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USA TODAY Sports preseason college football All-America teams

Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY Sports

Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey and seven players from Alabama highlight the USA TODAY Sports’ preseason All-America team.

Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks to pass the ball during the first quarter of the spring game at Clemson Memorial Stadium.

Watson is the first-team quarterback, while McCaffrey joins LSU’s Leonard Fournette as first-team running backs. The first team also includes Alabama offensive tackle Cam Robinson, Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett, Iowa cornerback Desmond King and Michigan cornerback Jourdan Lewis.

Watson, McCaffrey, King, Lewis and Memphis' Jake Elliott are returning from last season's USA TODAY Sports All-America first team, and Fournette and Florida State offensive tackle Roderick Johnson were second-teamers then. Preseason second-team defensive backs Damontae Kazee of San Diego State and Marcus Maye of Florida also earned honors in 2015. 

Alabama is one of 11 teams with multiple selections. The others: Clemson, Michigan, Florida State, Utah, Ohio State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Notre Dame, Southern California and Florida.

Why Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey will be Heisman-worthy again

First team

QB: Deshaun Watson, Clemson

The junior is the preseason favorite for the Heisman Trophy.

RB: Christian McCaffrey, Stanford

He’s a do-everything, box-score-filling weapon with no equal in the FBS.

RB: Leonard Fournette, LSU

College football hasn’t seen a physical specimen like Fournette since Adrian Peterson at Oklahoma.

WR: JuJu Smith-Schuster, Southern California

Smith-Schuster is the next All-America pick for a program with a legacy of outstanding receivers.

WR: Calvin Ridley, Alabama

He’ll be an even more complete weapon as a sophomore.

TE: Jake Butt, Michigan

Amid a dearth of proven weapons at the position, Butt’s production stands out.

OL: Cam Robinson, Alabama

The bulldozing junior would be the prototypical tackle for any offense.

OL: Dan Feeney, Indiana

Feeney is undoubtedly the most under-recognized lineman in the country and one of the most unheralded stars in all of college football.

OL: Tyler Orlosky, West Virginia

The senior has earned the right to be recognized as the best center in the country.

OL: Dorian Johnson, Pittsburgh

An imposing running game rolls behind the Panthers’ left guard.

OL: Roderick Johnson, Florida State

This is the year Johnson combines his physical gifts with his growing experience.

LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette amassed 1,953 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2015.

DEFENSE

DL: Myles Garrett, Texas A&M

Destined to be a high pick in next year’s NFL draft, Garrett was fifth in sacks and eight in TFLs last season.

DL: Malik McDowell, Michigan State

A strong close to 2015 has McDowell ready to lead the MSU defense by example.

DL: Lowell Lotulelei, Utah

Lotulelei isn’t flashy, but he’s a nearly immovable force for perhaps the best defensive line in the country.

DL: Jonathan Allen, Alabama

Allen’s impact extends far beyond his own totals, with included the seventh-most sacks in the FBS in 2015.

LB: Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State

Ohio State’s offseason losses will vault McMillan onto center stage.

LB: Reuben Foster, Alabama

While not the only Crimson Tide linebacker with this potential, Foster will play a position that breeds All-America attention.

LB: Anthony Walker, Northwestern

Walker stops the run, defends the pass and gets to the quarterback — he had the fifth-most TFLs in the FBS in 2015.

CB: Desmond King, Iowa

Tied for the second-most INTs in the FBS last season,King effectively negates one side of the field for a stingy defense.

CB: Jourdan Lewis, Michigan

Had the second-most pass breakups of any returning player last season.

S: Budda Baker, Washington

Teams in the Pac-12 Conference know all about Baker’s ability to influence an entire offense from his spot at safety.

S: Derwin James, Florida State

James will be a household name by the end of the regular season.

SPECIALISTS

K: Jake Elliott, Memphis

The reigning Lou Groza Award finalist should bring home the hardware as a senior.

P: JK Scott, Alabama

Scott’s excellence makes him a vital part of the Tide’s defensive efforts.

RET: Evan Berry, Tennessee

Berry's 2015 kickoff return average was the FBS best by almost 5 yards.

Second team

OFFENSE

QB: Josh Rosen, UCLA

RB: Dalvin Cook, Florida State

RB: Royce Freeman, Oregon

WR: Gabe Marks, Washington State

WR: Christian Kirk, Texas A&M

TE: O.J. Howard, Alabama

OL: Mike McGlinchey, Notre Dame

OL: Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame

OL: Pat Elflein, Ohio State

OL: Dan Skipper, Arkansas

OL: Zach Banner, Southern California

College football 2016: Previews of every conference

DEFENSE

DL: Charles Harris, Missouri

DL: Carlos Watkins, Clemson

DL: DeMarcus Walker, Florida State

DL: Derek Barnett, Tennessee

LB: Jabrill Peppers, Michigan

LB: Malik Jefferson, Texas

LB: Devonte Fields, Louisville

CB: Damontae Kazee, San Diego State

CB: Jalen Tabor, Florida

S: Marcus Maye, Florida

S: Eddie Jackson, Alabama

SPECIALISTS

K: Andy Phillips, Utah

P: Austin Rehkow, Idaho

RET: Adoree’ Jackson, Southern California

PHOTOS: USA TODAY SPORTS PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA TEAM

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