Tag: All-American

Clemson star linebacker named to ESPN’s ‘Way-Too-Early’ All-America Team for 2024

Barrett Carter is one of the best in the country heading into the 2024 season.

Clemson’s defense is always good these days, and they will be that much better in 2024 with star linebacker Barrett Carter returning for another season. 

Carter, a key player for the Tigers and a potential early pick in the 2024 NFL draft, surprised everyone by choosing to stick with the team. The young linebacker opted to return to develop and, possibly, improve his draft stock. 

ESPN recently named way too early 2024 All-Americans, with Carter named as one of the three first-team linebackers. 

Although he was overshadowed by Jeremiah Trotter Jr. last season, Carter decided to return as the leader of Clemson’s defense and one of college football’s most versatile linebackers instead of entering the NFL draft . He has nine sacks and 12 pass breakups over the past two seasons and is equally effective on both running and passing downs.

Carter was great in 2023, performing as a top defender for the Tigers. I11 games, securing the second spot on the team with 59 tackles and the third spot with nine tackles for loss, along with three sacks.

In 2024, the defense will be Carter’s to lead. He will step into the Trotter Jr. role as the face of the defense, and he is fully capable of doing so.

Perfect Game names 3 Gators as Preseason All-Americans

Baseball season is just around the corner and Florida once again features some of the nation’s best — three Preseason All-Americans, in fact.

Baseball season is just six weeks away, and the Florida Gators are gearing up for another College World Series push after finishing as the runner-up in 2023.

Florida lost an incredible amount of talent to the draft, including two starting pitchers and No. 4 overall pick Wyatt Langford, but Kevin O’Sullivan knows how to reload for each season. The Gators start the season with three All-Americans on the roster, according to Perfect Game.

Making the first team, as a two-way player, is Jac Caglianone. He set the school record and national BBCOR-era record with 33 home runs a season ago and served as Florida’s Sunday starter for most of the season. Fall reports have Caglianone nearing triple digits off the mound, but accuracy is always the question. If he can locate his fastball at that velocity, he’ll become one of the most interesting draft prospects of all time.

On the second team is a new Gator, transfer infielder Colby Shelton. He slashes .300/.419/.729 for Alabama as a freshman in 2023 and could easily work his way up to the first team. Shelton’s bat is as sure as it gets, but the glove is the question mark in his game, especially moving from third to short.

Finally, Brandon Neely — who served as Florida’s closer last year — is on the third team. He’s listed as a relief pitcher, but there has been some talk of Neely returning to the starting rotation. Neely was a starting pitcher for Florida as a freshman, but he moved into that closer role and thrived.

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Two Iowa Hawkeyes, Cooper DeJean and Tory Taylor, named Unanimous All-Americans

Cooper DeJean and Tory Taylor have done it! The two Iowa Hawkeyes have immortalized themselves as unanimous All-Americans.

Unanimous All-American.

There are few higher distinctions and ranks that can be achieved at the collegiate level for an athlete than the title of unanimous All-American. Not only did one major publication view you as the elite of the elite, but all five unanimously agreed that you were the best.

That means you were deemed the best of the best by the Associated Press, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Sporting News, and the Walter Camp Football Foundation (WCFF). You were given the nod by both the media members and former and present coaches.

It is an honor only reserved for the cream of the crop, and this year, both Hawkeyes, Cooper DeJean and Tory Taylor, are on that immortal list. Their consensus All-American status was upgraded to unanimous with the release of the AFCA All-America team on Thursday. They are the 16th and 17th Hawkeyes to receive such status. It is the fourth straight year that an Iowa Hawkeye was a unanimous All-American.

Cooper DeJean earns the accolade after “only” collecting first-team All-Big Ten status last season. A finalist for both the Jim Thorpe Award the and Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the junior defensive back was one of the top defensive players in the nation.

A first-team All-Big Ten member as both a defender and a returner, DeJean captured both the Tatum–Woodson Defensive Back of the Year as well as the Rodgers–Dwight Return Specialist of the Year for the Big Ten.

For Tory Taylor, this is a recognition long overdue. While receiving the spotlight of both the Iowa fanbase and the national media at large, Taylor just barely missed consensus All-American status last year. He received the nod from FWAA, Phil Steele, and Pro Football Focus who were the only ones to get it right.

Phil Steele also named him a first-team All-Big Ten member last year alongside the media. Still, some got it wrong, such as the coaches who listed him as a third-team All-Big Ten member and the Ray Guy Award who didn’t even include Taylor as a finalist in 2022.

