Published August 9, 2012 - 1:00pm
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SI.com released their 2012 Preseason All-Americans, and 10 different players from the SEC made the first team on offense, defense and special teams.
Here is the complete first team:
Offense
QB Matt Barkley, USC
RB Montee Ball, Wisconsin
RB Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina
WR Robert Woods, USC
WR Sammy Watkins, Clemson
TE Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame
OT Ricky Wagner, Wisconsin
OG Jonathan Cooper, UNC
C Barrett Jones, Alabama
OG Chance Warmack, Alabama
OT Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M
Defense
DE Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina
DT Kawann Short, Purdue
DT Star Lotulelei, Utah
DE Sam Montgomery, LSU
LB Jarvis Jones, Georgia
LB Manti Te’o, Notre Dame
LB Chase Thomas, Stanford
CB Tyrann Mathieu, LSU
CB David Amerson, NC State
S TJ McDonald, USC
S Eric Reid, LSU
Special Teams
K Quinn Sharp, Oklahoma State
P Brad Wing, LSU
R Tyrann Mathieu, LSU
AP De’Anthony Thomas, Oregon
Wow is this a popularity contest or is it actually based on performance?…IMO Matheiu is not a good enough corner to make the defensive team. I have a hunch we won’t be talking about him after this year, hell hes not even the best corner on his team. Lattimore was a stud in 2010 but after Spurrier ran him into the ground, hes coming back from an ACL blowout that sidelined him for half of 2011. Im gonna hafta see him lace em up on Saturdays again before im ready to christen him “All American” again
I agree with you about the cover-corner part, but you can’t discount the plays he makes – like him or not. The forced fumbles, interceptions and punt returns make him a playmaker. I’m not too fond of him either, but you have to give him his due respect. The guy is playmaker.
He has a knack for stripping the ball and being opportunistic…and hes decent DB…but its also got a lot to do with the defensive schemes and the talent around him. He isn’t just always around the ball due to his own prowess. Not All American/Heisman worthy at DB IMO…No argument with the Special Teams spot though.
It will be interesting to see how he does now with possibly a big stepdown in schemes and talent.
Pot Possum? I don’t think so! He got exposed in the BCSNC. He’s too short to play corner. Punt returns–sure; but not corner.