half for several plays - and not for an injury or equipment reasons either. In fact, his signature play, running the receiver down and causing the fumble in the LSU game, only happened because he bit horribly on the play-action fake and was WAY out of position. I will give him credit for not giving up on the play, though.
Special Teams
K - Cairo Santos, Tulane - 47 - 48 on the year, and that miss was on an extra point. Plus, my Palm Beach County brethren, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, felt he was the best kicker in awarding him the Lou Groza award. This was a category that should have, and was, fought over by the 3 Florida kickers, Dustin Hopkins, Caleb Sturgis and Jake Wieclaw, but Santos rose above them all.
P - Kyle Christy, Florida - Although Christy only finished seventh in punting with a 45.8 yard (Ryan Allen of Louisiana Tech had an astounding 48 yard average, Christy affected each and every game with his punts, giving the Gators great field position on subsequent drives after pinning the opponents deep in their own endzone, and the Gators desperately needed the short field with their offense.
R - Marcus Murphy - Missouri - He had a 24.1 yard kickoff return average with 1 touchdown and a 13.9 yard punt return average with 3 touchdowns. I would love to put Duke Johnson here, but he didn't return any punts I could divide the return duties, but then I would just be playing favorites.
Offense
QB - Johnny Manzell, Texas A & M; Jordan Lynch, Northern Illinois; Geno Smith, West Virginia- Manzell needs no explanation. Lynch set the record for most rushing yards by a quarterback and Smith put up ludicrous numbers - which he had to do because his defense was ludicrously awful!
RB - Kenjon Barner, Oregon; Montee Ball, Wisconsin, Stefphon Jefferson, Nevada - If you are asking why Barner and Ball, then you are not a true college football fan. Stefphon Jefferson because he was second in yards, second in touchdowns scored and first in "he spells his name, How?" Duke Johnson will be on this list next year - Guaranteed!
WR - Marquise Lee, USC; Stedman Bailey, West Virginia; DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson; Terrance Williams, Baylor - Lee had 118 receptions for 1721 yards; Bailey had 114 receptions for 1622 yards and 25 TDS!!!! Hopkins had only 82 catches for 1405 yards, but 18 TDs, while Williams had an astounding 1832 yards - on 97 catches - after losing Robert Griffin III.
TE - Zach Ertz, Stanford - and since nobody uses TEs anymore, no Tyler Eifort.
T - Luke Joeckel, Texas A & M; Cyrus Kuandijo, Alabama; D.J. Fluker, Alabama. Joeckel is by far the best offensive lineman in the country, and well, did you see Alabama's running game?
G - Chance Warmack, Alabama; Cyril Richardson, Baylor - Once again - Alabama's offensive line and as for Richardson, just watch the Kansas State tape, with Lache Seastrunk constantly running up the middle.
C - Barret Jones, Alabama - Seriously, they were that good.
Defense
DE - Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina; Damontre Moore, Texas A & M; Bjoern Werner, FSU - Clowney - just for the bowl game hit. Yes THE Bowl Game HIT! Moore because A & M played a lot more than just offense. Werner is most people's starter, but I thought he just took too many plays off.
DT - Star Lotulelei, Utah; Sharif Floyd - Lotulelei might have been the best player of which you have never heard. Floyd was a beast that anchored a darn good Florida Gator defense this year (and to appease the Gator fans before they see that I did not include Matt Elam on my team).
OLB - Jarvis Jones, Georgia; Khaseem Greene, Rutgers; C.J. Mosley, Alabama - Jones needs no explanation - but he did lead the country in sacks, and the only reason Greene needs an explanation is because nobody watches Rutgers. Mosley is phenomenal, and to be honest, the only reason I have Greene ahead of him is that I really like watching Greene play.
ILB - Manti Te'o, Notre Dame; Arthur Brown - Kansas State - Te'o received most of the acclaim and all of the apostrophes, but Arthur Brown can flat play defense as well.
CB - Dee Milliner, Alabama; Johnthan Banks, Mississippi State; Jordan Poyer, Oregon State - Milliner was my MVP of the BCS Championship game, and Banks allowed Mississippi State to play an extra safety in the box against all of the tough SEC offenses. Poyer had 7 interceptions.
