ESPN releases Way-Too-Early All-American Team for 2024 college football season

ESPN released its way-too-early All-American team for the 2024 college football season and this is a loaded list.

Some guys will come back from injury and others return to school rather than go to the NFL. And, some players are back because they have to but they’ll get to showcase their talents one more time.

Let’s dive into ESPN’s way-too-early All-American Team for the 2024 season.

QB: Carson Beck, Georgia

Beck turned some heads this past season with his ability to play and follow up Stetson Bennett’s career. He nearly got Georgia back to the College Football Playoff. But that should be anticipated next year and he’ll certainly be one of the best quarterbacks in the country.

Second Team: Dillon Gabriel, Oregon

RB: Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State; TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State

Gordon was an absolute beast in 2024 and one of the highlights for the Cowboys all season. He’ll be back in the mix again. Henderson opted to return to the Buckeyes this season and there’s an argument he’s the best running back in the Big Ten and he’ll have quite the backfield mate.

Second Team: Omarion Hampton, North Carolina; Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State

WR: Luther Burden III, Missouri; Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

Burden would’ve been a top NFL selection this spring but he had to return to college for at least one more year. He was a huge part of Missouri’s historic season in 2024. McMillan is a guy who flew under the radar at first in 2023. But he’s a secret no more after he put up 1,400 yards and 10 touchdowns last year.

Second Team: Tory Horton, Colorado State; Tre Harris, Ole Miss

TE: Colston Loveland, Michigan

There was a lot of chatter about Loveland down the stretch of the season. The defending national champions get him back for 2024 and he’ll arguably be the team’s best playmaker and blocker.

Second Team: Brant Kuithe, Utah

OL: Will Campbell, LSU; Tate Ratledge, Georgia; Parker Brailsford, Alabama; Donovan Jackson, Ohio State; Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas

Campbell has been starting since day one of his freshman year and is a stud anchor of the LSU offensive line. Ratledge is one who opted to return to school rather than go to the NFL. This group seems like an all-star lineup when putting together an offensive line.

Second Team: Earnest Greene, Georgia; Tyler Booker, Alabama; Cooper Mays, Tennessee; Dylan Fairchild, Georgia; Ajani Cornelius, Oregon

DL: James Pearce Jr., Tennessee; Tyleik Williams, Ohio State; Mason Graham, Michigan; Ashton Gillotte, Louisville

Williams was a force in the backfield with 10 tackles for loss while Graham was the key cog on the defensive line for Michgian’s national title. Think that matchup will be important this year? Pearce was in the shadow of guys like Dallas Turner but could be the SEC’s best now. The same goes for Gillotte, who should be the front runner in the ACC.

Second Team: Rueben Bain Jr., Miami; Howard Cross III, Notre Dame; Deone Walker, Kentucky; Landon Jackson, Arkansas

LB: Harold Perkins, LSU; Deontae Lawson, Alabama; Barrett Carter, Clemson

Perkins was the best in the country, arguably, in 2022 but had his numbers drop this past fall. That could’ve been scheme related but he has all the tools to be far and away the best at his position. Lawson and Carter will be in the spotlight this season with bigger roles.

Second Team: Jay Higgins, Iowa; Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma; Abdul Carter, Penn State

DB: Travis Hunter, Colorado; Will Johnson, Michigan; Caleb Downs, Ohio State; Malaki Starks, Georgia

Hunter was a stud and we all knew this. He can do it all on both sides of the ball but he might be better off as a cornerback for Colorado. Johnson was a stud helping Michigan to a national title. The biggest move is Downs from Alabama to Ohio State after starting as a true freshman. Starks could be the best DB in the SEC now.

Second Team: Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame; Denzel Burke, Ohio State; Xavier Watts, Notre Dame; Rod Moore, Michigan

Special Teams, All Purpose: Graham Nicholson, Miami (Ohio); Alex Mastromanno, Florida State; Zachariah Branch, USC; Ashton Jeanty, Boise State

In order, it’s kicker, punter, return man and all-purpose player. Nicholson was 27-of-28 on field goals, Mastromanno was top three in Ray Guy voting last year and Branch was a dangerous returner as a freshman. Jeanty ran for over 1,300 yards and had over 500 yards receiving. Talk about dynamic.

Second Team: Andres Borregales, Miami; James Burnip, Alabama; Barion Brown; Travis Hunter, Colorado

Now that the list is set, this will surely be the All-American teams this year right? All jokes aside, this is a nice preview for next season but as always, it’s subject to change.