| SI.com's 2012 Preseason All-America Team |
Note: Our original list featured Tyrann Mathieu as the first-team cornerback and return man. He has since been dismissed by LSU and replaced here by Johnthan Banks on defense and Tyler Lockett on special teams. |
| |
| |
OFFENSE |
|
DEFENSE |
|
| |
| |
 |
| QB | Matt Barkley |
| Sr., USC |
| Early Heisman favorite threw for 3,500-plus yards, 39 TDs and only seven INTs in 2011. |
|
|
|
 |
| DE | Jadeveon Clowney |
| So., South Carolina |
| SEC's top freshman posted eight sacks in Year 1 and will now lead the Gamecocks' D. |
|
|
|
| |
| |
 |
| RB | Monteé Ball |
| Sr., Wisconsin |
| 2011 Heisman finalist was last year's top rusher with 1,923 yards and 33 scores. |
|
|
|
 |
| DT | Kawann Short |
| Sr., Purdue |
| All-Big Ten choice captains the defense and recorded 54 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 2011. |
|
|
|
| |
| |
 |
| RB | Marcus Lattimore |
| Jr., South Carolina |
| A knee injury cost him half of 2011, but the workhorse is ready to be a star again. |
|
|
|
 |
| DT | Star Lotulelei |
| Sr., Utah |
| All-Pac 12 first teamer and top lineman returns to anchor the nation's best turnover unit. |
|
|
|
| |
| |
 |
| WR | Robert Woods |
| Jr., USC |
| Barkley's favorite target should build on stellar stats: 111 catches, 1,292 yards, 15 TDs. |
|
|
|
 |
| DE | Sam Montgomery |
| Jr., LSU |
| Returning All-America had nine sacks and will pace a D that ranked second in 2011. |
|
|
|
| |
| |
 |
| WR | Sammy Watkins |
| So., Clemson |
| Suspension will hurt, but posted 82 receptions, 1,219 yards, 12 TDs as a freshman. |
|
|
|
 |
| LB | Jarvis Jones |
| Jr., Georgia |
| All-America and Butkus finalist tied for second nationally with 13.5 sacks in 2011. |
|
|
|
| |
| |
 |
| TE | Tyler Eifert |
| Jr., Notre Dame |
| ND's top returning receiver (63 catches, 803 yards, 5 TDs) will be key for budding unit. |
|
|
|
 |
| LB | Manti Te'o |
| Sr., Notre Dame |
| Steady force unexpectedly returned after dazzling with 128 tackles as a junior. |
|
|
|
| |
| |
 |
| T | Ricky Wagner |
| Sr., Wisconsin |
| Two-time All-Big Ten honorable mention made the Outland Trophy preseason watch list. |
|
|
|
 |
| LB | Chase Thomas |
| Sr., Stanford |
| All-Pac-12 LB returns to lead the Cardinal D after recording 8.5 sacks and five forced fumbles. |
|
|
|
| |
| |
 |
| G | Jonathan Cooper |
| Sr., North Carolina |
| The 35-start veteran is on the preseason Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award watch lists. |
|
|
|
 |
| CB | Johnthan Banks |
| Sr., Mississippi State |
| All-SEC defender is second in program history with 12 picks, three of which became TDs. |
|
|
|
| |
| |
 |
| C | Barrett Jones |
| Sr., Alabama |
| Reigning Outland Trophy winner and versatile star will again anchor 'Bama's line. |
|
|
|
 |
| S | T.J. McDonald |
| Sr., USC |
| Thorpe Award and Lott IMPACT Trophy candidate recorded 67 tackles and three picks. |
|
|
|
| |
| |
 |
| G | Chance Warmack |
| Sr., Alabama |
| Two-time national champ has started every game since his sophomore year. |
|
|
|
 |
| S | Eric Reid |
| Jr., LSU |
| Tied LSU's Tyrann Mathieu for team lead in tackles while creating turnovers. |
|
|
|
| |
| |
 |
| T | Luke Joeckel |
| Jr., Texas A&M |
| The 6-6, 310-pound All-Big 12 force should hold up against the SEC's elite D-lines. |
|
|
|
 |
| CB | David Amerson |
| Jr., NC State |
| All-America set NC State and ACC records with 13 INTs in 2011, second best in FBS history. |
|
|
|
| |
| |
SPECIAL TEAMS |
|
| |
| |
 |
| K | Quinn Sharp |
| Sr., Oklahoma State |
| Posted a conversion rate of 88 percent with a long of 46 while also excelling as a punter. |
|
|
|
 |
| R | Tyler Lockett |
| So., Kansas State |
| Speedy receiver exploded onto the scene as a true freshman, averaging 35.2 yards per return. |
|
|
|
| |
| |
 |
| P | Brad Wing |
| So., LSU |
| Average of 44.4 yards per punt with long of 73 as frosh made the Aussie an instant star. |
|
|
|
 |
| AP | De'Anthony Thomas |
| So., Oregon |
| Explosive playmaker had an impact as a back, receiver and return man as a freshman. |
|
|
|
| |
| Second Team |
| |
| |
OFFENSE |
|
DEFENSE |
|
| |
| |
| QB | Geno Smith, Sr., West Virginia |
|
|
| DL | Brandon Jenkins, Sr., Florida State |
|
| |
| |
| RB | Rex Burkhead, Sr., Nebraska |
|
|
| DL | Alex Okafor, Sr., Texas |
|
| |
| |
| RB | Kenjon Barner, Sr., Oregon |
|
|
| DL | William Gholston, Jr., Michigan State |
|
| |
| |
| WR | Marquess Wilson, Jr., Washington State |
|
|
| DL | Jackson Jeffcoat, Jr., Texas |
|
| |
| |
|
|
| LB | Arthur Brown, Sr., Kansas State |
|
| |
| |
|
|
| LB | Khaseem Greene, Sr., Rutgers |
|
| |
| |
|
|
| LB | Shayne Skov, Jr., Stanford |
|
| |
| |
| OL | Travis Frederick, Jr., Wisconsin |
|
|
| CB | Johnny Adams , Sr., Michigan State |
|
| |
| |
| OL | Gabe Ikard, Jr., Oklahoma |
|
|
| S | Tony Jefferson, Jr., Oklahoma |
|
| |
| |
| OL | Omoregie Uzzi, Sr., Georgia Tech |
|
|
| S | John Boyett, Sr., Oregon |
|
| |
| |
| OL | D.J. Fluker, Jr., Alabama |
|
|
| CB | Brodrick Brown, Sr., Oklahoma State |
|
| |
| |
SPECIAL TEAMS |
|
| |
| |
| K | Caleb Sturgis, Sr., Florida |
|
|
| R | Dustin Harris, So., Texas A&M |
|
| |
| |
| P | Ryan Allen, Sr., Louisiana Tech |
|
|
| AP | Tavon Austin, Sr., West Virginia |
|
| |
Tumblr
StumbleUpon
Reddit
Digg
Del.i.cious
.
