ESPN's "Way-Too-Early" All-American team
While most of us are still basking in the glow of the National Championship, the rest of the college football world is already looking forward to next season. We have preseason rankings, preseason Heisman favorites, preseason All-American teams, etc. Of course, none of these really matter, but it’s always fun to look at the projections.
ESPN has put out it’s Way-Too-Early All-American team. Here are the most represented teams (and Colorado).
- OSU: 6
- Alabama: 5
- Georgia: 5
- Michigan: 4
- Colorado: 2 (Travis Hunter and Travis Hunter)
Here’s the full list (I only included the blurbs for Michigan players).
OFFENSE
QB: Carson Beck, Georgia
- Second team: Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
RB: Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
- Second team: Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
RB: TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
- Second team: Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
WR: Luther Burden III, Missouri
- Second team: Tory Horton, Colorado State
WR: Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
- Second team: Tre Harris, Ole Miss
TE: Colston Loveland, Michigan
The 6-foot-5 Loveland bulked up to 245 pounds and emerged as a staple in the Wolverines' offense on their way to the national championship. He finished third on the team with 45 catches, averaging 14.4 yards per catch, and hauled in four touchdown receptions while earning first-team All-Big Ten honors. There will be several high-quality tight ends around the country in 2024, but Loveland's skills as both a receiver and blocker pushed him to the top of the list.
- Second team: Brant Kuithe, Utah
OT: Will Campbell, LSU
- Second team: Earnest Greene, Georgia
OG: Tate Ratledge, Georgia
- Second team: Tyler Booker, Alabama
C: Parker Brailsford, Alabama
- Second team: Tyler Booker, Alabama
OG: Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
- Second team: Dylan Fairchild, Georgia
OT: Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas
- Second team: Ajani Cornelius, Oregon
All-Purpose: Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
- Second team: Travis Hunter, Colorado
DEFENSE
DE: James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
- Second team: Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
DT: Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
- Second team: Howard Cross III, Notre Dame
DT: Mason Graham, Michigan
Graham was an integral piece of a Michigan defense that was the backbone of the Wolverines' national championship team. He returns as one of the top interior defensive linemen in college football after earning first-team All-Big Ten honors. The 6-3, 318-pound Graham played with a broken thumb through much of last season and was at his best in the postseason.
- Second team: Deone Walker, Kentucky
DE: Ashton Gillotte, Louisville
- Second team: Landon Jackson, Arkansas
LB: Harold Perkins, LSU
- Second team: Jay Higgins, Iowa
LB: Deontae Lawson, Alabama
- Second team: Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma
LB: Barrett Carter, Clemson
- Second team: Abdul Carter, Penn State
CB: Travis Hunter, Colorado
- Second team: Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame
CB: Will Johnson, Michigan
In 2023, Johnson went from being one of the best freshmen in the country to one of the best cornerbacks in the country. He's poised to be even better next season after earning consensus first-team All-Big Ten honors. Johnson (6-2, 202) has great size for a cornerback and didn't give up any touchdowns in 321 coverage snaps. He was the defensive MVP in the national championship game.
- Second team: Denzel Burke, Ohio State
S: Caleb Downs, Ohio State
- Second team: Xavier Watts, Notre Dame
S: Malaki Starks, Georgia
- Second team: Rod Moore, Michigan
SPECIAL TEAMS
K: Graham Nicholson, Miami (Ohio)
- Second team: Andres Borregales, Miami
P: Alex Mastromanno, Florida State
- Second team: James Burnip, Alabama
Returner: Zachariah Branch, USC
- Second team: Barion Brown, Kentucky
January 24th, 2024 at 10:17 AM ^
Big Will Campbell! Knew the switch to O-line would pay off for him...just not at LSU
...ok ok downvote away but this was an admittedly subpar attempt at humor, not a 'this guy lives in a world where UM's Will Campbell apparently is NCAA-tenure-tracked'
January 24th, 2024 at 10:20 AM ^
Don't park on the street in Baton Rouge next year.
January 24th, 2024 at 10:37 AM ^
Slight correction: Don't park on the street in Baton Rouge, ever. 😊
January 24th, 2024 at 11:12 AM ^
Him attempting to pull a Dukes of Hazzard sliding across the hood of a car was admittedly a dumb decision on his part, but you really can't help but laugh at the thought of him trying.