S - Phillip Thomas, Fresno State; Ed Reynolds, Stanford; Eric Reid, LSU - Thomas led the country with 8 interceptions, while Ed Reynolds anchored a tough, tough Cardinal defense. Eric Reid is included because the LSU defense was way too good to not have someone on the team, and I personally found Barkevious Mingo incredibly disappointing - and I can give lots of examples, if you prefer.
Now for my Matt Elam aside. I attended 3 Florida games and watched at least a portion of every other game. While Elam is a talent, (he was a consensus All-American for everyone else and is the highest rated safety in the draft - to date), he often runs himself out of plays, is often out-of-position, over pursues way too much, is way too eager to make the big hit/play rather than make a tackle and takes stupid - and I mean STUPID - penalties, often personal fouls. I personally saw that in the LSU game there were times where Elam was on the bench in the second half for several plays - and not for an injury or equipment reasons either. In fact, his signature play, running the receiver down and causing the fumble in the LSU game, only happened because he bit horribly on the play-action fake and was WAY out of position. I will give him credit for not giving up on the play, though.
Special Teams
K - Cairo Santos, Tulane - 47 - 48 on the year, and that miss was on an extra point. Plus, my Palm Beach County brethren, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, felt he was the best kicker in awarding him the Lou Groza award. This was a category that should have, and was, fought over by the 3 Florida kickers, Dustin Hopkins, Caleb Sturgis and Jake Wieclaw, but Santos rose above them all.
P - Kyle Christy, Florida - Although Christy only finished seventh in punting with a 45.8 yard (Ryan Allen of Louisiana Tech had an astounding 48 yard average, Christy affected each and every game with his punts, giving the Gators great field position on subsequent drives after pinning the opponents deep in their own endzone, and the Gators desperately needed the short field with their offense.
R - Marcus Murphy - Missouri - He had a 24.1 yard kickoff return average with 1 touchdown and a 13.9 yard punt return average with 3 touchdowns. I would love to put Duke Johnson here, but he didn't return any punts I could divide the return duties, but then I would just be playing favorites.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Ready for Some Football
It is that time of the year again, time for the start of college football. 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 a 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.
Offense
QB - Landry Jones, Oklahoma; Andrew Luck, Stanford; Denard Robinson, Michigan - I just think that Jones is going to have a better year than Luck, but Luck is a great backup to have. Robinson might be the most dynamic player in the country.
RB - LaMichael James, Oregon; Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina; Michael Dyer, Auburn; Chris Polk, Washington - James and Lattimore are no-brainers, while Auburn is going to heavily rely upon Dyer post-Newton. I just have a hunch about Polk.
WR - Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma; Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina; Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State; Jeff Fuller, Texas A&M - The first three are self-explanatory, or at least they should be.
TE - Michael Egnew, Missouri
OL - Johnathan Martin, Stanford; Barrett Jones, Alabama; Mike Brewster, Ohio State; David Molk, Michigan; Matt Kalil, USC; Levy Adcock, Oklahoma State; Seantrel Henderson, Miami - All big, strong and key cogs to their respective teams.
Defense
DE - Quinton Coples, North Carolina; Brandon Jenkins, Florida State; Vinny Curry, Marshall - Coples continues the string of talented Tar Heel defensive playersnwhile Jenkins leads a defense known for making plays behind the line of scrimmage.
DT - Jared Crick, Nebraska; Billy Winn, Boise State - Crick is good enough to have moved outside of the extremely large shadow of Ndamukong Suh.
LB - Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State; Dont'a Hightower, Alabama; Tank Carder, TCU; Luke Kuechly, Boston College; Sean Spence, Miami - Burfict is my absolute favorite player in all of college football. He is the most likely player to actually decapitate someone since LaVar Arrington. Hightower is the best defensive player on a Nick Saban defense, while Spence is my favorite Miami player. A darkhourse youngster to watch is Jon Bostic of Florida.
CB - Jayron Housley, Virginia Tech; Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina; Cliff Harris, Oregon; Mark Barron, Alabama; Chase Minnifield, Virginia; Kenny Tate, Maryland - Housley is the best corner in college, while Gilmore very well could be by the time the season is over. Why Harris? I need someone to hang out with Sean Spence.
Special Teams
K - Will Snyderwine, Duke - Because it is kicker, and because it is weird to have a Duke football All-American.
P - Drew Butler, Georgia - Easily the best punter in the NCAA.
