2009 All American Predictions (and top Freshman to watch)

By Peter LeGrand

All American Teams
1st team
QB: Tim Tebow- Florida: Tebow won’t put up the best passing stats, but bet your bottom dollar that he will have a terrific TD-INT ratio and manage to put up a very high completion %. More important than that is his impact on his team, as Tebow will be the undisputed leader on what should be the best team from start to finish this year. His leadership ability is unparalleled and I look for him to win his second Heisman Trophy this year
RB: Jahvid Best- California: The junior running back put up huge numbers last season, rushing for over 1500 yards and 8.1 ypc!!! He also scored 15 touchdowns. He’s reportedly improved his speed and he’s in a better situation this year as the Cal offense will have a stable quarterback this year. 2,000 yards is not out of the question.
RB: Kendall Hunter- Oklahoma State: Hunter was a first teamer last year and returns to the most balanced offense in all of college football hungry to improve on his numbers from last season. I see Oklahoma State contending in the Big 12 South and Hunter will get lots of national recognition, though he will have to battle with teammates Zac Robinson and Dez Bryant in the Heisman Race, but that shouldn’t affect his odds at back to back All American years
WR: Arrelious Benn- Illinois: Benn may be the most physically gifted wide reciever out there and with the improvements that Juice Williams has made at quarterback, the Illini will be passing more than ever; expect most passes going Benn’s way. Adding to his dynamic receiving talents is his amazing skill returning kick-offs. Don’t be surprised to see him be the first wide receiver taken in the next NFL draft.
WR: Dez Bryant- Oklahoma State: Bryant caught 87 receptions for 1480 yards last season, along with 19 touchdowns. It may be hard for him to match that sort of production, but it’s hard to doubt he’ll come close. The Cowboy offense will be potent and Bryant will be a huge part of their sensational production.
TE: Jermaine Grisham- Oklahoma: Grisham had 14 touchdowns and over 900 yards last season and looks to be QB Sam Bradford’s top target this season. As a 6’6” target he’s almost impossible to guard near the goal line and I expect him to surpass his 14 touchdown’s from last year.
T: Russell Okung- Oklahoma State: Already being touted as a top 5 prospect for next year’s draft, Okung guards the blind side for quarterback Zac Robinson. He started all 26 games at LT the past two seasons and it will be hard for any defenders to get past him
G: Brandon Carter- Texas Tech: This 6’7” behemoth is a stout protector on this offensive line, and will lead this line in protecting what should be another top 5 passing attack.
C: Kristofer O’Dowd- USC: O’Dowd will have extra responsibility this year, trying to help whichever young QB USC settles with develop. I see him doing a fabulous job and the Trojans getting back to the Rose Bowl for the 5th straight year.
G: Sergio Render- Virginia Tech: Render has had 26 starts for the Hokies at RG the past two seasons and will be the one that super RB Darren Evans will often follow to daylight this season. I see V. Tech winning the ACC and Render will get rewarded for his great work in the trenches with an All American nob
T: Sam Young- Notre Dame: Young is a 6’8”, 330 lb mountain of blocking skill. I expect the Irish to do very well this year, and Clausen to put up much improved passing numbers. This will reflect on the great protection he gets from his offensive line, who are lead by this guy.
DE: Carlos Dunlop- Florida: A junior DE who recorded 9.5 sacks last year, Dunlop is a physical beast. At 6’6” and 290 lbs, he is nearly impossible to block and I see him being one of the biggest stars rushing the passer next year.
DT: Terrence Cody- Alabama: Cody is the anchor to the Alabama run defense, which gave up only 74 yards per game last season. He should continue to keep up his success clogging the middle and I see him earning a second straight nod on the All America team.
DT: Ndamukong Suh- Nebraska: Suh led the Huskers in tackles, sacks, and takles for loss last season, while tying for the team lead in interceptions too. And he played defensive tackle! He is a fabulous player and the Huskers should be a top 25 team, expect him to earn many postseason awards for his Hercules like efforts.
DE: Jerry Hughes- TCU: This senior DE was a 1st teamer last year while recording an unbelievable 15 sacks and could very well repeat that feat. The Horned Frogs have a very dangerous team and could easily crack the BCS this year. With all that national attention, their staunch run defense (47 ypg surrendered last season!!!), Hughes will once again find himself on the AA team
