ESPN's "Way-Too-Early" All-American team

While most of us are still basking in the glow of the National Championship, the rest of the college football world is already looking forward to next season. We have preseason rankings, preseason Heisman favorites, preseason All-American teams, etc. Of course, none of these really matter, but it’s always fun to look at the projections.  

ESPN has put out it’s Way-Too-Early All-American team. Here are the most represented teams (and Colorado). 

• OSU: 6
• Alabama: 5
• Georgia: 5
• Michigan: 4
• Colorado: 2 (Travis Hunter and Travis Hunter)

Here’s the full list (I only included the blurbs for Michigan players).

OFFENSE

QB: Carson Beck, Georgia 

• Second team: Dillon Gabriel, Oregon

RB: Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State 

• Second team: Omarion Hampton, North Carolina

RB: TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State 

• Second team: Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State

WR: Luther Burden III, Missouri 

• Second team: Tory Horton, Colorado State

WR: Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

• Second team: Tre Harris, Ole Miss

TE: Colston Loveland, Michigan

The 6-foot-5 Loveland bulked up to 245 pounds and emerged as a staple in the Wolverines' offense on their way to the national championship. He finished third on the team with 45 catches, averaging 14.4 yards per catch, and hauled in four touchdown receptions while earning first-team All-Big Ten honors. There will be several high-quality tight ends around the country in 2024, but Loveland's skills as both a receiver and blocker pushed him to the top of the list.

• Second team: Brant Kuithe, Utah

OT: Will Campbell, LSU

• Second team: Earnest Greene, Georgia

OG: Tate Ratledge, Georgia

• Second team: Tyler Booker, Alabama

C: Parker Brailsford, Alabama

• Second team: Tyler Booker, Alabama

OG: Donovan Jackson, Ohio State

• Second team: Dylan Fairchild, Georgia

OT: Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas

• Second team: Ajani Cornelius, Oregon

All-Purpose: Ashton Jeanty, Boise State

• Second team: Travis Hunter, Colorado

 

DEFENSE

DE: James Pearce Jr., Tennessee

• Second team: Rueben Bain Jr., Miami

DT: Tyleik Williams, Ohio State

• Second team: Howard Cross III, Notre Dame

DT: Mason Graham, Michigan

Graham was an integral piece of a Michigan defense that was the backbone of the Wolverines' national championship team. He returns as one of the top interior defensive linemen in college football after earning first-team All-Big Ten honors. The 6-3, 318-pound Graham played with a broken thumb through much of last season and was at his best in the postseason.

• Second team: Deone Walker, Kentucky

DE: Ashton Gillotte, Louisville

• Second team: Landon Jackson, Arkansas

LB: Harold Perkins, LSU

• Second team: Jay Higgins, Iowa

LB: Deontae Lawson, Alabama

• Second team: Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma

LB: Barrett Carter, Clemson

• Second team: Abdul Carter, Penn State

CB: Travis Hunter, Colorado

• Second team: Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame

CB: Will Johnson, Michigan

In 2023, Johnson went from being one of the best freshmen in the country to one of the best cornerbacks in the country. He's poised to be even better next season after earning consensus first-team All-Big Ten honors. Johnson (6-2, 202) has great size for a cornerback and didn't give up any touchdowns in 321 coverage snaps. He was the defensive MVP in the national championship game.

• Second team: Denzel Burke, Ohio State

S: Caleb Downs, Ohio State

• Second team: Xavier Watts, Notre Dame

S: Malaki Starks, Georgia

• Second team: Rod Moore, Michigan

 

SPECIAL TEAMS

K: Graham Nicholson, Miami (Ohio)

• Second team: Andres Borregales, Miami

P: Alex Mastromanno, Florida State

• Second team: James Burnip, Alabama

Returner: Zachariah Branch, USC

• Second team: Barion Brown, Kentucky