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Today we finish our Preseason All America Team with the big uglies on Defense. There are some definite high caliber players that will be playing on Sundays very shortly. Once again leave a message if you agree or disagree with the team.
Defense
DE George Selvie (South Florida)
Led the country with 31.5 tackles for loss and needed just one more to break the NCAA record. In fact, Selvie is the national career leader in that category with 46.5 and in sacks (20), and that's not the scary part. He's only a junior! Look for Selvie to once again man handle the Big East Conference and help lead the Bulls to another bowl game.
DE Greg Middleton (Indiana)
The Ted Hendricks Award finalist led the nation last season in sacks with 16 (105 yards lost). Middleton was one of the main reasons the Hooisers got back to the postseason. He added 50 tackles and 17 tackles for loss (102 yards lost), which ranked fifth in the Big Ten and shared 24th nationally. Greg will once again be on many opposing offense's minds.
Best of the Rest: Austin English (Oklahoma), Maurice Evans (Penn State), Greg Hardy (Mississippi), Tyson Jackson (LSU), Michael Johnson (Georgia Tech), Mitch King (Iowa), Brian Orakpo (Texas), Antwain Robinson (Arkansas), Ricky Sapp (Clemson), and Matt Shaughnessy (Wisconsin).
DT Fili Moala (USC)
It seems like Moala is a man among boys when he lines up for the USC Trojans. His play disrupts opponsing offenses because of he large frame. Last season Moala had 32 tackles, including 5.5 for losses and two sacks. Watch for Fili to have an even better year as long as he stays out of trouble. He was arrested this past March for resisting and obstructing an officer after a fight at a Newport Beach Bar. So it is definitely true when they say, Fight On!
DT Ricky-Jean Francois (LSU)
Although Francois played in only two games last season for the Tigers after serving a 12-month suspension for an off the field issue, he earned the Defensive Most Outstanding Player honors against the Buckeyes in the NC game. In that contest he had six tackles, 1.5 for a loss, a half sack, and a blocked field goal. Not too shabby for sitting on the entire season. Francois will help improve his NFL stock by keeping his nose clean and causing offense's problems.
Best of the Rest: Geno Atkins (Georgia), Terrill Byrd (Cincinnati), Tyson Jackson (LSU), Sen'Derrick Marks (Auburn), Gerald McCoy (Oklahoma), Vince Oghobaase (Duke), Jeff Owens (Georgia), Terrance Taylor (Michigan), Al Woods (LSU), and Vance Walker (Georgia Tech).
LB James Laurinaitis (Ohio State)
The best defensive player in the country, Laurinaitis will get plenty of votes come Heisman Trophy time. Some NFL scouts believe he's better than Brian Ullracher of the Bears during this same stage. James led the Bucks with 121 tackles last season and will once again head the OSU charge to another BCS title game appearance.
LB Rico McCoy (Tennessee)
McCoy had a breakout Sophomore year as he led or tied for the team lead in tackles in six of the Volunteers 13 games last season. He finished the year with 106 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception, and 4 passes broken up. Look for the Junior to raise his level of play a notch or so, as Tennessee looks to have a solid year in the SEC.
LB Brian Cushing (USC)
Cushing, who did a standout job starting at defensive end in 2006, moved back to his natural strongside linebacker spot as a junior in 2007 and didn't miss a beat. he had 25 tackles, including 2.5 for losses of 4 yards (with a 2-yard sack), plus a fumble recovery and 2 deflections. Cushing had arthroscopic surgery on his ankle prior to 2008 spring practice and was limited in spring drills; but will be back at full strength once the season begins.
Best of the Rest: Darry Beckwith (LSU), Jasper Brinkley (South Carolina), Aaron Curry (Wake Forest), Marcus Freeman (Ohio State), Olu Hall (Kansas State), Anthony Heygood (Purdue), Rey Maualuga (USC), Gerald McRath (Southern Mississippi), Brandon Spikes (Florida), and Sean Weatherspoon (Missouri).
DB Victor Harris (Virginia Tech)
Macho Harris is Mr. Everything for the Hokies. Last season he led Virginia Tech with five interceptions and a touchdown. Victor also had 36 tackles, and a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Watch for the Macho Man to have a sensational senior season as the Hokies look to get back to the ACC Championship Game.
DB Vontae Davis (Illinois)
One of the reasons why the Fighting Illini got back to the Rose Bowl was the hard nose play of their lock down corner. Davis ended the year with 76 tackles, 4 interceptions, including a return for a touchdown, and 2 blocked kicks. He also returns kicks and punts for Illinois (1 punt return for a TD against Missouri last season).
Best of the Rest: Joe Burnett (Central Florida), Londen Fryar (Western Michigan), Malcolm Jenkins (Ohio State), Mike Mickens (Cincinnati), D.J. Moore (Vanderbilt), Captain Munnerlyn (South Carolina), Patrick Robinson (Florida State), DeAngelo Smith (Cincinnati), Donald Washington (Ohio State), and DeAndre Wright (New Mexico).