This year Taylor was recognized by all as the rightful and unanimous best punter in the nation. He was recognized as the top punter in the Big Ten by capturing the Eddleman–Fields Punter of the Year and earning unanimous first-team All-Big Ten status. Taylor was rightfully the recipient of the Ray Guy Award, given to the best punter in the nation.

In the national All-American teams, Taylor was an easy write-in as the punter. FWAA, Sports Illustrated, The Athletic, CBS (unanimous), Walter Camp, Associated Press, and Sporting News all included the Aussie specialist as their first-team All-America punter.

With all of the accolades already achieved, Taylor is just 20 yards away from breaking the all-time single-season NCAA punting yards record. The current top mark was set at 4,138 by Michigan State’s Johnny Pingel back in 1938. That was 85 years ago. The Hawkeye will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest specialists in NCAA history.

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Jackson Powers-Johnson becomes Oregon’s fifth unanimous All-American

Jackson Powers-Johnson becomes the fifth UO unanimous All-American joining other Duck greats.

Winning anything unanimously is nearly impossible. Just look at the MLB Hall of Fame where Mariano Rivera is the only player to receive every vote. Not even Cal Ripken, Ken Griffey, Jr. or even Babe Ruth could accomplish such a feat.

When it comes to college football All-Americans, it’s a bit more common. Oregon has had four unanimous selections coming into this season.

Now it’s five.

Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson was selected as that fifth unanimous All-American as he joined LaMichael James, Marcus Mariota, Penei Sewell and Kayvon Thibodeaux.

JPJ was part of a new offensive line group that had questions coming into the season, but those questions were answered quickly as the unit became very cohesive early in the year. They kept quarterback upright and opened huge holes for the running backs for an offense that averaged almost 40 points a game in 2023.

Clemson linebacker named ESPN first-team All-American

Jeremiah Trotter Jr. has been recognized as one of the best players in college football.

Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. has earned another All-American honor, this time as a first team member by ESPN.

This season, Trotter had a team-high 88 tackles, a team-leading 15.0 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions over 676 snaps over 12 games. He took one of his interceptions to the house. Here is what writer Chris Low had to say about the star linebacker.

Each of Trotter’s past two seasons have been ultra productive, and now he’s off to the NFL after leading Clemson in total tackles (88), tackles for loss (15) and sacks (5.5) in 2023. One of three finalists for the Butkus Award as the top linebacker in the nation, the 6-foot, 230-pound Trotter is more than just a tackling machine. He broke up six passes and also had two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.

Trotter was once again a stud this season, and he ended his career at Clemson on a high note after the Tigers’ win over South Carolina. The NFL is next up for the talented linebacker.

Texas A&M LB Edgerrin Cooper selected to AP All-American First Team

Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper has stacked several accolades following the regular season and added another to begin this week.

Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper has stacked several accolades following the regular season and added another to begin this week.

Cooper was chosen for the Associated Press All-American First Team on Monday. The Southeastern Conference led the way in selections with nine.

 

The superstar junior earned a First Team All-SEC nod from the league’s coaches following the conclusion of conference play. Other awards Cooper has received recently include respective First Team All-American selections from CBS Sports, The Athletic and the Walter Camp Football Foundation. He also added a Second Team All-American nod by the Football Writers Association of America.

In 2021, Cooper was chosen for the SEC All-Freshman team. Two years later, he started at linebacker in every game for the Aggies to earn an All-SEC first-team selection. With 17 tackles for loss in 2023, Cooper ranked fifth among Power Five players. He recorded team highs of 84 total tackles and eight sacks to rank sixth and fourth in the SEC, respectively.

After his breakout junior season, Cooper is projected by many as a second-round pick in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft. However, he has yet to declare and perhaps his prior relationship with new head coach Mike Elko will keep him in College Station for one more year.

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Clemson linebacker named second-team AP All-American

Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. has been honored as an AP All-American.

Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. has been named a second-team AP All-American.

It’s the second straight season Trotter has earned AP All-American honors, with the Butkus Award finalist being one of the top defenders in the country. It’s an honor well deserved for the Tigers’ top defensive player.

This season, Trotter had a team-high 88 tackles, a team-leading 15.0 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions over 676 snaps over 12 games. He took one of his interceptions to the house.

Below is a look at the full AP All-American teams.

FIRST TEAM (offense)

Quarterback — Jayden Daniels, fifth-year, LSU.

