College Football 2011: The Pre-Summer All-American Team
College football is rapidly approaching, and there are some seriously talented players returning for the 2011 season. Spring ball is just about over. Teams have seen where there roster stands and are now awaiting their 2011 recruiting classes to get on campus and infused into the program.
Going into the summer, there is a lot to get excited about for each team. This piece will be devoted for the 2011 All-American squad heading into the summer. If I had this team in my program, we'd own the BCS.
Come see who's on the team!
CB: Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina
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Gilmore was an ALL-SEC selection in 2010 and will look to broaden his exposure to the national level in 2011. Now that Patrick Peterson is gone from the conference, Gilmore becomes the top cover corner in the SEC.
6'1", 195 pounds, he possesses excellent size and has the speed to play the field corner spot on a defense. Loose hips, quick feet and outstanding instincts are just a few traits to Gilmore's game.
CB: Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska
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Dennard reminds me of a more athletic DeJuan Groce. 5'10", 205 pounds, Dennard is a stout corner but is a super athlete. Talk around the Cornhusker program has it that Dennard is more athletically gifted than Prince Amukamara was, and that's saying something.
This is the year Dennard must take his game to the next level. He becomes lead dog on the Big Red back end and will be charged with covering the other team's elite pass catcher more times than last year.
I think he's up for the challenge and could be a first round pick next year.
DS: Mark Barron, Alabama
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Barron had a chance to come out for the draft last year, but stayed. I think he could have found himself in the second round in this year's draft.
A big safety at 6'2", 215 pounds, Barron can factor in the box well due to his instincts, play strength, ball locate skills and speed to chase ball carriers around. He's the prototypical strong safety and will be one of the prime contenders for the Thorpe award.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
DS: Tony Jefferson, Oklahoma
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First of all, depeding on who you ask, Jefferson can be listed as LB or a DS. He's really a safety, but sometimes in the Sooners' defensive scheme, he's in the box as an OLB. Any way you slice it, he's one of the top defenders in the country.
The Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2010, I think Jefferson will be even better in 2011. 5'10", 200 pounds, Jefferson should leave Norman as the best safety around those parts since Roy Lee Williams.
LB: Luke Kuechly, Boston College
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Kuechly took over Mark Herzlich's role in 2009 and filled in nicely and admirably. Then when Herzlich came back in 2010, Kuechly just got even better. 6'3", 225 pounds, all he did was lead the nation in tackles with 171, 102 of those being solo.
He's a very instinctive and heady player who uses solid technique and factors well in coverage. Kuechly has flashed ability to jump passing lanes on the second level, and we all know how forceful he is against the run.
Will 2011 be a 200 tackle season?
LB: Dont'a Hightower, Alabama
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Hightower may be the biggest LB in America. 6'4", 260 pounds, he's the ideal type of ILB for the Crimson TIde's 3-4 defense. Hightower loves to mix it up, plays to his size at the point of attack and attacks the run quickly and physically.
He's a tackling machine that showed last season his knee is getting healthy. Former Tide LB and current Raiders LB Rolando McClain has said several times he thinks Hightower is better than him. This could be a Butkus Award type of season for for him.
LB: Vontaze Burfict, LB
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Burfict is the top defensive player in the Pac-12. Hands down. No arguments. He was originally to go to USC, but decided a few days before NSD to switch to ASU. Today, he is considered a future first round draft pick.
6'3", 250 pounds, Burfict has a great size, solid play speed and is very instinctive. He's quick to read and react to the run, but also has great athletic ability as an underneath zone defender in the passing game.
DE: Brandon Jenkins, Florida State
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Jenkins exploded and broke out big time as a sophomore in 2010. He finished with 62 tackles, 21.5 being for loss, and totaled 13.5 sacks for the Seminoles. With Tank Carradine coming to Tallahassee in 2011, the 'Noles pass rush should among the tops in the country.
6'4", 255 pounds, Jenkins was first team All-ACC last year and second team All-American selection by several publications. He is one of the top defensive ends in the country for 2011.
DE: Quinton Coples, North Carolina
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6'6", 245 pounds, Coples has elite ability as an edge defender and was a terror last year. On a squad in Chapel Hill that saw many of its supposed star players and leaders be suspended for much of the season, Coples rose to the occasion.
He finished with 59 tackles and 10 sacks and took on Robert Quinn's role as lead pass rusher for Butch Davis. The NFL took notice, and he will be a first round pick next spring.
DT: Jared Crick, Nebraska
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Crick became the sole focus of many opposing offense's interior blocking schemes last year since N'Damukong Suh was now beating offensive linemen up in Detroit. However, Crick still found a way to get it done.
He finished with 9.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss, using his size, length, effort and motor to wreak havoc in the defensive middle. This year, he will be the lead DL on a strong Cornhusker unit.
DT: Billy Winn, Boise State
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Boise State has Kellen Moore coming back, but Winn is also another big reason the Broncos are poised for another potential BCS bowl run. 6'4", 295 pounds, Winn has shown improvement year to year since he came to Boise from Las Vegas.
