3RD Team CFB Defensive Preseason All-American Team

DEFENSIVE END
Everson Griffin, USC-Pete Carroll has called this guy the most talented defensive player he has recruited since he arrived at USC. Griffen is a tornado on the outside rushing the quarterback and last season in limited action recorded 5.5 sacks as a true freshman. I've seen Griffin play quite a lot and to me he is the best player on the USC defense. Yes, he is better than Maualuga, Cushing, and Mays. There I said it. He got in trouble this offseason for physically abusing a freshman...




Tyson Jackson, LSU-It will be interesting to see how Tyson does now that Glen Dorsey is drawing double teams. The kid is physical enough and big enough to dominate opposing defenses but should see more attention this fall as they focus on him. Last year the 6'5 292 pound end batted down 10 passes and routinely made RBs shift inside instead of out.








DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Geno Atkins, Georgia-Big boy Geno was a 1st team All-SEC selection last year as a sophomore and will be a clog in the middle for one of the most talented and deepest defenses in the nation this season. He finished last year with 7.5 sacks and 41 tackles and should be a high selection in the NFL draft when he chooses to come out.







Mitch King, Iowa-King is a returning 3 year starter at Iowa who finished last season with 10 tackles for loss and seven passes broken up. A bit undersized at 264 pounds, King uses his athleticism and speed to get penetration and should again be a force to be reckoned with in the Big Ten this year.








OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
Eric Norwood, South Carolina-A returning 1st team All-SEC selection at outside linebacker, Norwood finished with 13.5 tackles for loss with a total of 69 tackles all together. He should team up with returning senior Jasper Brinkley to form one of the top linebacker groups in the nation. He also loves him some Erin Andrews, but then again who doesn't?....


Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri-A first team Big-12 selection as a sophomore last year, Weatherspoon comes back to Columbia looking to lead the Tigers to a BCS Bowl. Weatherspoon lead the team in tackles with 130 while also breaking up 8 passes. The agile and quick linebacker will lead a deep linebacker core and should be up for All-American honors and possible an early entry into the NFL Draft.






INSIDE LINEBACKER
Brandon Spikes, Florida-A first team All-SEC linebacker last year, Spikes finished with 131 tackles with 14.5 for loss. Extremely athletic and quick laterally, Spikes is only entering his junior season and should be a force to be reckoned with in Gainesville. He had a bad case of knee tendinitis at the end of the season but should be ready to go with a clean bill of health come fall. Judging by his picture on the right, Spikes is about as fruity as a pop star these days.





Gerald McRath, Southern Miss-The returning Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year had 139 tackles last season to go along with 7.5 for loss. The Golden Eagles linebacker had a ridiculous 21 tackles against Central Florida last year and he will have his work cut out for him this year as Southern Miss had a coaching change in the offseason and return only 10 starters from a squad which underperformed last season. I wouldn't get in McRath's way even if I was his own teammate as this guy learned during the bowl game...


CORNERBACK
Victor Harris, Virginia Tech-His nickname is "Macho" which might not be as scary as "Puppy Killer" in Blacksburg but there is no doubt Harris has made a name for himself. Last year he broke up 11 passes while grabbing 5 INTs and killing no dogs as far as I can see. Frank Beamer knows how to produce NFL players in the secondary and Macho Harris should be next in line after his senior year this season.



Patrick Robinson, FSU-Pure and simple, Robinson can be a lock-down cornerback for FSU and will be in the NFL. Only a junior this season, the 5-11 corner had 6 INTs last year and could easily grab 10 this year. In other words the kid needs to get his hands on some more balls this fall.






STRONG SAFETY
Myron Rolle, FSU-Rolle came in with huge expectations and he hasn't disappointed but he has yet to really shine in Tallahassee. This should be a breakout year for the talented junior from New Jersey. Last year he finished 4th on the Seminoles in tackles with 67 but surprisingly did not have an interception even though his teammates nabbed 16 of them as a group. Don't be surprised to see Rolle get his hands on some pigskins this fall and quite possible a ton of Cowgirls...



FREE SAFETY
David Bruton, Notre Dame-Bruton might be one of the hardest hitting safeties in the college game and last year finished third on the Fighting Irish in tackles with 85. He also had a team leading 3 INTs and is considered one of the best special teams player in the country. The 6'2 207 pound safety with 4.39 speed will be used regularly this season in delay blitz situations as Jon Tenuta will love to use a player of Bruton's talent. Bruton is the clear leader in what should be Notre Dame's deepest and most talented secondary in years.


Coming Monday: 2nd Team Preseason Offense All-American Team