Tag: athlon sports

Five Tigers named to Athlon Sports All-SEC preseason team

Jarquez Hunter leads the charge as five players from Auburn, three of whom are transfers, are represented on the list.

Here we go, it is list season again.

Many lists will be released over the next three months as college football fans prepare for another exciting season. Athlon Sports has kicked off “list season” by releasing its’ picks for the All-SEC preseason team.

Georgia and Alabama lead the way as far as representatives go, as each program has placed 15 and 12 on the list respectively. LSU, Mississippi State, Missouri, and South Carolina all reached ten or higher.

Auburn did not quite have as many listed, as only five Tigers were selected. However, the outlook is bright, as three transfer portal additions made the cut.

Here’s a look at Auburn’s selections in the Athlon Sports All-SEC preseason team.

Athlon Sports: Michigan football has 17 on preseason All-Big Ten for 2023

Athlon Sports is sure high on #Michigan!

Athlon Sports is in the midst of putting together its preseason all-conference teams. It already put together its preseason All-American list, and the Wolverines had several players who made the cut.

The preseason All-Big Ten list came out on Tuesday, and Michigan had 17 players make one of the four teams. The Wolverines had seven players make the preseason first team.

Here are the Michigan football players who made Athon Sports’ preseason All-Big Ten team:

Eight Aggies named to Athlon Sports’ Preseason All-SEC Honors list

Athlon Sports has named Eight Texas A&M Football players to the Preseason All-SEC Honors list ahead of the Aggie’s pivotal 2023 season.

The 2023 Texas A&M Football season is one of the most important seasons for head coach Jimbo Fisher’s tenure with the program, and that’s slightly an understatement.

After going 5-7 (2-6 SEC) during the 2022 season, zero excuses outside of some depth-related issues can be used to justify a consecutive losing campaign, and with newly minted offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino set to infuse some juice into what was an uninspiring offense last season, the sky is the limit in 2023.

Without stating the obvious, Texas A&M’s roster is borderline elite at nearly every position, leading to Athlon Sports‘ releasing their 2023 Preseason All-SEC Honors list, which included eight Aggies on Offense, defense, and special teams. Here is the list and team designation for each player:

  • Sophomore Wide Receiver Evan Stewart, 1st-Team Offense
  • Senior Wide Receiver Ainias Smith, 1st-Team Offense, 2nd-Team Special Teams
  • Senior Free Safety Demani Richardson, 1st-Team Defense
  • Senior Defensive Tackle McKinnley Jackson, 2nd-Team Defense
  • Senior Punter Nik Constantinou, 2nd-Team Specialist
  • Junior Center Bryce Foster, 3rd-Team Offense
  • Senior Offensive Lineman Layden Robinson, 4th-Team Offense
  • Junior Defensive Tackle Shemar Turner, 4th-Team Defense

If you notice the trend, every player listed is either a senior or junior, as the upperclassmen will be expected to provide consistent leadership inside the lockerroom and on the field, as a majority of the historic 2022 recruiting class has returned after what has been coined as a “baptism by fire” after numerous freshmen played nearly every snap last season, especially on defense.

With talent, experience, and possibly the best coaching staff in the country, I’ll continue to say what needs to be displayed as all the preseason accolades rain upon the roster; no excuses in 2023.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

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Multiple Michigan football players make Athlon Sports’ preseason All-American team

There may be even more when the season is over! #GoBlue

Athlon Sports came out with their annual preseason All-American teams this week and there were multiple Michigan football players who cracked the list.

During 2022, Michigan had four members get All-American honors: Blake Corum, Olu Oluwatimi, Jake Moody, and Mike Morris. The Wolverines return Corum, who is coming off an injury that sidelined him the final three games of the season, but one would figure if he stays healthy — he will be back on an All-American team.

There are several candidates on the 2023 roster who could be All-Americans at the end of the season. And according to Athlon Sports, there are eight Michigan players that will be an All American in 2023.

Here are the Wolverines that made cut.

According to Athlon Sports, Texas A&M is ‘Poised to Rebound in 2023’

According to Steven Lassan of Athlon Sports, Texas A&M is built to rebound in 2023 after their forgettable 5-7 2022 campaign

Let the doubters continue to doubting Aggie fans because I’m here to inform you that despite the offensive play we all had to witness during the Aggies’ 5-7 2022 season, better days on the gridiron are upon us, and yes, head coach Jimbo Fisher’s sixth season with the program to set up to be his most successful yet.

Take that as you may, and I know that fellow SEC fanbases and, of course, the Texas Longhorn faithful will continue to lob the same ole “but Appalachian State!” insults, but sticking to the facts, Texas A&M’s 2023 roster has grown through multiple transfer portal additions on offense and defense, paired with veteran leadership led by senior wide receiver Ainias Smith, and senior free safety Demani Richardson.

We’re not the only outlet that agrees that the Maroon and White are slated to take a massive step forward as Athlon Sports’ Steven Lassan placed the Aggies among his five programs “Poised to Rebound in 2023”. First, noting what went wrong, including the “baptism by fire” for a youthful defense leading to a porous run defense, Quarterback controversies, and the long list of notable injuries on the offensive line, Lassan’s reasons for “Why the Aggies Will Rebound” are as realistic as realistic can get.

The 5-7 record marked Texas A&M’s first losing season under Jimbo Fisher and prompted plenty of criticism about the overall direction and approach on offense.

Fisher made changes to his staff, landing former Arkansas and Louisville head coach Bobby Petrino to call plays. Petrino brings plenty of baggage to College Station, but there’s no denying he can develop quarterbacks and improve Texas A&M’s offense. Quarterback Conner Weigman and receiver Evan Stewart are two rising stars to watch in the SEC, and the line should improve with better luck in the health department.