He was All-WAC last year and made a few third team All-American teams by several publications. He's considered and top tier NFL prospect, and this should be a dominant year for him in the trenches.
OL: Nate Potter, Boise State
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Potter is one of the prime protectors of Kellen Moore and anchors the Bronco offensive line. 6'6", 300 pounds, he is held in high regard because of his ability to play left and right tackle.
He's made the All-WAC squad for the past two consecutive years and was even an academic All-American in 2010. Potter is a Boise native and returns to the Bronco program to help them get back to the BCS.
OL: Matt Reynolds, BYU
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6'6", 330 pounds, Reynolds is a big offensive trench player that can factor at tackle and guard. The word is his future is at tackle, and he could have enough athleticism and foot quickness to play the left side.
He is the son of Lance Reynolds, an assistant at BYU, and made all 13 starts for the Cougars in 2010. NFL scouts have kept their eye on him, and this should be the year he puts his game together and becomes complete.
OL: Jonathan Martin, Stanford
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6'6", 305 pounds, Martin mans the left edge on the Cardinal offensive front and is charged with protecting Andrew Luck's blindside. He slides, mirrors and sets very well, showing solid adjust ability and hand placement.
Martin goes to work every Saturday, knowing he needs to keep Luck clean and upright for the Cardinal to have a chance, and he completes his task thoroughly and effectively. He's one the top tackles in the country.
OL: Barrett Jones, Alabama
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Jones suffering an ankle injury last year may have been one of the prime reasons the Tide's rushing attack suffered some stalls last year. He's a 6'4", 305 pound road grading guard that plays with grit, toughness, strength and solid technique.
Jones is one of the very elite interior linemen in the SEC and in college football. Having him healthy this year should give the Tide's offense more push upfront for the running game, which will take pressure off the new QB.
OL: Matt Kalil, USC
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During the NFL Draft last week, Jon Gruden mentioned that he wanted to know why Tyron Smith was playing right tackle at USC. I knew the reason, and a few moments later, Todd McShay stated Smith played right tackle because the left tackle at USC will be a high pick next year.
The left tackle's name is Matt Kalil, the younger brother of former USC and current Panthers OC Ryan Kalil. I've watched and evaluated Matt since he was a prep star at Servite, and the 6'7", 305 pounder is an elite player.
He protects Matt Barkley well and should be a first round selection in 2012.
TE: Michael Egnew, Missouri
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Egnew finsihed 2010 with 90 grabs for 762 yards and five touchdowns. He is a prototypical receiving tight end that can be a big factor in the passing game. 6'6", 240 pounds, he is a better receiver than blocker, but does show effort in the running game.
He can get up the seams and make plays on safeties and linebackers along the hashes and has a large strikezone. Egnew also shows great speed for the big man and has solid separation quickness.
WR: Robert Woods, USC
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Woods was a Freshman All-American last year and immediately became the best receiver on the Trojan roster in 2010. Reports out of spring practices in Troy have Lane Kiffin talking up Woods as a future first round pick, and Matt Barkely has echoed those sentiments.
6'1", 185 pounds, Woods is a natural receiver with elite athletic ability and is also a very, very smart player. He made 13 starts, hauled in a USC best 65 receptions for 792 yards and six scores. He's also one of the top kick off returners in the country as well.
WR: Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State
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Blackmon lit up the Big 12 last year. I mean, he torched the conference. He was solid as a freshman, but did not have the kind of season that foreshadowed last year. Geez.
The 6'1", 205 pound receiver topped out at 111 catches for over 1,700 yards and 20 touchdowns and snatched up the Biletnikoff trophy with authority. He has his QB Brandon Weeden back. Some serious records will be achieved in Stillwater this season.
RB: Knile Davis, Arkansas
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Davis had a breakout year for the Hogs in 2010 and figures to be a key cog in the Hogs offense yet again in 2011. 6'0", 230 pounds, he rushed for over 1,300 yards last year and showed excellent traits and potential to have a complete skill set.
He averaged over 6.4 yards a pop and is working extremely hard on his game this offseason. Davis has been studying a slew of top running backs and watching extra film to hone his craft. He will be a first round pick when he comes out.
RB: LaMichael James, Oregon
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1682 yards. 22 touchdowns. Enough said. James makes this team with ease and is one the elite college running backs in the sport. 5'9", 185 pounds, he may not be the biggest, but James makes up for it with elite speed, quickness, light feet, elusiveness and explosion.
He is becoming more a leader this year for the Ducks and will try to get them back to the BCS title game. His skill set and running style fits Chip Kelly's spread offense to a T.
QB: Andrew Luck, Stanford
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Luck may be the most awaited QB prospect since Peyton Manning. I think he is a complete player, which is very rare on the college level, especially from QB's. There is nothing not to like about Luck. He's 6'4", 235 pounds, athletic, has a great arm, great accuracy, quick feet, makes good decisions and is very, very intelligent.
He's the early favorite for the Heisman, and although he will see a few new offensive linemen protecting him on The Farm in 2011, Luck could have an even bigger year in 2011 than 2010.
Can he top the 705 completion rate? Could he possibly stay for his senior year?
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
