Preseason All-America

[SmallCollegeFBFan]

I have done a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th team but am only listing my 1st and 2nd team. What do you guys think? Anyone else missing? Who are your AA candidates that appear to be overlooked based on this list?


FIRST TEAM
QB DeAndre Presley, Appalachian State, Sr., 5-10, 180
RB Nate Eachus, Colgate, Sr., 5-10, 216
RB Jonathan Grimes, William & Mary, Sr., 5-10, 201
FB Eric Breitenstein, Wofford, Sr., 5-11, 225
WR Chris Summers, Liberty, Sr., 6-4, 210
WR Brian Quick, Appalachian State, Sr., 6-5, 220
WR Brandon Kaufman, Eastern Washington, Jr., 6-5, 205
TE David Duran, Coastal Carolina, Sr., 6-5, 240
C Chris Powers, Eastern Washington, Sr., 6-2, 270
OG J.C. Oram, Weber State, Sr., 6-4, 310
OG Gino Gradkowski, Delaware, Sr., 6-4, 294
OT Tom Compton, South Dakota, Sr., 6-6, 308
OT Jeff Adams, Columbia, Sr., 6-7, 305

SECOND TEAM
QB Mike Brown, Liberty, Sr., 6-0, 205
RB Mike Mayhew, North Carolina A&T, Sr., 5-10, 205
RB D.J. McNorton, North Dakota State, Sr., 5-10, 203
FB Kendall Gaskins, Richmond, Jr., 6-1, 230
WR Norman White, Villanova, Sr., 6-3, 215
WR Joel Bradford, Chattanooga, Sr., 6-0, 165
WR Aaron Mellette, Elon, Jr., 6-3, 211
TE Shadrae King, Robert Morris, Sr., 6-3, 225
C Natiel Curry, Bethune-Cookman, Sr., 6-2, 280
OG D.J. Hall, Texas State, Sr., 6-3, 300
OG James Dekle, Prairie View A&M, Sr., 6-1, 293
OT Brett Moore, Georgia Southern, Sr., 6-3, 253
OT David Pickard, Southern Illinois, Sr., 6-5, 300


DEFENSE

FIRST TEAM
DE Mario Kurn, San Diego, Sr., 6-2, 220
DE Ben Obaseki, Indiana State, Jr., 6-3, 235
DT Brent Russell, Georgia Southern, Jr., 6-2, 287
DT Renard Williams, Eastern Washington, Sr., 6-2, 300
LB Tyler Holmes, UMASS, Sr., 6-0, 220
LB Matt Evans, New Hampshire, Jr., 6-0, 233
LB A.J. Storms, Idaho State, Sr., 6-0, 215
LB Derek Rose, Northwestern State, Jr., 5-11, 225
CB Trumaine Johnson, Montana, Sr., 6-3, 199
CB Ryan Steed, Furman, Sr., 5-11, 186
S Tyler Brock, Southeast Missouri State, Jr., 6-3, 195
S Malcolm Bronson, McNeese State, Jr., 5-11, 188

SECOND TEAM
DE Brian McNally, New Hampshire, Sr., 6-3, 258
DE Ameet Pall, Wofford, Sr., 6-0, 245
DT Ben Boothby, Northern Iowa, Sr., 6-0, 280
DT Asa Chapman, Liberty, Sr., 6-5, 380
LB Kadarron Anderson, Furman, Sr., 6-1, 236
LB Mike Groome, Lehigh, Sr., 6-3, 240
LB Keith Pough, Howard, Jr., 6-3, 235
LB Jer’ryan Harris, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Soph., 6-1, 215
CB B.W. Webb, William & Mary, Jr., 5-11, 175
CB Laron Scott, Georgia Southern, Sr., 5-9, 173
S KeJuan Riley, Alabama State, Jr., 6-0, 182
S Matt Johnson, Eastern Washington, Sr., 6-2, 220


SPECIAL TEAMS

FIRST TEAM
K Matt Bevins, Liberty, Sr., 6-2, 185
P David Harrington, Idaho State, Sr., 6-3, 185
KR Gralyn Crawford, Stephen F. Austin, Jr., 5-10, 175
PR Tavoy Moore, Idaho State, Sr., 5-7, 195

SECOND TEAM
K Jason Cunningham, Montana State, Sr., 6-1, 162
P Jonathan Plisco, Old Dominion, Jr., 6-0, 220
KR Jeremy Caldwell, Eastern Kentucky, Sr., 5-10, 183
PR Dontrell Johnson, Murray State, Sr., 5-11, 180

[GannonFan]

Why Grimes as first team yet no mention of UD's Pierce at all? I understand Grimes is a senior and he returns kicks, so those are in his favor over a sophomore who doesn't return kicks, but for just the RB position it seems odd. They both had similar receiving numbers last year and Pierce rushed for almost 40 more yards per game than Grimes. If you're already listing kickoff returners separately, then how much do kick returns factor into running backs?