FS Taylor Mays (USC)
The Thorpe Award candidate had 65 tackles (third on USC), 1 interception, 6 deflections, 1 fumble recovery and 1 forced fumble for the tenacious Trojan defense. Like his defensive teammate Brian Cushing, Mays had arthroscopic surgery prior to spring ball. Unfortuantely for opposing offenses, his injured ankle won't be slowing him down this season.
Best of the Rest: Nate Allen (South Florida), Antonio Baker (Louisiana Tech), Shane Carter (Wisconsin), Chris Clemons (Clemson), Nic Harris (Oklahoma), Bo McNally (Stanford), William Moore (Missouri), Derek Peguses (Mississippi State), Josh Pinkard (USC), and Anthony Reddick (Miami).
SS Eric Berry (Tennessee)
Berry did not have your typical freshmen season for the Vols. The SEC Defensive Freshman of the Year, broke the Tennessee Freshman interception (5) and interception return yards (222) records. Berry led all SEC freshmen with 86 tackles. He's considered the top NFL SS candidate.
Best of the Rest: David Bruton (Notre Dame), Jonathan Casillas (Wisconsin), Kam Chancellor (Virginia Tech), Barry Church (Toledo), Patrick Chung (Oregon), Emmanuel Cook (South Carolina), Courtney Greene (Rutgers), Michael Hamlin (Clemson), Myron Rolle (Florida State), and Chip Vaughn (Wake Forest).
P Chris Miller (Ball State)
The Cardinal ranked third in the country in punting average last season, while becoming only the sixth Ball State player in school history to be named a first-team All-American. Miller pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line 23 times, forced six fair catches and 10 touchbacks.
Best of the Rest: Brent Bowden (Virgina Tech), Britton Colquitt (Tennessee), Matt Fodge (Oklahoma State), Kevin Huber (Cincinnati), Zoltan Mesko (Michigan), Thomas Morestead (SMU), Jacob Richardson (Miami), Louie Sakoda (Utah), and A.J. Trapasso (Ohio State).
KR CJ Spiller (Clemson)
One of the most explosive players in college football, Spiller is capable of taking one to the house anytime he touches the ball. He's the only player in history with an 80-yard run and an 80-yard catch in the same season. If opposing teams are smart, they'll kick away from Spiller this season.
Best of the Rest: A.J. Jefferson (Fresno State)
Defense
DE George Selvie (South Florida)
Led the country with 31.5 tackles for loss and needed just one more to break the NCAA record. In fact, Selvie is the national career leader in that category with 46.5 and in sacks (20), and that's not the scary part. He's only a junior! Look for Selvie to once again man handle the Big East Conference and help lead the Bulls to another bowl game.
DE Greg Middleton (Indiana)
The Ted Hendricks Award finalist led the nation last season in sacks with 16 (105 yards lost). Middleton was one of the main reasons the Hooisers got back to the postseason. He added 50 tackles and 17 tackles for loss (102 yards lost), which ranked fifth in the Big Ten and shared 24th nationally. Greg will once again be on many opposing offense's minds.
Best of the Rest: Austin English (Oklahoma), Maurice Evans (Penn State), Greg Hardy (Mississippi), Tyson Jackson (LSU), Michael Johnson (Georgia Tech), Mitch King (Iowa), Brian Orakpo (Texas), Antwain Robinson (Arkansas), Ricky Sapp (Clemson), and Matt Shaughnessy (Wisconsin).
DT Fili Moala (USC)
It seems like Moala is a man among boys when he lines up for the USC Trojans. His play disrupts opponsing offenses because of he large frame. Last season Moala had 32 tackles, including 5.5 for losses and two sacks. Watch for Fili to have an even better year as long as he stays out of trouble. He was arrested this past March for resisting and obstructing an officer after a fight at a Newport Beach Bar. So it is definitely true when they say, Fight On!
DT Ricky-Jean Francois (LSU)
Although Francois played in only two games last season for the Tigers after serving a 12-month suspension for an off the field issue, he earned the Defensive Most Outstanding Player honors against the Buckeyes in the NC game. In that contest he had six tackles, 1.5 for a loss, a half sack, and a blocked field goal. Not too shabby for sitting on the entire season. Francois will help improve his NFL stock by keeping his nose clean and causing offense's problems.
Best of the Rest: Geno Atkins (Georgia), Terrill Byrd (Cincinnati), Tyson Jackson (LSU), Sen'Derrick Marks (Auburn), Gerald McCoy (Oklahoma), Vince Oghobaase (Duke), Jeff Owens (Georgia), Terrance Taylor (Michigan), Al Woods (LSU), and Vance Walker (Georgia Tech).
