2012 College Football Preseason Second-Team All-American Offensive Players: While every college football player wants to be named a First-Team All-American, settling for being named to the second team isn’t a bad consolation prize. After all, thousands of players up every year, and being recognized as one of the best players at a position is quite an honor. Not to mention that the second team is still always loaded with Heisman candidates and future first-round draft picks. With that in mind, here is a look at my preseason list of Second-Team All-Americans on offense for the 2012 college football season.
2012 College Football Preseason Second-Team All-American Offensive Players
Quarterback: Denard Robinson, Michigan Wolverines
His value at the next level can be debated, but there isn’t a more dynamic or exciting player in the country. Robinson is a lock to provide 20-plus passing touchdowns, 15-plus rushing touchdowns and go well over 1,000 yards through the air and on the ground. The game-changing plays are nice, too.
Running Back: Giovani Bernard, North Carolina Tarheels
Bernard topped 1,200 yards and scored 13 times as a freshman last season. The natural talent is there, and an offseason to get stronger and a great offensive line will allow him to become one of the nation’s best backs this season
Running Back: Knile Davis, Arkansas Razorbacks
After a knee injury cost him all of last season, Davis will be back with a vengeance in 2012. He finished 2010 with more than 1,300 yards and 13 scores, averaging 6.5 yards per carry. He topped 150 yards four times that season and ended the year by topping 100 yards in five straight games. A big year is on tap for Davis in an excellent Arkansas offense.
Wide Receiver: Marqise Lee, USC Trojans
All he did as a true freshman last year was catch 73 passes, for 1,143 yards and 11 scores. After ending the season with 187 yards against Oregon and 224 yards against UCLA, there is no doubt Lee is destined to be a star.
Wide Receiver: Marquess Wilson, Washington State Cougars
The 6-4 receiver has topped 1,000 yards and in both seasons at Washington State, grabbing 18 touchdowns combined. Last year, he finished with career highs in catches (82), yards (1,388) and touchdowns (12). As the center of Mike Leach’s pass-happy offense, Wilson’s numbers are only going to improve.
Tight End: Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Washington Huskies
He topped 500 yards as a freshman last season, and the two-sport athlete will continue to use his combination of size, speed and leaping ability to create matchup nightmares all over the field. A year of experience and an expanded role will lead to huge numbers in an improving Huskies’ offense.
Center: Ben Habern, Oklahoma Sooners
Habern is a steady force in the middle of an offensive line that is tested as much as any in the country. Oklahoma attempted 583 passes last season, and Habern and company allowed just 11 sacks. The senior will be looking to finish a great career on a high note, especially after missing time with an injury last season.
Offensive Tackle: Chris Faulk, LSU Tigers
His teammate Alex Hurst is widely considered the best offensive tackle in the country, but Faulk isn’t far behind. At 6-6, he certainly has the size and strength to be a dominant force, and he isn’t shy about physically punishing defensive linemen. The LSU run game is going to be deadly this year.
Offensive Tackle: Ricky Wagner, Wisconsin Badgers
Wagner has been the latest in a run of incredibly-dominant left tackles for the Badgers. Last year, he anchored the left side of an offensive line that allowed Montee Ball to lead the country in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, and a repeat performance could be on tap.
Offensive Guard: Gabe Ikard, Oklahoma Sooners
Ikard had already proven his worth in pass protection, but he got a chance to show just how valuable he was last season. An injury to Ben Habern forced Ikard to fill in at center, as he was rock solid at both positions. Ikard was a big part of the reason quarterback Landry Jones was kept upright and a walk-on running back looked like a star.
Offensive Guard: Omoregie Uzzi, Georiga Tech Yellow Jackets
In Georgia Tech’s triple-option offense, Uzzi’s blocking is constantly under the microscope, and it always passes the test. He flirted with the NFL Draft, and although he probably would have been a second-round pick, he decided to return for his senior season. The Yellow Jackets will gladly welcome back their mauling run blocker for one more year.
Kicker: Brett Maher, Nebraska Cornhuskers
Maher connected on 19 of his 23 field goal attempts, including knocking in three from beyond 50 yards. He is also as accurate as they come from inside 50 yards, missing just once from that range last season. Maher is the latest in a recent run of great Nebraska place kickers.
Special Teamer: Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State Cowboys
As if Mike Gundy’s high-powered offense needed a short field to work with, Gilbert is an X-factor in the return game. He averaged more than 27 yards per kickoff return last year, finding the end zone twice. He has now taken four kickoffs back four scores in the last two years, and whether or not he puts six on the board, his ability to provide field position for the offense is invaluable.
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