[LDopaPDX]

Not sure about Matt Johnson being labeled second team... I don't know much about the kid from McNeese, but if they are calling him better than Johnson. he'd better be a baller.

Also, Chris Powers on the OL is listed at a roster weight that he hasn't played at in about 2 years. He was 6'3" 290 at the end of the season last year.

[SmallCollegeFBFan]

Why Grimes as first team yet no mention of UD's Pierce at all? I understand Grimes is a senior and he returns kicks, so those are in his favor over a sophomore who doesn't return kicks, but for just the RB position it seems odd. They both had similar receiving numbers last year and Pierce rushed for almost 40 more yards per game than Grimes. If you're already listing kickoff returners separately, then how much do kick returns factor into running backs?

This is an excellent question. When coming into the preseason I believe you have to take a career and overall body of work into account. I'm not saying that it should always go to a senior but unless the numbers are just staggering in the favor of the younger player and injuries aren't involved with the senior I go with the one who has proven more.

RB is a position that players easily have one great year and then fizzle out. I'm not saying Pierce will fizzle out but I am not going to anoint him a top 2 RB in FCS just yet. I have him on my third team.

If you look at Grimes he was hurt last year but the few times he was healthy he was impressive. Grimes is also a 3-time All-CAA RB and that has to account for something. He's much more proven.

When Grimes is healthy he is the best returning RB I have seen on tape. If he is not healthy then I will definitely say that Pierce has a better year, or at least he should.

[SmallCollegeFBFan]

Not sure about Matt Johnson being labeled second team... I don't know much about the kid from McNeese, but if they are calling him better than Johnson. he'd better be a baller.

Also, Chris Powers on the OL is listed at a roster weight that he hasn't played at in about 2 years. He was 6'3" 290 at the end of the season last year.

Both McNeese safeties are very good, actually. Bronson is related to the 49ers Bronson so he has bloodlines. He has had a better career overall as well. Bronson has been first-team All-Southland the last two years and was the Freshman of the Year in the SLC in 2009. He's very good and a potential NFL player.

Powers is listed at 6'2, 270 pounds on the EWU website so that is what I used.

[LDopaPDX]

No, you are correct... Powers is listed at 270 on the quasi-offical EWU roster. It's sort of a running joke among Eastern fans that the information on our roster seems based on these kids HS sizes...

[SmallCollegeFBFan]

No, you are correct... Powers is listed at 270 on the quasi-offical EWU roster. It's sort of a running joke among Eastern fans that the information on our roster seems based on these kids HS sizes...

I figured he is bigger I just use the official size until I get verified or estimated information from NFL teams and then I use that over what the school says.

[houndawg]

I have done a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th team but am only listing my 1st and 2nd team. What do you guys think? Anyone else missing? Who are your AA candidates that appear to be overlooked based on this list?


FIRST TEAM
QB DeAndre Presley, Appalachian State, Sr., 5-10, 180
RB Nate Eachus, Colgate, Sr., 5-10, 216
RB Jonathan Grimes, William & Mary, Sr., 5-10, 201
FB Eric Breitenstein, Wofford, Sr., 5-11, 225
WR Chris Summers, Liberty, Sr., 6-4, 210
WR Brian Quick, Appalachian State, Sr., 6-5, 220
WR Brandon Kaufman, Eastern Washington, Jr., 6-5, 205
TE David Duran, Coastal Carolina, Sr., 6-5, 240
C Chris Powers, Eastern Washington, Sr., 6-2, 270
OG J.C. Oram, Weber State, Sr., 6-4, 310
OG Gino Gradkowski, Delaware, Sr., 6-4, 294
OT Tom Compton, South Dakota, Sr., 6-6, 308
OT Jeff Adams, Columbia, Sr., 6-7, 305

SECOND TEAM
QB Mike Brown, Liberty, Sr., 6-0, 205
RB Mike Mayhew, North Carolina A&T, Sr., 5-10, 205
RB D.J. McNorton, North Dakota State, Sr., 5-10, 203
FB Kendall Gaskins, Richmond, Jr., 6-1, 230
WR Norman White, Villanova, Sr., 6-3, 215
WR Joel Bradford, Chattanooga, Sr., 6-0, 165
WR Aaron Mellette, Elon, Jr., 6-3, 211
TE Shadrae King, Robert Morris, Sr., 6-3, 225
C Natiel Curry, Bethune-Cookman, Sr., 6-2, 280
OG D.J. Hall, Texas State, Sr., 6-3, 300
OG James Dekle, Prairie View A&M, Sr., 6-1, 293
OT Brett Moore, Georgia Southern, Sr., 6-3, 253
OT David Pickard, Southern Illinois, Sr., 6-5, 300


