All Americans

Sorry for a few days without blogging I had a trip to London with my girlfriend in preparation for the seasons festivities. However that does not mean for one minute I'm behind in the sporting world. Yesterday while in Nike Town I took us out the wrong way so I could catch a glimpse of the football scores on the big screen!

Earlier in the week ESPN announced its All American team prior to bowl season kicking off this weekend. There were not to many shocks in the list but there are a few people I would like to discuss.
QB Johnny Manziel
RB K Barner (Oregon)
RB M Ball (Wisconsin)
WR M Lee (USC)
WR T Williams (Baylor)
TE Z Ertz ( Standford)
OT T Lewan (Michigan)
OT L Joeckel (Texas A&M)
OG J Cooper (North Carolina)
OG C Warmak (Alabama)
C B Jones (Alabama)

DE J Clowney (South Carolina)
DT D Moore (Texas A&M)
DE S Tuitt ( Norte Dame)
LB J Jones (Georgia)
LB M Te'o ( Norte Dame)
LB K Greene ( Rutgers)
LB M Mauti (Penn State)
DB D Milliner (Alabama)
DB B Roby (Ohio State)
DB P Thomas (Fresno State)
DB E Reid (LSU)

It would be easy to discuss the people left off of this list but I truly believe all of the players on this list are worth All Americans. I'm going to pick out a couple of players and focus on the ones who are more then likely going to make the step up next season to the NFL.

First person for me is Lee from USC he has dominated at the wide receiver position for a couple of seasons now, and even had a good year this past season when USC have not lived up to all their pre season hype. Lee is just in his sophomore year and as I understand will be back in USC next season. He is far more dynamic than the number 1 receiver taken in last years draft Blackmon was a top 10 pick and so when he does enter the league he can be expected to have his name called earlier. The numbers help prove how dynamic he is the average length of his 15 TDs was 40+ yards and by the time he leaves the PAC-12 he will hold most of the receiving records.

The next big left tackle to come out of Michigan is Lewan who played left tackle this past season but is probably more a right tackle at the NFL unlike the previous Michigan tackle Jake Long. He is built like Long 6-8 300+lbs but is not quite got the technique Long had coming out of Michigan but he is a quicker learner look at the steps he has made from his sophomore year. From all reports its believed this junior is likely to come out this season I would like him to come out following a senior season as he maybe a top 5 talent by that time. However now he has lockdown any rusher on his side of the line but is even more impressive in the run game, majority of UM run comes behind him.

In a couple of weeks Lewan has one final task this season shutting down the best pass rusher in college football this season Clowney. Clowney another sophomore in this years list as had a phenomenal year and at times looked unblockable. He lead the SEC in sacks with his combination of power but most of all speed. They say the game gets quicker at the next level which makes me think Clowney will be fine as he has tremendous speed and could be the next big 3-4 OLB pass rusher. In the forthcoming outback bowl it's going to be a great match up between Lewan and Clowney.

The last person I want to discuss is the lone returning LSU secondary member safety Eric Reid. Being the only returning member of that great defence meant he had to stand up as a leader which he was not able to do last year. Reid is known for his tackling skills and this will transfer over to the NFL, but this year we were able to see his closing speed and short area burst. He may not go in the top round of the draft but which ever team gets him will be getting a good player.

While I set of wanting to discuss likely NFL players in the 2013 season a number of these players will be in the same college stadiums on Saturday nights next season. That's not to say one day these talented All Americans will not be playing their football on a Sunday.