Friday, August 20, 2021

The Athletic’s Preseason All-America Team

While passing the days until the Minnesota Vikings host the Indianapolis Colts in Preseason Game #2, I turned my attention to some college football. Preseason rankings, Bruce Feldman’s terrific freaks list, that sort of fun stuff. The Athletic recently released their preseason All-America Team. 

First Team

Offense

Quarterback
Sam Howell, North Carolina

Running Backs
Breece Hall, Iowa State
Bijan Robinson, Texas

Receivers
Chris Olave, Ohio State
Drake London, USC

Tight End
Charlie Kolar, Iowa State

Offensive Line
Kenyon Green, Texas A&M
Darian Kinnard, Kentucky
Evan Neal, Alabama
Jamaree Salyer, Georgia
Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa

Defense

Defensive Ends
Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon
DeMarvin Leal, Texas A&M

Defensive Tackles
Bryan Bresee, Clemson
Jordan Davis, Georgia

Linebackers
Will Anderson, Alabama 
Mike Rose, Iowa State
Devin Loyd, Utah

Cornerbacks
Derek Singletary, LSU
Sauce Gardner, Cincinnati

Safeties
Brandon Joseph, Northwestern
Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame

Specialists

Kicker
Cade York, LSU

Punter
Tory Taylor, Iowa

All-Purpopse
Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State

Second Team

Offense

Quarterback
Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma

Running Backs
Kyren Williams, Notre Dame
Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M

Receivers
Jahan Dotson, Penn State
Garrett Wilson, Ohio State

Tight End
Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina

Offensive Line
Thayer Mumford, Ohio State
Ikem Ekwonu, NC State
O’Cyrus Torrence, Louisiana
Alec Lindstrom, Boston College
Jarrett Patterson, Notre Dame

Defense

Defensive Ends
George Karlaftis, Purdue
Myjai, Sanders, Cincinnati

Defensive Tackles
Perrion Winfrey, Oklahoma
Haskell Garrett, Ohio State

Linebackers
Nik Bonitto, Oklahoma
Duke Jackson, USC 
Micah McFadden, Indiana

Cornerbacks
Trent McDuffie, Washington
Kaiir Elam, Florida

Safeties
Bubba Bolden, Miami
Greg Eisworth, Iowa State

Specialists

Kicker
Jake Oldroyd, BYU

Punter
Lou Hadley, Miami

All-Purpopse
Jerrion Ealy, Mississippi


***

The big schools are well represented. Each year, the talent distribution in college football becomes more concentrated at the very top. 

All-Americans by College
4: Ohio State, Iowa State
3: Notre Dame, Texas A&M, Oklahoma
2: USC, Alabama, Georgia, Iowa, LSU, Cincinnati, Miami

All-Americans by Conference
12: SEC
10: Big 10
  9: Big 12
  6: ACC
  5: Pac-12
  4: Independents
  2: American, Sun Belt

It’s a bit of a surprise to see Alabama with only two first team players. Clemson only has one. Both programs are always overflowing with talent. 

Iowa State has three players on the first team. The Cyclones are #7 in the AP Preseason poll. Matt Campbell has created a strong program. NFL teams will come calling until he stops saying “no.” 

Cincinnati corner Sauce Gardner has one of the best names in college football. 

Speaking of names. Tyler Linderbaum has be an offensive lineman from Iowa. Or Wisconsin. 

Speaking of Wisconsin offensive lineman. I’m surprised that there isn’t a Badger offensive lineman on either the first or second team. 




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