3RD Team CFB Offense Preseason All-American Team

With College Football a little more than two months away from kickoff I decided to start up the tailgate early and start bombing out some preseason articles. Everyone loves preseason All-American lists almost as much as Pete Carroll loves his shit eating grin. So today let's take a look at the 3rd team offense.

QUARTERBACK
Pat White, West Virginia-Entering his 4th year as the starting quarterback of the Mountaineers, White is the most dangerous runner in the nation with apologies to Tim Tebow and Jake Locker. Last year White ran for 1335 yards, averaging 6.8 YPC and scoring 14 TDs on the ground. In the air White is impressive as well, completing 66.7% of his passes while throwing 14 TDs with only 4 INTs. White was a little banged up last season and it cost them a shot at the BCS Title game when he left the Pitt game but he should be 100% this season. He has Heisman dreams and don't be surprised to see him in New York for the ceremony.




RUNNINGBACK
Marlon Lucky, Nebraska-Lucky has flown under the radar on some bad Cornhuskers teams but make no mistake the guy is one of the best tailbacks in the nation. Lucky is a fluid RB who can cut and hit a hole that would make Peter North jealous. He is also a great receiver out of the backfield compiling 75 receptions last year bringing back memories of a poor man's Marshall Faulk. Compiling his first 1000 yard rushing season during his junior season, new coach Bo Pelini will use Lucky early and often. He also is a triple threat with the ability to pass....


CJ Spiller, Clemson-Spiller is the Lightning in the Clemson backfield and even if his sophomore season was a bit of a disappointment I expect big things from him. Spiller averaged over 5 YPC but didn't nearly get enough touches last year as his teammate James Davis got the majority. Spiller is a threat to take it to the house every time he touches the ball and hopefully little Bowden wakes up and realizes it. While Davis will again get his touches, don't be surprised to see Spiller run for over 1000 yards while catching 50 plus balls out of the backfield while being featured in a Reggie Bush role. Hey CJ, do the Heisman on that Ho!...




FULLBACK
Conredge Collins, Pittsburgh-Not much to say about big Conredge other than he is a throwback type fullback who loves to blast linebackers while opening up holes for tailback LeSean McCoy. Collins is an important piece of the puzzle for Wanny's team as it looks to build upon an upset of West Virginia at the end of the year and take the Panthers to a bowl game. He may not be as good as Lorenzo Neal but the kid knows how to hit people and should get drafted next year.



WIDE RECEIVER
Sammie Stroughter, Oregon State-Slammin Sammy is back from depression and was granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA despite playing in 3 games last season. Stroughter might be short in stature but the kid has pinball moves and is one of the hardest, most elusive players to tackle in the college game. Expect big things as Stroughter will catch at least 70 balls while scoring 10+ TDs and also will be a huge threat returning punts and kickoffs.






Jarrett Dillard, Rice-Dillard plays in a spread offense at Rice and during his sophomore year he was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award. Last year his numbers were down but he still had over a 1000 yards receiving while catching 14 TDs. They were only down because during his sophomore year he caught 21 TDs which included a streak of 15 straight games with at least 1 TD(2nd longest in NCAA history). Rice hasn't won an outright conference title since 1957 and there is a 99.9% chance they won't again this year but it's not Dillard's fault. He may only be 5'11 but his vertical jump makes him an extremely dangerous target...


Demetrius Byrd, LSU-This catch saved LSU's season against Auburn last year...

It took some huge balls from Les Miles to make that call but took even bigger balls to catch the ball in traffic the way Byrd did with the game hanging in the balance. We all know LSU has talent and Byrd is one of the best of them. The 6'2 senior should be a go-to target for whomever is throwing the passes down in Baton Rouge.



TIGHT END
Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma-Gresham is a vital part of the Sooners offense and is often Sam Bradford's outlet pass when everything else is covered. Gresham tallied 11 TD catches last season leading the team and was one of the main reasons why Bradford led the nation in passing efficiency. He tied a school record with 4 TDs against Texas A&M and was third on the team in receiving yards with 518. Gresham should be a finalist for the Mackey Award which goes to the top tight end if he can stay healthy and should help the Sooners back to a BCS game. His picture on the right is clearly going to be used as a motivational tool for Mack Brown going into the Red River Shootout. We got your back Jermaine.



CENTER
Max Unger, Oregon-I'm sorry but the name of Max Unger sounds like some machine sent from another planet that was meant to destroy whatever it came in contact with. Actually that is a pretty good way to explain what Unger does to imposing PAC-10 DTs on Saturdays. Unger has been a big reason for Jonathan Stewart's success the past few seasons and should again open holes for what coach Mike Bellotti described as his best offensive line since he has been there.



GUARD
Jeff Byers, USC-Byers came to USC with a ton of hype surrounding him as the #1 player out of the state of Colorado. So far injuries and position changes have tempered those expectations but 2008 should be a good one for the senior. He should represent these Trojans with pride...


Dan Doering, Iowa-This highly touted redshirt junior is ready for a big season. Iowa is known to produce NFL caliber offensive line with 7 selections in the past 4 years in the draft. Doering could be one of the best as the 6'6, 300 pound guard should have an excellent season while helping lead Iowa back to a bowl game.



TACKLE
Ciron Black, LSU-The 6'5, 314 pounder started 13 games last season as a redshirt freshman while being named to the 1st team Freshmen All-American team and earning 2nd team All-SEC. The kid is a beast and should be a part of one of the deepest and most talented lines in all of college football.

Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma-Speaking of top offensive lines in the country, on paper it looks like Oklahoma will have the best thanks to JUCO transfer Loadholt. Loadholt was excellent last season and started all 14 games at left tackle earning himself 2nd team All-Big 12. The Sooners return all 6 starters on the line with a combined 130 career starts. Now maybe you know why they are a preseason top 5 team and Loadholt is a main reason.

Coming tomorrow: 3rd Team Preseason Defense All-American Team