KR/PR - Damaris Johnson, Tulsa; Andre DeBose, Florida; James Rodgers, Oregon State - Johnson set the single game all-purpose yards record in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl and it is time for DeBose to live up to his potential and not just try to be Percy Harvin.
Offense
QB - Landry Jones, Oklahoma; Andrew Luck, Stanford; Denard Robinson, Michigan - I just think that Jones is going to have a better year than Luck, but Luck is a great backup to have. Robinson might be the most dynamic player in the country.
RB - LaMichael James, Oregon; Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina; Michael Dyer, Auburn; Chris Polk, Washington - James and Lattimore are no-brainers, while Auburn is going to heavily rely upon Dyer post-Newton. I just have a hunch about Polk.
WR - Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma; Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina; Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State; Jeff Fuller, Texas A&M - The first three are self-explanatory, or at least they should be.
TE - Michael Egnew, Missouri
OL - Johnathan Martin, Stanford; Barrett Jones, Alabama; Mike Brewster, Ohio State; David Molk, Michigan; Matt Kalil, USC; Levy Adcock, Oklahoma State; Seantrel Henderson, Miami - All big, strong and key cogs to their respective teams.
Defense
DE - Quinton Coples, North Carolina; Brandon Jenkins, Florida State; Vinny Curry, Marshall - Coples continues the string of talented Tar Heel defensive playersnwhile Jenkins leads a defense known for making plays behind the line of scrimmage.
DT - Jared Crick, Nebraska; Billy Winn, Boise State - Crick is good enough to have moved outside of the extremely large shadow of Ndamukong Suh.
LB - Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State; Dont'a Hightower, Alabama; Tank Carder, TCU; Luke Kuechly, Boston College; Sean Spence, Miami - Burfict is my absolute favorite player in all of college football. He is the most likely player to actually decapitate someone since LaVar Arrington. Hightower is the best defensive player on a Nick Saban defense, while Spence is my favorite Miami player. A darkhourse youngster to watch is Jon Bostic of Florida.
CB - Jayron Housley, Virginia Tech; Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina; Cliff Harris, Oregon; Mark Barron, Alabama; Chase Minnifield, Virginia; Kenny Tate, Maryland - Housley is the best corner in college, while Gilmore very well could be by the time the season is over. Why Harris? I need someone to hang out with Sean Spence.
Special Teams
K - Will Snyderwine, Duke - Because it is kicker, and because it is weird to have a Duke football All-American.
P - Drew Butler, Georgia - Easily the best punter in the NCAA.
KR/PR - Damaris Johnson, Tulsa; Andre DeBose, Florida; James Rodgers, Oregon State - Johnson set the single game all-purpose yards record in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl and it is time for DeBose to live up to his potential and not just try to be Percy Harvin.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
NCAA Football All-Americans
As we begin the college football All-Star season, it seems as if it is the time to honor this season's We Make It Rain All-Americans. Although there are more than 11 offenseive and defensive players listed, the team is selected to account for the various offenses and defenses used around the country (trip receivers, spread, 3-4, 4-3, etc.). I also choose some backups to account for different styles of players. I chose to explain my picks in some instances, and not in others. Why? Because I feel like it. Now here are the Pepster All-Americans. Those in bold are those that I chose as Pepster Preseason All-Americans.
Offense
QB - Colt McCoy, Texas; Kellen Moore, Boise State - McCoy led Texas to the NCAA Championship game without much of a running game. Moore had huge numbers, and Boise State has to get some recognition.
RB - Mark Ingram, Alabama, Toby Gerhart, Stanford, Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech - The Heisman Trophy winner and runner up, and Ryan Williams is my preseason player to watch next season. What, no C.J. Spiller? Keep reading.
WR - Jordan Shipley, Texas, Mardy Gilyard; Freddie Barnes, Bowling Green; Golden Tate, Notre Dame - Shipley should have been a Heisman finalist, Barnes led the country in receptions (155) and receiving yards (1,770), and Tate is good, when he isn't complaining and campaigning for pass interference penalties.
TE - Aaron Hernandez, Florida - And nobody else was close.
T - Bryan Bulaga, Iowa; Russel Okung, Oklahoma State - Both big and strong, and keys to their respective offenses.
G - Mike Iupati, Idaho; ; Rodney Hudson, Florida State - Hudson did not give up a quarterback pressure all year.
C - Maurkice Pouncey, Florida - Definitely stood out this year, and for good reason.
