College football: ESPN releases 2021 preseason All-American team

ESPN has released its 2021 preseason All-American team ahead of the season. The 26 players named to this group are the early favorites to take home postseason trophies and receive honors for their performance. 14 of them play for teams ranked inside the AP Poll’s top 10, making them serious championship contenders.

The list includes players from six different conferences. The SEC leads the way with seven first-team selections, following by the Big 12 (6), the Big Ten (4) and the ACC (3). The PAC-12, American and Notre Dame each had two selections.

2020 Heisman candidate Breece Hall and Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler headline the offense while Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux and LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. anchor the defense. All-purpose weapon Deuce Vaughn and kick returner Marcus Jones are also recognized for their contributions.

The preseason All-American list is not a list of the top NFL prospects, or a list of the best returning stat lines from the previous season. This list is a projection of the All-American team which will be named in December, following the season.

Here is a look at ESPN’s 2021 preseason All-American team.

Offense

QB: Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma Sooners

RB: Breece Hall, Iowa State Cyclones

RB: Bijan Robinson, Texas Longhorns

WR: Chris Olave, Ohio State Buckeyes

WR: Justyn Ross, Clemson Tigers

TE: Jalen Wydermyer, Texas A&M Aggies

OT: Evan Neal, Alabama Crimson Tide

OG: Thayer Munford, Ohio State Buckeyes

C: Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa Hawkeyes

OG: Cain Madden, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

OT: Darian Kinnard, Kentucky Wildcats

AP: Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State Wildcats

Defense

DE: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon Ducks

DT: Jordan Davis, Georgia Bulldogs

DT: Bryan Bresee, Clemson Tigers

DE: Ochaun Mathis, TCU Horned Frogs

LB: Will Anderson Jr. Alabama Crimson Tide

LB: Devin Llyod, Utah Utes

LB: Nik Bonitto, Oklahoma Sooners

CB: Derek Stingley Jr. LSU Tigers

CB: Ahmad Gardner, Cincinnati Bearcats

S: Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

S: Brandon Joseph, Northwestern Wildcats

Special teams

K: Cade York, LSU Tigers

P: Lou Hedley, Miami Hurricanes

KR: Marcus Jones, Houston Cougars

Additional notes

Only Iowa State running back Breece Hall and LSU kicker Cade York return to the preseason team for a second consecutive season. Notre Dame offensive lineman Cain Madden is the only 2021 transfer to make the team after departing Marshall this offseason.

Clemson wide receiver Justyn Ross is an easy selection based on his past performances but the senior was only recently cleared by doctors after a full year of rehab following spine surgery.