LB: Sergio Kindle- Texas: Kindle is an interesting player, playing the SLB position and rushing the passer from that position better than any other player in the NCAA. It’s very possible that he will improve on his 10 sacks from last season. I see Texas reaching the National Title game this year, and Kindle will get lots of national attention and a spot on the All-American team.
LB: Brandon Spikes- Florida: This senior linebacker returns to once again lead the Florida defense. They led the SEC in scoring defense last year, and return all 11 starters. It will be impossible to keep their star player off of the All American squad
LB: Rolando McClain- Alabama: The junior linebacker led the Tide defense with 95 tackles last year and returns with 8 other starters from last year. Alabama should be one of the best defenses again, and I expect McClain to pile up the tackles for them.
CB: Trevard Lindley- Kentucky: The senior CB was a 2nd team All-American last year and I expect him to make the jump up to the 1st team this year. He’ll get challenged often this year against star WR’s Julio Jones (Alabama), AJ Green (Georgia), and against stud QB Tim Tebow. However, I see him holding his own, and even improving on his 11 passes broken up from last year and his 4 INT.
CB: Joe Haden- Florida: The Gators garner 3 first team All-American’s on the defensive side of the ball, and Haden will not be undeserving of his spot. He had 87 tackles and 12 passes broken up last season, and I see his numbers rising after another year of experience. He’ll be one of the biggest impact corners in all of college football next year.
FS: Taylor Mays- USC: Mays turned down the NFL draft last year, and what probably would have been a top 10 selection, to return to the USC defense as the undisputed leader. With the body of a linebacker and speed of a corner, Mays punishes opposing offenses in so many ways. I expect the USC defense to once again by extremely stout, and Mays will gain a ton of recognition for his great play.
SS: Eric Berry- Tennessee: The lone bright spot last year for the Volunteers, Berry is a phenomenal talent and should put up eye-popping numbers… if opposing teams throw the ball near him. Otherwise, we’ll just watch him pulverize a few running backs and make the field half the size for the oppositions passing game.
K: Alex Henry- Nebraska: Henry hit 18-21 FG’s last year, including a 57 yarder. Furthermore, two of those misses were from over 50 yards. I look for improved numbers and a great year.
P: Bryan Anger- Cal: The sophomore punter was a 1st team Freshman All American last year, putting 26 balls inside the 20 yard line and having a 43.1 ypp average. I look for him to improve on those numbers and earn a 1st team nod.
2nd team
QB: Colt McCoy- Texas
RB: Darren Fletcher- Southern Mississippi
RB: Evan Royster- Penn State
WR: Julio Jones- Alabama
WR: DeAndre Brown- Southern Mississippi
TE: DJ Williams- Arkansas
T: Bryan Bulaga- Iowa
G: Mike Johnson- Alabama
C: Chris Hall- Texas
G: Jeff Byers- USC
T: Ciron Black- LSU
DE: George Selvie- USF
DT: Gerald McCoy- Oklahoma
DT: Vince Oghobaase- Duke
DE: Dexter Davis- Arizona State
LB: Sean Lee- Penn State
LB: Joe Pawelek- Baylor
LB: Sean Weatherspoon- Missouri
CB: Myron Lewis- Vanderbilt
CB: Walter Thurmond- Oregon
FS: Jordan Lake- Baylor
SS: Morgan Burnett- Georgia Tech
K: Kai Forbath- UCLA
P: Zach Johnson- Eastern Michigan

And… top freshmen to watch
1. QB Tate Forcier: Michigan- He may not be the most highly touted QB coming into this season, but this guy will be handed the keys to the Wolverine offense. How he plays will decide whether or not Michigan will return to a bowl game.
2. RB Bryce Brown: Tennessee- Lots of controversy swirled around the #1 running back prospect due to his sudden de-commitment to Miami (FL), and his performance this year will be watched carefully. Expect him to get significant playing time in his first season.
3. QB Matt Barkley: USC and QB Russell Shepard: LSU- The two highest regarded quarterbacks of 2009 will probably be back-ups at the start of the year, but will contend to earn the starting roles at these two top 10 caliber teams. Their performance and growth will be interesting to watch.
4. RB Edwin Baker: Michigan State- Baker will come in and attempt to replace Javon Ringer, a Spartan fan favorite. His ability to continue Michigan State’s ability to run the football will decide whether MSU goes to a lower-tier bowl or contends for the Big 10 title.
5. LB Manti Te’o: Notre Dame- The #1 LB recruit should start right away, and if he can make his presence felt enough, there’s a possibility that the Irish could have a top notch defense and possibly contend for a BCS berth.