'06 All-American team

Jimmy Chitwood

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i know it's a little late, so sue me.
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but i had to make some changes after Kyle Bell got hurt, and it's a down year for defensive linemen. check out my list, and discuss amongst yourselves. i'm sure i've made a few choices you don't like. also, i didn't elaborate on the O-linemen because most of you don't care, and because it takes a lot of work. ha!

i went with an unconventional look this year, with two tight ends and one RB on my first team offense to take advantage of the talent out there. i set up a 4-2-5 first team D and a 3-4 second team D for the same reason. so here goes:

First team Offense:
Quarterback
Brady Quinn, Sr. Notre Dame: The class of college quarterbacks, Quinn has all the physical tools. Expected to blow up even more this season after showing his ability last year, the first in the Weis era. Blessed with a head coach with a great offensive mind, one of the best wide receivers in the country, and amazing talent all his own, Quinn is likely to break every passing record in Notre Dame history.

Running Back
Brian Leonard, Sr. Rutgers: Often called a tailback/fullback hybrid, Leonard is really the nation's most complete running back. Hard for most pundits to describe because of his ability to block like a top-tier fullback while possessing the athleticism of an elite tailback, and more disturbingly being white. The most dominant player in the Big East conference for the past two seasons, Leonard has almost single-handedly put Rutgers football on the map. An incredibly unselfish player, Leonard has sacrificed his own number of carries in order to block (and make a name) for his less talented backfield mate. Additionally, he was the leading receiver for the Scarlet Knights a year ago. Known for the Leonard Leap, where he jumps over defensive players who are unwilling to hit him head on and choose to go for his knees.

Wide Receiver
Jeff Samardzija, Sr. Notre Dame: A superstar player for a high profile team, Samardzija is an extremely rare bird: a white, two-sport athlete who gets media attention. He is a defensive back's nightmare. Arguably the best wide receiver in Notre Dame football history, Samardzija certainly had the most dominant single season of any Fighting Irish receiver. Ever. The 6'5" thoroughbred scampers through opposing secondaries like he's matched up against children. Tall, fast, with great hands and leaping ability, Samardzija deserves all of the recognition that he has received.

Todd Blythe, Jr. Iowa State: The anti-Jeff Samardzija. Blythe is just as remarkable as his more famous counterpart, but plays for media afterthought Iowa State. For those who have never seen him play, imagine Samardzija last year. Now add in the fact that Blythe is a year younger, and he did the same thing as a freshman. All the superlatives that Samardzija earns can be applied to Blythe: tall, fast, great hands and leaping ability. If he was on TV more, he might be the rock star. As it is he's just the other best wide receiver in the country.

Tight End
Todd Blythe">Greg Olsen</a>, Jr. Miami: The most dangerous player on Miami's roster. A wide receiver's speed and hands in a tight end's body with a linebacker's attitude, Olsen is the next in the line (and possibly at the front of the line, as well) of great Hurricane tight ends. A reliable blocker, Olsen is equally at home when split out wide. Physical enough to go across the middle and make a catch in traffic and fast enough to stretch defenses, Olsen is a match-up problem on every play.

Zach Miller, Jr. Arizona State: If Olsen isn't the best tight end in the deep tight end talent pool across the country this season, then the title goes to Miller. A more traditional tight end, Miller is still a dynamic presence. As a frosh, Miller broke the ASU record for receptions in a season by a tight end with 56, which also tied the NCAA mark for the position. He also produced 552 receiving yards and six touchdowns. A freshman All-American, Miller has just kept getting better despite battling injuries.

Offensive Tackle
Sam Baker, Jr. USC:

Joe Thomas, Sr. Wisconsin:

Offensive Guard
Will Arnold, Jr. LSU:

Mike Jones, Sr. Iowa:

Center
Dan Mozes, Sr. WVU:

Second team Offense:
Quarterback
Brian Brohm, Jr. Louisville: Already plastered all over the Louisville record books, Brohm hopes to return from a knee injury that prematurely ended his sophomore season. Showcasing a strong, accurate throwing arm with brilliant decision making skills, Brohm attained a 68.8 completion percentage last year. Finished the year totaling 2,883 passing yards and earning Big East Offensive Player of the Year honors. Brohm was second in the nation in passing efficiency a year ago. Most importantly he's a winner, compiling an 8-2 record as a starter.

Running Back
Owen Schmitt, Sr. WVU: Combo back Owen Schmitt is a throwback to the old school fullbacks. A hulking, intimidating, physical freak of nature, Schmitt is one of the strongest players in all of college football (he power cleans 480 pounds). Obviously a powerful blocker and between the tackles runner, Schmitt didn't lose yardage on a single carry last season, but he is also surprisingly fleet of foot. He possessed the highest per carry average of any WVU back last season as well as owning the longest run from scrimmage.