College kid doing college things.
January 24th, 2024 at 12:13 PM ^
You can say that again!
January 24th, 2024 at 11:12 AM ^
Him attempting to pull a Dukes of Hazzard sliding across the hood of a car was admittedly a dumb decision on his part, but you really can't help but laugh at the thought of him trying.
College kid doing college things.
January 24th, 2024 at 10:18 AM ^
Looks like the blurb for Rod Moore is missing. I'd post it but ESPN is blocked on my work computer.
January 24th, 2024 at 10:21 AM ^
They only did a blurb for the 1st team.
January 24th, 2024 at 4:07 PM ^
If ESPN of all things is blocked on your computer then you need a new job. That's ridiculous.
January 24th, 2024 at 5:30 PM ^
unless he works for our athletic department
January 24th, 2024 at 10:19 AM ^
LOL that Kenneth Grant isn't on this list. That's fine, it is obvious that he needs at least 2 more years to prepare for the NFL...... /s
January 24th, 2024 at 11:29 AM ^
Clearly they never saw him run down a RB in the open field.
January 24th, 2024 at 10:19 AM ^
Never mind, I see Rod Moore down there.
What a Defense.
January 24th, 2024 at 10:19 AM ^
I have a hard time believing Kenneth Grant won't be one of the top 4 DTs in the country next year, but outside of that at least our representation seems fair. We have a lot of confidence in the roster around here but from a national perspective there are a lot of unproven commodities. Lil' Parker Brailsford first team center though? Michael Penix Jr. might place his vote elsewhere.
January 24th, 2024 at 11:31 AM ^
I'm waiting for a Gus, "Ray-Sean-Ben-Eee" call and I don't care what "all team" he gets.
January 24th, 2024 at 10:20 AM ^
I'm still basking in the NC - and will continue that until game week of the opener - so, about August 25th.
This being said - I'm looking forward to the Spring game - how Michigan can maintain the culture - and this preseason recognition - especially on defense, is fun to peruse.
Go Blue!
P.S. OSU, Georgia, and Bama at the top of the list isn't a surprise. Those three teams will most likely be the Top Three in 247's Team Talent Composite for the '24 season.
January 24th, 2024 at 11:31 AM ^
Money might not be able to buy championships, but it can buy all the preseason hype in the world.
January 24th, 2024 at 11:52 AM ^
I agree. Hopefully, OSU will be favored in The Game. There's nothing quite like having the analysts / pundits think that Michigan doesn't have a chance.
During this season's CFP - it was wonderful that most everyone felt "there's no way Michigan can slow down Bama or defend Milroe" - as well as thoughts about "Washington's passing game and Joe Moore award winning OL will be too much for Michigan to answer."
Looking forward to every media outlet praising the Buckeyes and their amazing roster.
The team, The Team, THE TEAM.
Go Blue!
January 24th, 2024 at 12:29 PM ^
There's nothing quite like having the analysts / pundits think that Michigan doesn't have a chance.
The Bucks came to bury the Wolverines
But Michigan wasn’t dead!
January 24th, 2024 at 2:56 PM ^
That was a spectacular line! Along with "...they buried Woody Hayes instead!!!!"
January 24th, 2024 at 4:33 PM ^
And when they closed the coffin,
it was someone else instead!😉
22 men of Michigan put on the gloves of maize,
and as Fettig leads The Victors,
they laid Ryan Day away!
January 24th, 2024 at 12:23 PM ^
money usually does buy rings though. michigan was the anomaly as a champion that didnt break the bank on high school recruiting
January 24th, 2024 at 12:09 PM ^
If the transfer portal provides one positive perspective, it’s that we might see a reduction in the stockpiling of talent at skill positions across the top P5 programs, especially for players who care less about the NIL paycheck and more about playing time.
I’m honestly shocked that OSU has been as successful in their transfer pursuits as you only have so much playing time to go around and I imagine their highest rated recruits have got to be looking elsewhere.
January 24th, 2024 at 10:21 AM ^
Excuse me, but guy who couldn't get the job over Sir Can't Snap The Damn Ball is an All-American now? (Booker)
We abused Brailsford but with some added weight I can see it.
