The Athletic releases preseason All-American team
The Athletic released its preseason All-American team on Monday, with the SEC leading all conferences with eight selections, followed by the Big 12’s four selections.
All-American First Team Offense
Quarterback: Sam Howell, North Carolina
Howell returns to North Carolina for his third season and brings with him a myriad of experience. Starting for the third consecutive year, he’ll lead an offense poised to make noise after falling just short in the Orange Bowl last season.
Running Back: Breece Hall, Iowa State
Hall set program records in his sophomore season at Iowa State and became the first player in Cyclone history to be named a unanimous All-American. The reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year could very well repeat his performance in 2021.
Running Back: Bijan Robinson, Texas
Though he’s only a sophomore, Robinson will be a name to watch in the Big 12 this season. Robinson started the final six games of the 2020 season—a stretch in which the Longhorns went 5-1—and turned 86 carries into 703 yards during that span.
Wide Receiver: Chris Olave, Ohio State
Olave could’ve very well declared for the NFL Draft following his junior campaign, but he instead elected to stay for his senior season. A disruptive, shifty wideout, he had 100 or more receiving yards in five of the seven games he played in last season.
Wide Receiver: Drake London, USC
London is one of the most athletic wideouts in the country packed into a 6-foot-5 frame. A two-sport athlete and guard on USC’s basketball team, he averaged over 15.2 yards per reception in 2020.
Tight End: Charlie Kolar, Iowa State
Kolar is one of two returning Mackey Award finalists and could very well claim the coveted award in 2021. He enters his senior season with the most career receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches by a tight end in Iowa State history.
Offensive Line: Kenyon Green, Texas A&M
The Aggies only return one starting offensive lineman from 2020—and to Jimbo Fisher’s delight, it happens to be Green. Though he’ll be switching from left guard to left tackle, he should pick up where he left off in 2020.
Offensive Line: Darian Kinnard, Kentucky
Kinnard is one of the best run-blocking tackles in the country, giving Kentucky the boost it needs to protect Chris Rodriguez Jr., its preseason second-team All-SEC running back.
Offensive Line: Evan Neal, Alabama
Neal was a freshman All-American at left guard in 2020, then made the seamless transition to right tackle in 2020. Alabama’s offensive line will look a little different than the best-in-show group from last season, but Neal figures to be the centerpiece.
Offensive Line: Jamaree Salyer, Georgia
Salyer is a key piece of Georgia’s offense, and he’ll look to replicate a 2020 season that saw him play both left guard and tackle. He could’ve declared for the NFL Draft last season, but instead he opted to return—where he’ll presumably anchor the line at left tackle.
Offensive Line: Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa
Linderbaum entered Iowa as a defensive tackle but switched after his freshman year to center. Two seasons later, he was a Rimington Trophy finalist and may take the award home in 2021.
All-American First Team Defense
Defensive End: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon
Thibodeaux projects as a top-five pick in the 2022 NFL Draft after tallying 38 tackles (9.5 for losses) and three sacks as a sophomore. The edge rusher simply got better as the season wore on, claiming all three of his sacks in the last four games.
Defensive End: Demarvin Leal, Texas A&M
Leal is the backbone of the Aggies’ defense. He finished the 2020 season with eight hurries, pacing Texas A&M, and 37 tackles, good for the team’s fifth-most. As he enters his junior year, Leal will lead a cast of experienced, veteran Aggies on defense.
Defensive Tackle: Bryan Bresee, Clemson
Bresee, a former No. 1 recruit in the country, certainly lived up to his ranking in 2020. With 33 tackles (6.5 for losses), and three sacks, he put together a phenomenal first season en route to freshman All-American honors.
Defensive Tackle: Jordan Davis, Georgia
Davis’ otherwise excellent 2020 season was cut short, as he missed three games due to injury. If he can stay healthy in 2021, he should continue to set the tone for Georgia’s defensive line.
Linebacker: Will Anderson, Alabama
Anderson won the starting job at jack linebacker in 2020, despite being a true freshman. He proved he deserved the role, putting on a freshman All-American performance and adding three tackles in a national championship-winning effort.
Linebacker: Mike Rose, Iowa State
Rose has his name all over Iowa State’s leaderboards and enters his senior season tenth in school history with 29 tackles for losses. The 2020 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year can improve his draft stock with another strong performance.
Linebacker: Devin Lloyd, Utah
Lloyd was a bright spot in an otherwise quiet season for Utah, as he was a Butkus Award finalist in 2020. Leading the team in both tackles and tackles for losses, Lloyd has one more year to lead the Utes’ defense.
Cornerback: Derek Stingley Jr., LSU
In just two years, Stingley Jr. has become one of the best cornerbacks in the nation — and has shown no signs of slowing down. Stingley should be in consideration for most national awards on the defensive side of the ball.
Cornerback: Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, Cincinnati
Gardner has been a shutdown corner since his arrival in 2019, and he only improved in 2020. His sophomore season, he led an elite Cincinnati defense to the Peach Bowl.
Safety: Brandon Joseph, Northwestern
A unanimous first-team All-American, Joseph erupted onto the scene as a redshirt freshman in 2020. He helped the Wildcats clinch a Big Ten championship appearance, and he even recorded his sixth pick against the Buckeyes.
Safety: Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame
Hamilton had a strong sophomore season at Notre Dame and has now racked up over 100 tackles in two seasons for the Fighting Irish. Although defensive coordinator Clark Lea left for Vanderbilt, Hamilton should keep up his production under Marcus Freeman.