DEFENSE

FIRST TEAM
DE Mario Kurn, San Diego, Sr., 6-2, 220
DE Ben Obaseki, Indiana State, Jr., 6-3, 235
DT Brent Russell, Georgia Southern, Jr., 6-2, 287
DT Renard Williams, Eastern Washington, Sr., 6-2, 300
LB Tyler Holmes, UMASS, Sr., 6-0, 220
LB Matt Evans, New Hampshire, Jr., 6-0, 233
LB A.J. Storms, Idaho State, Sr., 6-0, 215
LB Derek Rose, Northwestern State, Jr., 5-11, 225
CB Trumaine Johnson, Montana, Sr., 6-3, 199
CB Ryan Steed, Furman, Sr., 5-11, 186
S Tyler Brock, Southeast Missouri State, Jr., 6-3, 195
S Malcolm Bronson, McNeese State, Jr., 5-11, 188

SECOND TEAM
DE Brian McNally, New Hampshire, Sr., 6-3, 258
DE Ameet Pall, Wofford, Sr., 6-0, 245
DT Ben Boothby, Northern Iowa, Sr., 6-0, 280
DT Asa Chapman, Liberty, Sr., 6-5, 380
LB Kadarron Anderson, Furman, Sr., 6-1, 236
LB Mike Groome, Lehigh, Sr., 6-3, 240
LB Keith Pough, Howard, Jr., 6-3, 235
LB Jer’ryan Harris, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Soph., 6-1, 215
CB B.W. Webb, William & Mary, Jr., 5-11, 175
CB Laron Scott, Georgia Southern, Sr., 5-9, 173
S KeJuan Riley, Alabama State, Jr., 6-0, 182
S Matt Johnson, Eastern Washington, Sr., 6-2, 220


SPECIAL TEAMS

FIRST TEAM
K Matt Bevins, Liberty, Sr., 6-2, 185
P David Harrington, Idaho State, Sr., 6-3, 185
KR Gralyn Crawford, Stephen F. Austin, Jr., 5-10, 175
PR Tavoy Moore, Idaho State, Sr., 5-7, 195

SECOND TEAM
K Jason Cunningham, Montana State, Sr., 6-1, 162
P Jonathan Plisco, Old Dominion, Jr., 6-0, 220
KR Jeremy Caldwell, Eastern Kentucky, Sr., 5-10, 183
PR Dontrell Johnson, Murray State, Sr., 5-11, 180

I would expect to see C Brian Boemer and FS Mike McElroy in that mix, but I'm admittedly biased.

[SmallCollegeFBFan]

I have done a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th team but am only listing my 1st and 2nd team. What do you guys think? Anyone else missing? Who are your AA candidates that appear to be overlooked based on this list?


FIRST TEAM
QB DeAndre Presley, Appalachian State, Sr., 5-10, 180
RB Nate Eachus, Colgate, Sr., 5-10, 216
RB Jonathan Grimes, William & Mary, Sr., 5-10, 201
FB Eric Breitenstein, Wofford, Sr., 5-11, 225
WR Chris Summers, Liberty, Sr., 6-4, 210
WR Brian Quick, Appalachian State, Sr., 6-5, 220
WR Brandon Kaufman, Eastern Washington, Jr., 6-5, 205
TE David Duran, Coastal Carolina, Sr., 6-5, 240
C Chris Powers, Eastern Washington, Sr., 6-2, 270
OG J.C. Oram, Weber State, Sr., 6-4, 310
OG Gino Gradkowski, Delaware, Sr., 6-4, 294
OT Tom Compton, South Dakota, Sr., 6-6, 308
OT Jeff Adams, Columbia, Sr., 6-7, 305