Running backs — Ollie Gordon II, second-year, Oklahoma State; Cody Schrader, sixth-year, Missouri.

Tackles — Joe Alt, third-year, Notre Dame; Olu Fashanu, fourth-year, Penn State.

Guards — Cooper Beebe, fifth-year, Kansas State; Zak Zinter, fourth-year, Michigan.

Center — Jackson Powers-Johnson, third-year, Oregon.

Tight end — Brock Bowers, third-year, Georgia.

Wide receivers — Malik Nabers, third-year, LSU; Marvin Harrison Jr., third-year, Ohio State; Rome Odunze, fourth-year, Washington.

All-purpose player — Travis Hunter, second-year, Colorado.

Kicker — Graham Nicholson, third-year, Miami (Ohio).

FIRST TEAM (defense)

Edge rushers — Laiatu Latu, fifth-year, UCLA; Jalen Green, fifth-year, James Madison.

Interior linemen — T’Vondre Sweat, fifth-year, Texas; Jer’Zahn Newton, fourth-year, Illinois.

Linebackers — Payton Wilson, sixth-year, North Carolina State; Edgerrin Cooper, fourth-year, Texas A&M; Dallas Turner, third-year, Alabama.

Cornerbacks — Cooper DeJean, third-year, Iowa; Kool-Aid McKinstry, third-year, Alabama.

Safeties — Malaki Starks, second-year, Georgia; Xavier Watts, fourth-year, Notre Dame.

Defensive back — Terrion Arnold, third-year, Alabama.

Punter — Tory Taylor, fourth-year, Iowa.

SECOND TEAM (offense)

Quarterback — Michael Penix Jr., sixth-year, Washington.

Running backs — Audric Estime, third-year, Notre Dame; Omarion Hampton, second-year, North Carolina.

Tackles — Taliese Fuaga, fourth-year, Oregon State; JC Latham, third-year, Alabama.

Guards — Tate Ratledge, fourth-year, Georgia; Clay Webb, fifth-year, Jacksonville State.

Center — Sedrick Van Pran, fourth-year, Georgia.

Tight ends — Dallin Holker, fifth-year, Colorado State.

Wide receivers — Troy Franklin, third-year, Oregon; Malik Washington, fifth-year, Virginia; Luther Burden III, second-year, Missouri.

All-purpose player — Ashton Jeanty, second-year, Boise State.

Kicker — Jose Pizano, third-year, UNLV.

SECOND TEAM (defense)

Edge rushers — Jonah Elliss, third-year, Utah; Jared Verse, fourth-year, Florida State.

Interior linemen — Byron Murphy II, third-year, Texas; Howard Cross III, fifth-year, Notre Dame.

Linebackers — Jeremiah Trotter Jr., third-year, Clemson; Jason Henderson, third-year, Old Dominion; Jay Higgins, fourth-year, Iowa.

Cornerbacks — Quinyon Mitchell, fourth-year, Toledo; Beanie Bishop Jr., sixth-year, West Virginia.

Safeties — Tyler Nubin, fifth-year, Minnesota; Caleb Downs, first-year, Alabama.

Defensive back — Kris Abrams-Draine, fourth-year, Missouri.

Punter — Matthew Hayball, sixth-year, Vanderbilt.

THIRD TEAM (offense)

Quarterbacks — Bo Nix, fifth-year, Oregon.

Running backs — Blake Corum, fourth-year, Michigan; Kimani Vidal, fourth-year, Troy.

Tackles — Javon Foster, sixth-year, Missouri; Troy Fautanu, fifth-year, Washington.

Guards — Christian Haynes, sixth-year, UConn; Luke Kandra, fourth-year, Cincinnati.

Center — Zach Frazier, fourth-year, West Virginia.

Tight end — Ben Sinnott, fourth-year, Kansas State.

Wide receivers — Ricky White, fourth-year, UNLV; Brian Thomas Jr., third-year, LSU; Tetairoa McMillan, second-year, Arizona.

All-purpose player — Xavier Worthy, third-year, Texas.

Kicker — Will Reichard, fifth-year, Alabama.

THIRD TEAM (defense)

Edge rushers —Chop Robinson, third-year, Penn State; Bralen Trice, fifth-year, Washington.

Interior linemen — Kris Jenkins, fourth-year, Michigan; Braden Fiske, sixth-year, Florida State.

Linebackers — Nathaniel Watson, sixth-year, Mississippi State; Edefuan Ulofoshio, sixth-year, Washington; Danny Stutsman, third-year, Oklahoma.