Peyton Hillis, Jr. Arkansas: Often considered just a fullback because of his skin color, Hillis is actually just a rarely complete running back. Possessing a fullback's body, tailback's speed (4.49 40), receiver's hands (he led the Razorbacks in receiving a year ago), and offensive guard's blocking ability, Hillis might be the most versatile player in the college game today. While he is listed as a starter at fullback for the Razorbacks, he is used extensively as a tailback and kick returner as well as being the Hogs' primary punt returner.

Wide Receiver
Eric Deslauriers, Sr. Eastern Michigan: Already owning every Eagle receiving record, Deslauriers returns for a senior year poised to put his career numbers forever out of reach as the team's lone threat in the passing game. Deslauriers has hauled in 174 career passes for 2,352 yards and 22 touchdowns in 30 career starts, and enters this season ranked second nationally in Division 1-A among returning players in receptions, fifth in receiving yards, and fourth in scoring. Another tall, rangy target with "deceptive" speed, Deslauriers just needs consistency from his two inexperienced Qbs in order to make a run for the title of nation's best receiver.

Jordy Nelson, Jr. Kansas State: Among the fastest receivers in the nation, Nelson has done wonders since switching over from the defensive backfield. Took over as K-State's best receiver early in '05, leading the Wildcats with 45 catches for 669 yards and eight touchdowns, and has never looked back, probably because he knows no one can catch him. With K-State's proposed more open attack, expect Nelson to be giving Big 12 defensive backs fits all season.

Tight End
Joe Newton, Sr. Oregon State: Despite being on an unsuccessful team and battling injuries, Newton looks to resume his spot among the nation's elite tight ends. Coming off a knee injury that erased his '05 season, expect Newton to put up numbers like he did in '04 when he caught 56 passes for 687 yards and seven touchdowns.

Offensive Tackle
Doug Free, Sr. NIU

Jake Long, Sr. Michigan

Offensive Guard
Jordan Grimes, Jr. Purdue

Dan Santucci, Sr. Notre Dame

Center
Ryan Kalil, Sr. USC

First team Defense:
Defensive Line
Defensive tackle Quinn Pitc ock, Sr. Ohio State: The undisputed leader of the Buckeyes defense. Arguably the best interior defensive lineman in the country. Has 94 career tackles and incredible athleticism. Has a 36 inch vertical even thought he weighs nearly 300 pounds.

Defensive end Chris Long,Jr. Virginia: A first-team All-American for a lot of people, Long is considered the most dominant lineman in the ACC. His sack total isn't that impressive (he had just two last season) but he is the only real threat on the Cavaliers defensive line, so the number is very misleading. He still managed an incredible 26 quarterback hurries a year ago, and showcased his incredible athleticism tying for the team-high in pass breakups with seven.

Defensive end Dan Bazuin, Sr. Central Michigan: Led the nation in tackles for loss a year ago and was second in sacks. Holds the school record for both before he takes his first snap of the season.

Defensive end Adam Carriker, Sr. Nebraska: The Cornhuskers led the nation in sacks last year. Carriker led the Cornhuskers.

Linebacker
Paul Posluszny, Sr. Penn State: The best linebacker in the country last year. This year is no different.

Korey Hall, Sr. Boise State: The best defensive player in a conference usually only noted for its offense. Hall is doing his part to change that.

Defensive Back
Cornerback Eric Weddle, Sr. Utah: The best defensive back in the country. Period.

Cornerback Jordan Peterson, Fr. Texas A&M: Blindingly fast, Peterson is already considered by many to be the Aggies' best defensive back. The sky is the limit for this youngster.

Safety Tom Zbikowski, Sr. Notre Dame: A safety with cornerback speed who packs a punch when he arrives, literally.

Safety John Wendling, Sr. Wyoming: Playing for Wyoming has made his talent nearly unknown, but he is possibly the fastest defensive back in the nation, consistently running sub 4.4. 40 times. And he knows what to do when he gets to the ball, as illustrated by his 164 tackles in 6 interceptions over the last two seasons.

Safety Sabby Piscitelli, Sr. Oregon State: A tremendously physical safety at 6'3", 224-pounds, Piscitelli plays the game like he's mad at the world and wants to make the offense pay for it. You could say he hits like a ton of bricks, but bricks don't generally come at you as quickly as arguably the fastest player on Oregon State's roster. Has even played some corner, and his 10 career picks are tops in the Pac-10.

Second team Defense:
Defensive Line
Defensive tackle Nick Hayden, Jr. Wisconsin: Led all Big-10 defensive linemen in tackles last year with 56, while leading the Buckeyes in sacks (5) and fumble recoveries (3).

