Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young, star linebacker Will Anderson and four other Alabama standouts lead the USA TODAY Sports preseason All-America team heading into the 2022 campaign.
Young earned first-team honors over Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, as the two juniors prepare to contend for this year’s Heisman and the national championship.
Joining Young on the first-team offense are two junior running backs from the Big 12, Bijan Robinson (Texas) and Deuce Vaughn (Kansas State), and new Southern California wide receiver Jordan Addison, an offseason transfer from Pittsburgh.
On defense, Anderson is the headliner of a group that also features two Clemson linemen, Myles Murphy and Bryan Bresee, and Iowa cornerback Riley Moss.
Other teams with multiple selections are Notre Dame and Georgia with four, Ohio State with three, and Baylor, Clemson, Iowa, Kansas State, Michigan and USC with two.
All-America picks from the Group of Five include Army linebacker Andre Carter II, Houston wide receiver Nathaniel Dell and Brigham Young offensive tackle Blake Freeland.
FIRST TEAM
Offense
QB: Bryce Young, Alabama (Jr.)
As the reigning Heisman winner, Young gets the nod over Stroud after throwing for 4,872 and 47 touchdowns in a memorable 2021 season.
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RB: Bijan Robinson, Texas (Jr.)
RB: Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State (Jr.)
If healthy, Robinson gives Texas and its offense a shot at making a home in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll. Vaughn (1,404 rushing yards in 2021) does it all for the Wildcats and is the program’s best at the position since former All-America pick Darren Sproles.
WR: Jordan Addison, Southern California (Jr.)
WR: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State (Jr.)
TE: Brock Bowers, Georgia (So.)
Addison should pick up where he left off at Pittsburgh as new Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams’ favorite target. Smith-Njigba takes over the mantle of the Buckeyes’ top target as Ohio State reloads without two first-round receivers. Bowers (56 catches for 882 yards) was a revelation as a freshman and will be even better in his second season.
OL: Connor Galvin, Baylor (Sr.)
OL: Caleb Chandler, Louisville (Sr.)
OL: Jarrett Patterson, Notre Dame (Sr.)
OL: Olusegun Oluwatimi, Michigan (Sr.)
OL: Paris Johnson, Ohio State (Jr.)
Galvin mans the blindside for the Bears and is the top offensive lineman in the Big 12. Chandler blossomed during the second half of last season and has flourished in the run game and as a pass protector. Patterson is the veteran anchor of Notre Dame’s front and draws first-team honors over Minnesota senior John Michael Schmitz. Oluwatimi transferred in from Virginia to give Michigan another piece to defend its Big Ten crown. Johnson will transition from the interior to tackle and not miss a beat.
DEFENSE
DL: Myles Murphy, Clemson (Jr.)
DL: Bryan Bresee, Clemson (Jr.)
DL: Jalen Carter, Georgia (Jr.)
DL: Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame (Sr.)
If they can remain healthy, Murphy and Bresee are the most dominant line pair in the country and one major reason why the Tigers may surge back into the College Football Playoff. With so much production gone from last year’s defense, the Bulldogs are looking for Carter (37 tackles, 8½ for loss) to be the program’s next superstar. Foskey’s 11 sacks last season were the third most in a season in school history.
LB: Will Anderson, Alabama (Jr.)
LB: Noah Sewell, Oregon (Jr.)
LB: Andre Carter II, Army (Sr.)
The numbers don’t do Anderson’s impact justice; he’s not only the top defender in the country but very likely the best player regardless of position. Sewell (114 tackles in 2021) has been supremely productive since stepping on campus and should take his game to another level in new coach Dan Lanning’s system. Carter (15½ sacks) is Army’s top NFL prospect in years, if not decades.
CB: Riley Moss, Iowa (Sr.)
CB: Kelee Ringo, Georgia (So.)
S: Jordan Battle, Alabama (Jr.)
S: Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M (Jr.)
Moss is a ball-hawking defensive back who fits perfectly in Iowa’s defensive scheme. Last season sealing Georgia’s national title, Ringo has shown an ability to lock down his slice of the field and make things even easier for the Bulldogs’ front seven and pass rush. Two SEC safeties lead the charge: Battle is the senior leader for the nation’s top-ranked team and Johnson has the tools and increasing experience to be a difference maker for the Aggies.
Special teams
K: Harrison Mevis, Missouri (Jr.)
P: Adam Korsak, Rutgers (Sr.)
RET: Malik Knowles, Kansas State (Sr.)
Mevis missed just two field goals last season and was particularly effective from outside of 40 yards. Korsak has gotten plenty of practice as Rutgers’ punter and put these reps to good use, leading the Bowl Subdivision last season in net yardage. Knowles averaged 33.1 yards per kick return last season with two scores.
SECOND TEAM
Offense
QB: C.J. Stroud, Ohio State (Jr.)
RB: Braelon Allen, Wisconsin (So.)
RB: Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama (Jr.)
WR: Nathaniel Dell, Houston (Jr.)
WR: A.T. Perry, Wake Forest (Jr.)
TE: Michael Mayer, Notre Dame (Jr.)
OL: Blake Freeland, Brigham Young (Jr.)
OL: Andrew Vorhees, Southern California (Sr.)
OL: John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota (Sr.)
OL: Emil Ekiyor, Alabama (Sr.)
OL: Peter Skoronski, Northwestern (Jr.)
Defense
DL: Will McDonald IV, Iowa State (Sr.)
DL: Siaki Ika, Baylor (Jr.)
DL: Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh (Jr.)
DL: Collin Oliver, Oklahoma State (So.)
LB: Jack Campbell, Iowa (Sr.)
LB: Carlton Martial, Troy (Sr.)
LB: Nolan Smith, Georgia (Sr.)
CB: Eli Ricks, Alabama (Jr.)
CB: Clark Phillips III, Utah (Jr.)
S: Brandon Joseph, Notre Dame (Jr.)
S: Jammie Robinson, Florida State (Sr.)
Special teams
K: Jake Moody, Michigan (Sr.)
P: Kyle Ostendorp, Arizona (Jr.)
RET: Brian Battie, South Florida (So.)
