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