Defensive end Chase Ortiz, Jr. Texas Christian: Ended the season leading the Mountain West Conference in sacks after starting the year third string on TCU's depth chart. His nine sacks led the league, and his 14.5 tackles for loss tied for the conference lead, as well. Showed dramatic improvement as the season went on, including going out with a bang in the Horned Frogs' bowl game with 3.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage including 2.5 sacks. One of the fast "black" athletes that Air Force's head coach was so enamored of a year ago. Ha!

Defensive tackle Joseph Anoai, Sr. Georgia tech: Anchors the Number 1 defensive line in the ACC.

Linebacker
Dan Connor, Jr. Penn State: After a freshman All-American season, Connor started the last seven games of his sophomore season a year ago and responded very impressively. He finished the year with 76 tacklesand broke up eight passes. Teams up with Paul Posluszny and Tim Shaw to form the most dominant line backing corps in the country.

James Laurinaitis, Soph. Ohio State: Earned playing time behind All-American Bobby Carpenter last season as a true frosh, then made everyone forget about Carpenter when he took over after Bobby broke his ankle. Fast, smart, and tough, Laurinaitis should be the next great Buckeye linebacker.

Corey McKeon, Jr. Nebraska: Coming out of nowhere to earn the starting middle linebacker spot for the Cornhuskers last year, McKeon quickly made himself well known. He led the Huskers in '05 with 98 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, and three interceptions. His seven sacks also ranked second on the team. Expect nothing less than an improved performance this season.

Brian Toal, Jr. Boston College: Versatile player who can play all three linebacker spots as well as short-yardage running back. Former Big East Rookie of the Year has been the foundation for the Golden eagle defense since assuming the starting role early in his freshman year. Toal has attained cult status with the BC fans for his running ability, and now goal-line possessions are referred to as First-and-Toal.

Defensive Back
Cornerback Zach Catanese, Sr. Arizona State: Technically listed as a safety for the Wildcats, Catanese has unsurpassed versatility. Combining elite athleticism with tremendous size (6'2", 230-pounds), Catanese is the leading returning tackler in the Pac-10 with 107 total tackles. Can play safety or corner and return kicks with equal skill.

Cornerback Nick Sanchez, Sr. Stanford: Extremely talented and physical shutdown corner. That is clear when you consider the 71 tackles he recorded a year ago. Incredibly clutch defender, comes up with the big play when the defense needs it, as evidenced by his two interceptions a season ago: both sealed victories, over Navy and Washington State respectively. Almost never thrown at, the surest sign of talent at cornerback.

Safety Joe Sturdivant, Sr. Southern Methodist: You wanna talk about underrated? the senior was only second-team Conference USA last year, despite leading his team and the league in pass breakups (14) and he led his team (and was fourth in the league) in tackles with 112. He didn't just lead his team in tackles, he had 33 more than the next closest guy!

Safety Joe Stellmacher, Sr. Wisconsin: Think John Lynch, if he still had college eligibility. Everyone says Stellmacher is too slow, too small, too white. But he always seems to arrive when the ball gets there and make the play, meaning he's plenty fast enough. Stellmacher is just a tremendous football player.

First team Specialists:
Kicker Mason Crosby, Sr. Colorado
Punter Ken DeBauche, Jr. Wisconsin
Kick Returner Scott Mayle, Sr. Ohio
Punt Returner Tom Zbikowski, Sr. Notre Dame

Second team Specialists:
Kicker Brandon Coutu, Jr. Georgia
Punter Daniel Sepulveda, Sr. Baylor
Kick Returner McKay Jacobson, Fr. BYU
Punt Returner Hoost Marsh, Jr. Wyoming

Edited by: Jimmy Chitwood
 

jaxvid

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WOW, great job as always JC. Someday your college write up will be the cover story for the fall Caste Fooball Annual College report magazine.
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Don Wassall

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In spite of the best efforts of the Caste System, there is an impressive array of white talent at the "taboo" positions, as strong as I can remember ina number ofyears. Leonard, Schmitt and Hillis at "fullback," Samardzija, Blythe and a number of other wide receivers. What a shame Kyle Bell can't be on the list until next season. And tight end is a very strong position this year as White Tornado noted in another thread, also safety. Linebacker seems to be getting better too.


Now we have to wait and seeif the NFL will successfullythwart most or all of these very talented and capable playersat the "whites need not apply" positions from having a pro career.
 

whiteCB

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Great list and LB James Laurinitus is definitly a player to keep an eye on(great genes). Although look out for WR Anthony Gonzalez as I think he'll have a better season than Jordy Nelson.
 
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