January 24th, 2024 at 10:59 AM ^
had the same reaction...like...wut? You're telling me there's not two centers in America better than the backup do the dude who sucked?
January 24th, 2024 at 11:42 AM ^
Brailsford followed DeBoer from Washington. He started for them.
January 24th, 2024 at 12:47 PM ^
I feel like it makes your list useless if you put two guys, from the same team, at a singular position, as 1 & 2 on your preseason AA list. Show me where the guys splitting snaps have ever both been AA's?! It just comes across as lazy.
It's also satisfying knowing that Michigan's DT's worked them both
January 24th, 2024 at 10:25 AM ^
IF Michigan doesn’t win it (I said IF) I think Georgia easily outclasses OSU. Georgia is stacked again and I think OSU is getting the benefit of having the hype train around their recent portal signings.
January 24th, 2024 at 10:36 AM ^
The issue with OSU is not talent, it is perspective. Ohio State views it as unfathomable that they lose to Michigan, so they consistently overreact by making "big moves" in response to it. Honda McCord was starting to look like at least a CRV, which..... ya know, sometimes a CRV is exactly what you need. I think they really should have tried to hold on to him for continuity, and that shuffling the deck again is ultimately going to result in another loss.
January 24th, 2024 at 11:29 AM ^
I think the thing with Ohio State is it’s not at all clear that they’ve upgraded at QB
https://x.com/ryan_mccrystal/status/1742623671649178076?s=46&t=QbxrWtEaCS2wqoCERaDR2w
I also think they aren’t where they need to be on the offensive line.
It’s also unclear how it’s going to work with Bill O’Brien calling the plays as opposed to Day. Though I’m sort of half convinced at this point that it was Kevin Wilson who was the real brains of the offense, not Day.
January 24th, 2024 at 10:38 AM ^
^^^ This. A great comment that I agree with.
The primary question I have about Georgia for this season is - how effectively will the "alternatives" to Bowers mature. Bowers was one of the most important aspects of Georgia's offense - both the ground and air game.
Georgia has talent that can receive the ball. Beck looked fine this season. The key will be maturity and growth in the passing game.
Georgia's schedule also has a few interesting games three of which are on the road - at Bama (which I think Georgia wins), at Texas (which should be a great game worth watching), and at Ole Miss. They open against Clemson (in Atlanta) and will finish SEC conference play in middle November - finishing their season with home games against UMass and Georgia Tech.
January 24th, 2024 at 10:40 AM ^
That is a sexy opener in Atlanta. Can't wait for Labor Day.
January 24th, 2024 at 11:48 AM ^
The Georgia v Clemson opener will draw a lot of eyes - however, I think the luster is off of Dabo and Clemson. My guess is that Clemson will start the season 0-1, while Georgia will try to make a statement. It could be very ugly.
Looking at the Clemson schedule - a couple of things. Clemson is ranked 19th in ESPN's way too early preseason poll. First - they play at FSU (preseason 16 according to ESPN), and - hosting Stanford (a new member of the ACC). Second, their schedule isn't exactly compelling - with two other "Top 25" matchups - hosting both NC State (20th) and Louisville (22nd).
According ESPN's Way Too Early Top 25 - the highest ranked non-B1G / SEC teams are Arizona at 9th and ND at 10th. So - the B1G and SEC are positioned to have a strong presence during the '24 season.
January 24th, 2024 at 1:07 PM ^
I live in Georgia and am friends with a former UGA great (who occasionally passes along some insider tidbits). Georgia is the smart money next year. Yes their schedule is difficult but Kirby Smart is different. He is not Day. This guy is a proven winner and single minded in a way I think few other coaches are (think Saban but 25 years younger). He is not leaving for the NFL. He is not moving to another school for a bigger check. Returning an experienced star QB is the single biggest advantage in college football and Beck is already looking like a top 10 pick. I would not be shocked to see OSU have a great year and be in the running but I don't think they can keep up with Georgia.