Cornerbacks — Ricardo Hallman, third-year, Wisconsin; T.J. Tampa, fourth-year, Iowa State.

Safeties — Trey Taylor, fifth-year, Air Force; Dillon Thieneman, first-year, Purdue.

Defensive back — Sebastian Castro, fifth-year, Iowa.

Punter — James Ferguson-Reynolds, second-year, Boise State.

Clemson’s Ousmane Sylla named United Soccer Coaches All-American

Sylla has been recognized for his phenomenal season.

Clemson, S.C. – For the first time in his career, Ousmane Sylla earned All-America honors, it was announced today by the United Soccer Coaches organization. The Dakar, Senegal, native earned a spot on the First Team, as voted on by the organization.

Sylla is the 37th Tiger in program history (44th total) to earn All-America honors and first since 2021.

The senior adds to his many recognitions this season, already having been named an All-ACC First Team performer, the ACC Tournament MVP and First Team All-South Region. Earlier this week, he was named First-Team All-South Region and a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist.

Sylla has led the Tigers offensively this season, with 12 goals and 10 assists on the year. He ranks in the top 50 in Division I in eight categories, including being ranked fifth in the country in total points (34).

To view the full All-American list, click here. This year’s All-Americans will be recognized for their accomplishments at the United Soccer Coaches All-America Ceremony & Reception on Saturday, January, 13, 2024 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, in conjunction with the United Soccer Coaches Convention.

–Via Clemson Athletic Communications 

Walter Camp Player of the Year and All-American team announced

The Walter Camp Football Foundation revealed the names for its prestigious All-American team and Player of the Year award on Friday night.

The Walter Camp Football Foundation revealed its Player of the Year award-winner as well as the members of its prestigious All-American team on Friday night.

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, the fifth quarterback in SEC history to be responsible for 50 touchdowns in a single season, was named the Walter Camp Player of the Year. He led the FBS in QBR (95.7), passing touchdowns (40), yards per pass attempt (11.7), yards per carry (8.4), and total offense (412.2 yards/game).

Despite the Player of the Year nomination, Daniels was not the quarterback on the foundation’s All-American team. See who was nominated at each position below.

Walter Camp All-American Team

QB: Michael Penix Jr. (Washington)

RB: Ollie Gordon II (Oklahoma State), Omarion Hampton (North Carolina)

WR: Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ohio State), Malik Nabers (LSU)

TE: Brock Bowers (Georgia)

OT: Joe Alt (Notre Dame), Olumuyiwa Fashanu (Penn State)

OG: Cooper Beebe (Kansas State), Zak Zinter (Michigan)

C: Jackson Powers-Johnson (Oregon)

DL: T’Vondre Sweat (Texas), Jonah Elliss (Utah), Jalen Green (James Madison), Laiatu Latu (UCLA)

LB: Jason Henderson (Old Dominion), Payton Wilson (NC State), Edgerrin Cooper (Texas A&M)

CB: Cooper DeJean (Iowa), Beanie Bishop Jr. (West Virginia)

S: Xavier Watts (Notre Dame), Malaki Starks (Georgia)

K: Graham Nicholson (Miami-Ohio)

P: Tory Taylor (Iowa)

KR: Jayden Harrison (Marshall)

Dallas Turner named a finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award: the nation’s top defender

Dallas Turner being recognized as one of the top defensive players in college football

Despite being a high-end recruit and a very talented player himself, the first two years of [autotag]Dallas Turner’s[/autotag] collegiate career were spent in Will Anderson’s shadow. Turner was sensational his first two years as he combined for 67 tackles and 12.5 sacks, but Anderson was the star of the defense during that span with 152 total tackles and an insane 27.5 sacks. With insane numbers like that Anderson was viewed as a generational prospect and declared for the 2023 NFL Draft after just his junior year where he was selected third overall by the Houston Texans.

Now, with Anderson out of the picture, Turner has became the superstar of the Alabama defense. Through 12 games this season, Turner is already at 46 tackles, eight sacks and two forced fumbles as he is able to just pin his ears back and go get after the passer. It feels like every time that there is a crucial third down, 15 is somewhere around the ball.

Turner will more than likely be a First-Team All-American and Firs-Team All-SEC, but it sounds like he will also be in contention for the Chuck Bednarik Award which is handed out annually to the nation’s top defensive player. Turner would be the 4th player under Coach Saban at Alabama to win the award alongside Jonathan Allen 2016, Minkah Fitzpatrick 2017 and Will Anderson in 2022.

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