Defense
DE - Jerry Hughes, TCU; Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech; Sergio Kindle, Texas - Hughes was simply dominating, and Morgan was remarkably consistent. Kindle gets this position simply by virtue of his work in the BCS Championship game. My humble apologies to Texas A & M senior Von Miller.
DT - Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska; Terrence Cody, Alabama; Brian Price, UCLA - Suh might have been the most dominating player in the NCAA, Cody anchored the NCAA's championship defense; Price had 22 1/2 sacks.
OLB - Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri; Eric Norwood, South Carolina - Norwood is a beast, while Weatherspoon just makes tackles. I have no reason whatsoever to change my preseason picks!
ILB - Rolando McClaim, Alabama; Greg Jones, Michigan State - If I have to justify McClain, you have not been watching college football this year. Jones had 153 tackles this season, good for fourth best in the country.
CB - Joe Haden, Florida; Javier Arenas, Alabama - Haden is the best cover corner in college, and Arenas, well, he just makes plays.
S - Eric Berry, Tennessee; DeAndre McDaniel, Clemson; Earl Thomas, Texas - Again, I do not have to justify Berry, and I shouldn't have to justify Thoimas. McDaniel, like Thomas, had 8 interceptions.
Special Teams
K - Leigh Tiffin, Alabama - Championship kicker. Can't really find a better criteria than that.
P - Drew Butler, Georgia; Zoltan Mesko, Michigan - Butler, because he averaged 48.8 yards per punt. Mesko, because you don't mess with the Zohan.
R - C.J. Spiller, Clemson - He had to be on any All-American team, and by placing him as my returner, I could choose an additional running back.
Offense
QB - Colt McCoy, Texas; Kellen Moore, Boise State - McCoy led Texas to the NCAA Championship game without much of a running game. Moore had huge numbers, and Boise State has to get some recognition.
RB - Mark Ingram, Alabama, Toby Gerhart, Stanford, Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech - The Heisman Trophy winner and runner up, and Ryan Williams is my preseason player to watch next season. What, no C.J. Spiller? Keep reading.
WR - Jordan Shipley, Texas, Mardy Gilyard; Freddie Barnes, Bowling Green; Golden Tate, Notre Dame - Shipley should have been a Heisman finalist, Barnes led the country in receptions (155) and receiving yards (1,770), and Tate is good, when he isn't complaining and campaigning for pass interference penalties.
TE - Aaron Hernandez, Florida - And nobody else was close.
T - Bryan Bulaga, Iowa; Russel Okung, Oklahoma State - Both big and strong, and keys to their respective offenses.
G - Mike Iupati, Idaho; ; Rodney Hudson, Florida State - Hudson did not give up a quarterback pressure all year.
C - Maurkice Pouncey, Florida - Definitely stood out this year, and for good reason.
Defense
DE - Jerry Hughes, TCU; Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech; Sergio Kindle, Texas - Hughes was simply dominating, and Morgan was remarkably consistent. Kindle gets this position simply by virtue of his work in the BCS Championship game. My humble apologies to Texas A & M senior Von Miller.
DT - Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska; Terrence Cody, Alabama; Brian Price, UCLA - Suh might have been the most dominating player in the NCAA, Cody anchored the NCAA's championship defense; Price had 22 1/2 sacks.
OLB - Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri; Eric Norwood, South Carolina - Norwood is a beast, while Weatherspoon just makes tackles. I have no reason whatsoever to change my preseason picks!
ILB - Rolando McClaim, Alabama; Greg Jones, Michigan State - If I have to justify McClain, you have not been watching college football this year. Jones had 153 tackles this season, good for fourth best in the country.
CB - Joe Haden, Florida; Javier Arenas, Alabama - Haden is the best cover corner in college, and Arenas, well, he just makes plays.
S - Eric Berry, Tennessee; DeAndre McDaniel, Clemson; Earl Thomas, Texas - Again, I do not have to justify Berry, and I shouldn't have to justify Thoimas. McDaniel, like Thomas, had 8 interceptions.
Special Teams
K - Leigh Tiffin, Alabama - Championship kicker. Can't really find a better criteria than that.
P - Drew Butler, Georgia; Zoltan Mesko, Michigan - Butler, because he averaged 48.8 yards per punt. Mesko, because you don't mess with the Zohan.
R - C.J. Spiller, Clemson - He had to be on any All-American team, and by placing him as my returner, I could choose an additional running back.
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