January 24th, 2024 at 10:39 AM ^
Remember, everyone: If OSU "breaks through" next year and ends the multi-year drought against UM, it will be because they obviously purchased their team (as opposed to the semi-obvious purchases they've been making since the Tressel years and probably beyond). :)
Once again, I'd like to know what sports journalists get (Hookers? Blow? Steak? All of the above?) when they travel to Columbus. There's no end to the good PR for that program.
January 24th, 2024 at 10:45 AM ^
OSU is bringing in a 5 star freshman to replace a 5 star junior who couldn't get it done, and is bringing in a 5 star safety that didn't make a difference on a more talented and MUCH better coached team. They can have their hype.
January 24th, 2024 at 11:37 AM ^
For the '23 season - Bama had 18 five star players, and O$U had ten. Michigan had two (2).
I liked the on the field results of both the O$U and Bama games last season.
It seems probable that the Buckeyes will have more five star talent this season - than they had in '23.
As we all know - it's not only a player's ceiling - it's development - scheme - smarts - culture - and quality of execution.
Go Blue!
January 24th, 2024 at 12:51 PM ^
I liked the on the field results of both the O$U and Bama games last season.
That's good and all, but Michigan isn't bringing, JJ McCarthy, Blake Corum, Roman Wilson, Cornelius Johnson, AJ Barner, Karsen Barnhart, LaDarius Henderson, Trente Jones, Trevor Keegan, Zak Zinter, Drake Nugent, Kris Jenkins, Jaylen Harrell, Braiden McGregor, Michael Barrett, Junior Colson, Josh Wallace and Mike Sainrisitl with them to Columbus in 2024. The on-field results playing O$U in 2023, may not be the same in 2024. This isn't even addressing who the head coach and say the defensive coordinator will be in 2024.
January 24th, 2024 at 3:42 PM ^
Add kicker James Turner and long snapper William Wagner to those who won’t be playing for Michigan in Columbus next season AND . . . the possibility that Michigan will have a different head coach, defensive coordinator and special teams coach in 2024, then it’s reasonable to think it will be very hard for Michigan to beat Ohio State next season with a completely new, less experienced and possibly less talented offense (except for the only returning starter, Colston Loveland and running back Donovan Edwards).
January 24th, 2024 at 1:29 PM ^
Coaches under enormous pressure + mercenary players who are soft = recipe for disaster.
January 24th, 2024 at 10:30 AM ^
Will Campbell is still in school???
January 24th, 2024 at 3:12 PM ^
Luther Campbell's son and lives up to his Pop's wise words, "Don't stop, get it get it!"
January 24th, 2024 at 10:34 AM ^
My son got pictures with both Loveland and Moore at Somerset. I am definitely hanging onto both because I think they could be significant collectors items at some point. Loveland, particularly.
January 24th, 2024 at 11:16 AM ^
An amazing dad would say that you are holding onto that picture because it may be worth something in the future because of your son ;)
January 24th, 2024 at 10:35 AM ^
These lists are always dumb, especially this early. But question, when was the last time a team had two All American running backs? They have both Ohio st RBs. That seems extremely unlikely almost impossible?
January 24th, 2024 at 10:41 AM ^
If Ohio State calls enough runs this year for their backs to even qualify…they win the Championship.
I swear to the almighty spaghetti monstrosity that Day and Harbaugh have exactly opposite philosophy: Day will lean on his QBs and WRs to a fault even when he has NFL talent at RB. Harbaugh will lean on his running game to a fault even when he has NFL talent at QB and WR. Whoever tiptoes toward a balanced offense first wins.
Oh, and I’m not so sure about Loveland on this list. Great receiver, for sure. But when a block NEEDED to be made this past year, we went with Barner. My hot take is that Barner was secretly TE1 basically all year.
January 24th, 2024 at 10:42 AM ^
Hedging their bet?
January 24th, 2024 at 10:45 AM ^
Alabama has 2 centers on the list also lol
January 24th, 2024 at 11:17 AM ^
Who could not start in front of the worst center in NCAA history. Maybe that is why Saban retired, he no longer could see/judge.
January 24th, 2024 at 12:58 PM ^
Oh, those comments were so funny until someone realizes that last season, Parker Brailsford didn't play for Nick Saban and Alabama, he was part of the Joe Moore award winning line at Washington.