SECOND TEAM
QB Mike Brown, Liberty, Sr., 6-0, 205
RB Mike Mayhew, North Carolina A&T, Sr., 5-10, 205
RB D.J. McNorton, North Dakota State, Sr., 5-10, 203
FB Kendall Gaskins, Richmond, Jr., 6-1, 230
WR Norman White, Villanova, Sr., 6-3, 215
WR Joel Bradford, Chattanooga, Sr., 6-0, 165
WR Aaron Mellette, Elon, Jr., 6-3, 211
TE Shadrae King, Robert Morris, Sr., 6-3, 225
C Natiel Curry, Bethune-Cookman, Sr., 6-2, 280
OG D.J. Hall, Texas State, Sr., 6-3, 300
OG James Dekle, Prairie View A&M, Sr., 6-1, 293
OT Brett Moore, Georgia Southern, Sr., 6-3, 253
OT David Pickard, Southern Illinois, Sr., 6-5, 300


DEFENSE

FIRST TEAM
DE Mario Kurn, San Diego, Sr., 6-2, 220
DE Ben Obaseki, Indiana State, Jr., 6-3, 235
DT Brent Russell, Georgia Southern, Jr., 6-2, 287
DT Renard Williams, Eastern Washington, Sr., 6-2, 300
LB Tyler Holmes, UMASS, Sr., 6-0, 220
LB Matt Evans, New Hampshire, Jr., 6-0, 233
LB A.J. Storms, Idaho State, Sr., 6-0, 215
LB Derek Rose, Northwestern State, Jr., 5-11, 225
CB Trumaine Johnson, Montana, Sr., 6-3, 199
CB Ryan Steed, Furman, Sr., 5-11, 186
S Tyler Brock, Southeast Missouri State, Jr., 6-3, 195
S Malcolm Bronson, McNeese State, Jr., 5-11, 188

SECOND TEAM
DE Brian McNally, New Hampshire, Sr., 6-3, 258
DE Ameet Pall, Wofford, Sr., 6-0, 245
DT Ben Boothby, Northern Iowa, Sr., 6-0, 280
DT Asa Chapman, Liberty, Sr., 6-5, 380
LB Kadarron Anderson, Furman, Sr., 6-1, 236
LB Mike Groome, Lehigh, Sr., 6-3, 240
LB Keith Pough, Howard, Jr., 6-3, 235
LB Jer’ryan Harris, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Soph., 6-1, 215
CB B.W. Webb, William & Mary, Jr., 5-11, 175
CB Laron Scott, Georgia Southern, Sr., 5-9, 173
S KeJuan Riley, Alabama State, Jr., 6-0, 182
S Matt Johnson, Eastern Washington, Sr., 6-2, 220


SPECIAL TEAMS

FIRST TEAM
K Matt Bevins, Liberty, Sr., 6-2, 185
P David Harrington, Idaho State, Sr., 6-3, 185
KR Gralyn Crawford, Stephen F. Austin, Jr., 5-10, 175
PR Tavoy Moore, Idaho State, Sr., 5-7, 195

SECOND TEAM
K Jason Cunningham, Montana State, Sr., 6-1, 162
P Jonathan Plisco, Old Dominion, Jr., 6-0, 220
KR Jeremy Caldwell, Eastern Kentucky, Sr., 5-10, 183
PR Dontrell Johnson, Murray State, Sr., 5-11, 180

I would expect to see C Brian Boemer and FS Mike McElroy in that mix, but I'm admittedly biased.

I don't know McElroy's full injury status so that is why he was left off. As for Boemer he is on my expanded lists. I probably should post my 3rd and 4th teams. I'll do that here in a day or so after some more feedback.

[eagleskins]

Derek Heyden and Josh Rowe need to be on one of the defensive teams. Also, Charlie Edwards should be first team punter.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Good lists SCFBF! Thanks for posting them.

[SmallCollegeFBFan]

Derek Heyden and Josh Rowe need to be on one of the defensive teams. Also, Charlie Edwards should be first team punter.

LBs and DBs are pretty good this year. Who would you take off? I have seen everyone on my lists and I really think while Rowe and Heyden are definite All-SoCon guys that neither of them are All-Americans quite yet.

[houndawg]

I would expect to see C Brian Boemer and FS Mike McElroy in that mix, but I'm admittedly biased.

I don't know McElroy's full injury status so that is why he was left off. As for Boemer he is on my expanded lists. I probably should post my 3rd and 4th teams. I'll do that here in a day or so after some more feedback.

McElroy looked full tilt in the spring game from what I saw. More important is his defensive QB skill.Thanks for the posts.

Potential SIU sleepers getting good feedback - DE Ken Boatright, LB Brian Presume, S Boo Rodgers.

[McNeese72]

Not sure about Matt Johnson being labeled second team... I don't know much about the kid from McNeese, but if they are calling him better than Johnson. he'd better be a baller.

Also, Chris Powers on the OL is listed at a roster weight that he hasn't played at in about 2 years. He was 6'3" 290 at the end of the season last year.

