If the AP preseason All-America list is any indication, the SEC slate this season will be stacked with plenty of outstanding talent. The SEC has 12 first-team selections, the most by any conference. The next closest conference is the Big Ten with 7 selections.
No. 1 Texas landed 3 defensive players on the first-team: edge rusher Colin Simmons, linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. and safety Michael Taaffe. No. 8 Alabama is represented on the first team by offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor and wide receiver Ryan Williams.
Guard Ar’maj Reed-Adams (Texas A&M), center Jake Slaughter (Florida), tight end Eli Stowers (Vanderbilt), edge Dylan Stewart (South Carolina), linebacker West Weeks (LSU), cornerback Jermod McCoy (Tennessee), and punter Brett Thorson (Georgia) are the other SEC players on the first team.
Obviously, the accolades have to be backed up on the field. However with that first-team trio, Texas’ defense could be extremely dominant and stingy.
Last season, the Longhorns finished third nationally in points per game allowed (15.3). Texas will get an immediate test against high-powered No. 3 Ohio State when it heads to Columbus for its season opener on Aug. 30 (12 p.m. ET/FOX). The defending national champion Buckeyes averaged 35.7 points per game last season, which ranked 14th in the nation.
First team
Offense
Quarterback — Cade Klubnik, fourth year, Clemson.
Running backs — Jeremiyah Love, third year, Notre Dame; Nicholas Singleton, fourth year, Penn State.
Tackles — Spencer Fano, fourth year, Utah; Kadyn Proctor, third year, Alabama.
Guards — Olaivavega Ioane, fourth year, Penn State; Ar’maj Reed-Adams, sixth year, Texas A&M.
Center — Jake Slaughter, fifth year, Florida.
Tight end — Eli Stowers, fifth year, Vanderbilt.
Wide receivers — Jeremiah Smith, second year, Ohio State; Ryan Williams, second year, Alabama; Jordyn Tyson, fourth year, Arizona State.
All-purpose player — Desmond Reid, fourth year, Pittsburgh.
Kicker — Dominic Zvada, fourth year, Michigan.
Defense
Edge — Dylan Stewart, second year, South Carolina; Colin Simmons, second year, Texas.
Tackles — Peter Woods, third year, Clemson; Zane Durant, fourth year, Penn State.
Linebackers — Anthony Hill Jr., third year, Texas; West Weeks, fifth year, LSU; Kyle Louis, fourth year, Pittsburgh.
Cornerbacks — Leonard Moore, second year, Notre Dame; Jermod McCoy, third year, Tennessee.
Safeties — Caleb Downs, third year, Ohio State; Dillon Thieneman, third year, Oregon.
Defensive back — Michael Taaffe, fifth year, Texas.
Punter — Brett Thorson, fourth year, Georgia.
Second Team
Offense
Quarterback — Garrett Nussmeier, fifth year, LSU.
Running backs — Makhi Hughes, fourth year, Oregon; Isaac Brown, second year, Louisville.
Tackles — Francis Mauigoa, third year, Miami; Blake Miller, fourth year, Clemson.
Guards — Cayden Green, third year, Missouri; Keylan Rutledge, fourth year, Georgia Tech.
Center — Parker Brailsford, fourth year, Alabama.
Tight end — Max Klare, fourth year, Ohio State.
Wide receivers — Antonio Williams, fourth year, Clemson; Elijah Sarratt, fourth year, Indiana; Cam Coleman, second year, Auburn.
All-purpose player — Kaytron Allen, fourth year, Penn State.
Kicker — Peyton Woodring, third year, Georgia.
Defense
Edge — T.J. Parker, third year, Clemson; Matayo Uiagalelei, third year, Oregon.
Tackles — Tim Keenan III, fifth year, Alabama; Christen Miller, fourth year, Georgia.
Linebackers — Taurean York, third year, Texas A&M; Harold Perkins Jr., fourth year, LSU; Aiden Fisher, fourth year, Indiana.
Cornerbacks — Chandler Rivers, fourth year, Duke; D’Angelo Ponds, third year, Indiana.
Safeties — Koi Perich, second year, Minnesota; KJ Bolden, second year, Georgia.
Defensive back — Jalon Kilgore, third year, South Carolina.
Punter — Ryan Eckley, fourth year, Michigan State.