LB James Laurinaitis (Ohio State)
The best defensive player in the country, Laurinaitis will get plenty of votes come Heisman Trophy time. Some NFL scouts believe he's better than Brian Ullracher of the Bears during this same stage. James led the Bucks with 121 tackles last season and will once again head the OSU charge to another BCS title game appearance.
LB Rico McCoy (Tennessee)
McCoy had a breakout Sophomore year as he led or tied for the team lead in tackles in six of the Volunteers 13 games last season. He finished the year with 106 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception, and 4 passes broken up. Look for the Junior to raise his level of play a notch or so, as Tennessee looks to have a solid year in the SEC.
LB Brian Cushing (USC)
Cushing, who did a standout job starting at defensive end in 2006, moved back to his natural strongside linebacker spot as a junior in 2007 and didn't miss a beat. he had 25 tackles, including 2.5 for losses of 4 yards (with a 2-yard sack), plus a fumble recovery and 2 deflections. Cushing had arthroscopic surgery on his ankle prior to 2008 spring practice and was limited in spring drills; but will be back at full strength once the season begins.
Best of the Rest: Darry Beckwith (LSU), Jasper Brinkley (South Carolina), Aaron Curry (Wake Forest), Marcus Freeman (Ohio State), Olu Hall (Kansas State), Anthony Heygood (Purdue), Rey Maualuga (USC), Gerald McRath (Southern Mississippi), Brandon Spikes (Florida), and Sean Weatherspoon (Missouri).
DB Victor Harris (Virginia Tech)
Macho Harris is Mr. Everything for the Hokies. Last season he led Virginia Tech with five interceptions and a touchdown. Victor also had 36 tackles, and a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Watch for the Macho Man to have a sensational senior season as the Hokies look to get back to the ACC Championship Game.
DB Vontae Davis (Illinois)
One of the reasons why the Fighting Illini got back to the Rose Bowl was the hard nose play of their lock down corner. Davis ended the year with 76 tackles, 4 interceptions, including a return for a touchdown, and 2 blocked kicks. He also returns kicks and punts for Illinois (1 punt return for a TD against Missouri last season).
Best of the Rest: Joe Burnett (Central Florida), Londen Fryar (Western Michigan), Malcolm Jenkins (Ohio State), Mike Mickens (Cincinnati), D.J. Moore (Vanderbilt), Captain Munnerlyn (South Carolina), Patrick Robinson (Florida State), DeAngelo Smith (Cincinnati), Donald Washington (Ohio State), and DeAndre Wright (New Mexico).
FS Taylor Mays (USC)
The Thorpe Award candidate had 65 tackles (third on USC), 1 interception, 6 deflections, 1 fumble recovery and 1 forced fumble for the tenacious Trojan defense. Like his defensive teammate Brian Cushing, Mays had arthroscopic surgery prior to spring ball. Unfortuantely for opposing offenses, his injured ankle won't be slowing him down this season.
Best of the Rest: Nate Allen (South Florida), Antonio Baker (Louisiana Tech), Shane Carter (Wisconsin), Chris Clemons (Clemson), Nic Harris (Oklahoma), Bo McNally (Stanford), William Moore (Missouri), Derek Peguses (Mississippi State), Josh Pinkard (USC), and Anthony Reddick (Miami).
SS Eric Berry (Tennessee)
Berry did not have your typical freshmen season for the Vols. The SEC Defensive Freshman of the Year, broke the Tennessee Freshman interception (5) and interception return yards (222) records. Berry led all SEC freshmen with 86 tackles. He's considered the top NFL SS candidate.
Best of the Rest: David Bruton (Notre Dame), Jonathan Casillas (Wisconsin), Kam Chancellor (Virginia Tech), Barry Church (Toledo), Patrick Chung (Oregon), Emmanuel Cook (South Carolina), Courtney Greene (Rutgers), Michael Hamlin (Clemson), Myron Rolle (Florida State), and Chip Vaughn (Wake Forest).
P Chris Miller (Ball State)
The Cardinal ranked third in the country in punting average last season, while becoming only the sixth Ball State player in school history to be named a first-team All-American. Miller pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line 23 times, forced six fair catches and 10 touchbacks.
Best of the Rest: Brent Bowden (Virgina Tech), Britton Colquitt (Tennessee), Matt Fodge (Oklahoma State), Kevin Huber (Cincinnati), Zoltan Mesko (Michigan), Thomas Morestead (SMU), Jacob Richardson (Miami), Louie Sakoda (Utah), and A.J. Trapasso (Ohio State).
KR CJ Spiller (Clemson)
One of the most explosive players in college football, Spiller is capable of taking one to the house anytime he touches the ball. He's the only player in history with an 80-yard run and an 80-yard catch in the same season. If opposing teams are smart, they'll kick away from Spiller this season.
Best of the Rest: A.J. Jefferson (Fresno State)
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