Both McNeese safeties are very good, actually. Bronson is related to the 49ers Bronson so he has bloodlines. He has had a better career overall as well. Bronson has been first-team All-Southland the last two years and was the Freshman of the Year in the SLC in 2009. He's very good and a potential NFL player.

Powers is listed at 6'2, 270 pounds on the EWU website so that is what I used.

Correct on the bolded part of the quote. Malcolm Bronson's uncle is Zack Bronson, who lettered at McNeese from 1993-1996. Zack later went on to a career with the San Fransico 49'er's. Malcolm also has a younger brother, Ryan, on the team who was a redshirt freshman last season.

If I'm taking pictures on the sidelines and there is a big hit in the secondary that I missed seeing, nine times out of ten it was what I call a Bronson "hit".


Doc

[LeadBolt]

Your picks are solid. Look for W&M's Cook and Trantin to make a run at linebacker. Playing together and with an improved (hopefully) d-line from 2010,may lower their numbers, but not their effectiveness, however...

[SACCAT]

Where do you have DeNarius McGhee and Everett Gilbert on your lists.

[SmallCollegeFBFan]

Where do you have DeNarius McGhee and Everett Gilbert on your lists.

McGhee is 4th team on my list. I don't have Gilbert on the AA list at WR. He's in the 10-25 range on my position list though.

[Redwyn]

Seems pretty hard to believe that any Stony Brook RB - Gowins, Jackolski, or Maysonet - wouldn't get AA honors somewhere. The numbers Jackolski and Maysonet put up last season were phenomenal, and should be even better behind a tougher O-line.

[SmallCollegeFBFan]

Seems pretty hard to believe that any Stony Brook RB - Gowins, Jackolski, or Maysonet - wouldn't get AA honors somewhere. The numbers Jackolski and Maysonet put up last season were phenomenal, and should be even better behind a tougher O-line.

I had 1 of them on the 3rd or 4th team. both are in my top 10 RBs.

[Redwyn]

Seems pretty hard to believe that any Stony Brook RB - Gowins, Jackolski, or Maysonet - wouldn't get AA honors somewhere. The numbers Jackolski and Maysonet put up last season were phenomenal, and should be even better behind a tougher O-line.

I had 1 of them on the 3rd or 4th team. both are in my top 10 RBs.

Seems fair. Glad to hear you had them considered

[uofmman1122]

I doubt Caleb McSurdy or Jordan Tripp would be on many's preseason AA list, but I wouldn't be surprised to see one of them make it at the end of the year.

[SmallCollegeFBFan]

I doubt Caleb McSurdy or Jordan Tripp would be on many's preseason AA list, but I wouldn't be surprised to see one of them make it at the end of the year.

Both are on my long list.

[Tribe4SF]

Why Grimes as first team yet no mention of UD's Pierce at all? I understand Grimes is a senior and he returns kicks, so those are in his favor over a sophomore who doesn't return kicks, but for just the RB position it seems odd. They both had similar receiving numbers last year and Pierce rushed for almost 40 more yards per game than Grimes. If you're already listing kickoff returners separately, then how much do kick returns factor into running backs?

This is an excellent question. When coming into the preseason I believe you have to take a career and overall body of work into account. I'm not saying that it should always go to a senior but unless the numbers are just staggering in the favor of the younger player and injuries aren't involved with the senior I go with the one who has proven more.

RB is a position that players easily have one great year and then fizzle out. I'm not saying Pierce will fizzle out but I am not going to anoint him a top 2 RB in FCS just yet. I have him on my third team.

If you look at Grimes he was hurt last year but the few times he was healthy he was impressive. Grimes is also a 3-time All-CAA RB and that has to account for something. He's much more proven.

When Grimes is healthy he is the best returning RB I have seen on tape. If he is not healthy then I will definitely say that Pierce has a better year, or at least he should.

Good analysis of Grimes, noting injuries from last season. He was out early in both the Maine and UNC games, which hurt his per game stats.

TE Alex Gottlieb should be a contender for AA honors. Garnered second team from TSN last year, and is a complete TE as a blocker, and receiver.

[CatMom]

RB From SHSU - Tim Flanders
172/948 13 TDs as a Freshman
(started 8/11 of their games and saw action in 2 others)
Newcomer of the year in 2010
All SLC First Team

Saw the kid play and he has the tools. It was actually great to watch, even if it was my team he was running all over.


Glad to see DJ Hall in there, considering he played 10 games with an ankle injury in 2010.

BTW - he cleaned 704 lbs during S&C in the spring.

[ming01]

How about Mike Paulus at 2nd team QB?