The Aggies aren’t short on talent on defense, so this unit should be poised to take a step forward in ’23. The development of the linebackers and depth in the secondary are the biggest question marks facing Durkin this offseason.

After the Aggies 2023 Spring Game on Apr. 15, everything Lassan noted, especially the connection between Weigman and Stewart, was fully displayed that afternoon. In addition, while the depth at both linebacker and defensive back remains an issue, the recent proliferation of Jackson State LB Jurriente Davis and former Boston College cornerback Josh DeBerry through the transfer portal will surely pay dividends come Fall camp. So get excited, ya’ll, because a particular season may be upon us.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

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Where Bo Nix ranks among Pac-12 QBs according to Athlon Sports

The Pac-12 will feature more than a handful of elite quarterback play in 2023. Where does Bo Nix rank among them?

It wasn’t long ago the Pac-12 was hurting for quality quarterback talent. But in 2023, the conference boasts the reigning Heisman Trophy winner in USC’s Caleb Williams, and next season, there could be four or five legit contenders for that coveted honor.

Athlon Sports went ahead and ranked the 12 projected starting quarterbacks that will lead the Conference of Champions in its last season in its current form. Both USC and UCLA are slated to bolt for the Big Ten in 2024.

Given the fact the Pac-12 will be vastly different very soon, 2023 could be the most competitive season in quite some time and elite quarterback play is a huge factor.

Besides Williams, Michael Penix, Bo Nix, Cameron Rising, and even Clemson transfer DJ Uiagalelei, who will be at Oregon State, could all claim a reason for going to New York after the regular season.

Forecasting what could prevent Texas football from reaching 10 wins

We look at what could keep the Longhorns from reaching 10 wins.

Texas should win 10 games in 2023. I predicted as much in my way-too-early record predictions. Continue reading “Forecasting what could prevent Texas football from reaching 10 wins”

Big 12 Football: Where Texas lands in Athlon Sports’ early power rankings for 2023

Athlon Sports has Texas atop their early 2023 power rankings of the 14 teams.

Winter conditioning workouts are underway for college football teams across the country and many are starting to look ahead to the upcoming season. Continue reading “Big 12 Football: Where Texas lands in Athlon Sports’ early power rankings for 2023”

Auburn’s transfer haul among SEC’s best

Hugh Freeze’s transfer portal recruiting impressed writers at one media outlet.

Auburn Football has seen an astonishing boost in recruiting since Hugh Freeze has taken over the program. Auburn currently has the No. 17 high school recruiting class for the 2023 cycle according to 247Sports and reeled in a top-five transfer portal class during the first window.

Now that recruiting has begun to wind down for the 2023 cycle, media outlets are starting to share their thoughts on how well each college football program did in their transfer portal recruiting efforts, including Auburn.

Athlon Sports recently dropped their SEC Football transfer portal rankings, where they have placed Auburn at the No. 3 spot, behind fellow SEC West foes LSU and Ole Miss.

Steven Lassan of Athlon Sports was pleased with Freeze’s ability to fill team needs in a short period of time.

This haul of transfers boosts Auburn’s chances of making marked improvement under new coach Hugh Freeze. Landing three Day 1 starters on the offensive line was crucial with the entire group in transition. (Brian) Battie and (Rivaldo) Fairweather add to a thin group of playmakers, with Battie capable of sharing carries with Jarquez Hunter. Depth is crucial to any defense in the SEC, and even if (Justin) Rogers, (Lawrence) Johnson, (Austin) Keys and (Demario) Tolan don’t start, Auburn just needed more talent on this side of the ball. These additions accomplish that, plus add starter-capable players in the front.

Auburn ranks No. 3 overall in 247Sports’ team transfer portal rankings, behind LSU and Florida State. The first window closed on Jan. 15 and will open again on May 1 for a 15-day period, meaning that Auburn could bring in more talented additions before the 2023 season begins.

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Oklahoma Sooners in the top 3 in Athlon Sports early 2023 power rankings

Athlon Sports has the Oklahoma Sooners in the Big 12’s top three for the 2023 season

We have officially reached prediction time for the far-off 2023 college football season. For Oklahoma Sooners fans, anything to think about other than the rough 2022 campaign is a welcome distraction. Our friends at Athlon Sports don’t have the Sooners at the top of the Big 12 next season, but fairly close.

Brent Venables and his staff have dealt with another exodus from the roster, but have filled key positions via the transfer portal. Venables’ success in the portal is one of the key points Steven Lassan raises when discussing the Sooners’ chances for next year. The Sooners come in at No. 3.

The first season under coach Brent Venables resulted in a 6-7 finish, but the Sooners should rebound into Big 12 title consideration in ’23. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel is back, and the one-two punch of Jovantae Barnes and Gavin Sawchuk is promising at running back. Restocking Gabriel’s weapons at receiver and improving along the offensive line top the list of priorities for coordinator Jeff Lebby. Oklahoma’s defense gave up 30 points a game in ’22, but an infusion of transfers – Linemen Rondell Bothroyd (Wake Forest), Trace Ford (Oklahoma State), and Jacob Lacey (Notre Dame) and linebacker Dasan McCullough (Indiana) – provide optimism for improvement next fall. Of Oklahoma’s seven losses, five came by seven or fewer points last year. – Lassan, Athlon Sports

Lassan had only Texas and TCU ahead of the Sooners in his early rankings for the Big 12.

To be frank, it can’t get worse for Brent Venables in year two. If it does get worse, then the Sooners will need to start asking some serious questions about their head coach.

Until then, seeing the Sooners back near the top of the Big 12 rankings will be a welcomed sight in 2023.

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Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today. You can also follow Ben on Twitter @bendackiw.