The Associated Press (AP) recently announced its 2024 Preseason All-America team, showcasing top college football players expected to excel in the upcoming season. The selections include standout athletes from various positions, emphasizing their performance in previous seasons.
The recent shifts in conference alignments across college sports had significant implications for the selection and representation of athletes in All-America teams. These changes impact how athletes are scouted, the level of competition they face, and the visibility they receive, which in turn can influence their chances of being selected for prestigious honors such as the All-America teams.
Increased Competition: With conference realignment, such as teams from the Pac-12 moving to the Big Ten or Big 12, athletes will face different levels of competition. This can affect their performance and, consequently, their chances of being selected for All-America teams. The increased competition might also lead to more players from these conferences being recognized for their performances.
Visibility and Media Exposure: The shift in conferences can impact the visibility of athletes, as media coverage and the spotlight may vary significantly between conferences. High-profile conferences, which often receive more media attention, can provide athletes with greater exposure, potentially influencing their selection to All-America teams.
Impact on Team Dynamics and Performance: The changes in conference alignments can affect team dynamics and performance, which in turn can impact individual athletes’ performances. Players in teams that perform well are often more likely to be recognized, which can influence their selection for honors like the All-America team.
While conference realignment can create new opportunities for athletes, it also brings challenges that can need to be navigated carefully to maintain or enhance their chances of receiving prestigious accolades like the below in the All-America teams.
First team sections
Offense
- Quarterback — Carson Beck, fifth year, Georgia.
- Running backs — Ollie Gordon II, third year, Oklahoma State; Omarion Hampton, third year, North Carolina.
- Tackles — Will Campbell, third year, LSU; Kelvin Banks Jr., third year, Texas.
- Guards — Donovan Jackson, fourth year, Ohio State; Tate Ratledge, fifth year, Georgia.
- Center — Parker Brailsford, third year, Alabama.
- Tight end — Colston Loveland, third year, Michigan.
- Wide receivers — Luther Burden III, third year, Missouri; Tetairoa McMillan, third year, Arizona; Emeka Egbuka, fourth year, Ohio State.
- All-purpose player — Travis Hunter, third year, Colorado.
- Kicker — Graham Nicholson, fourth year, Alabama.
First team defense
- Edge — James Pearce Jr., third year, Tennessee; Ashton Gillotte, fourth year, Louisville.
- Tackles — Mason Graham, third year, Michigan; Howard Cross III, sixth year, Notre Dame.
- Linebackers — Harold Perkins Jr., third year, LSU; Jay Higgins, fifth year, Iowa; Barrett Carter, fourth year, Clemson.
- Cornerbacks — Will Johnson, third year, Michigan; Denzel Burke, fourth year, Ohio State.
- Safeties — Malaki Starks, third year, Georgia; Caleb Downs, second year, Ohio State.
- Defensive back — Xavier Watts, fifth year, Notre Dame.
- Punter — Alex Mastromanno, fifth year, Florida State.
Second Team Selections
Second team Offense
- Quarterback — Dillon Gabriel, sixth year, Oregon.
- Running backs — TreVeyon Henderson, fourth year, Ohio State; Ashton Jeanty, third year, Boise State
- Tackles — Ajani Cornelius, fifth year, Oregon; Aireontae Ersery, fifth year, Minnesota.
- Guards — Tyler Booker, third year, Alabama; Dylan Fairchild, fourth year, Georgia.
- Center — Cooper Mays, fifth year, Tennessee.
- Tight end — Mitchell Evans, fourth year, Notre Dame.
- Wide receivers — Tez Johnson, fifth year, Oregon; Tre Harris, fifth year, Mississippi; Ricky White III, fifth year, UNLV.
- All-purpose player — Zachariah Branch, second year, Southern California.
- Kicker — Andres Borregales, fourth year, Miami.
Second team defense
- Edge — Nic Scourton, third year, Texas A&M; Abdul Carter, third year, Penn State.
- Tackles — Tyleik Williams, fourth year, Ohio State; Deone Walker, third year, Kentucky.
- Linebackers — Danny Stutsman, fourth year, Oklahoma; Jason Henderson, fourth year, Old Dominion; Nick Martin, fourth year, Oklahoma State.
- Cornerbacks — Benjamin Morrison, third year, Notre Dame; Sebastian Castro, sixth year, Iowa.
- Safeties — Dillon Thieneman, second year, Purdue; Billy Bowman, fourth year, Oklahoma.
- Defensive back — Ricardo Hallman, fourth year, Wisconsin.
- Punter — James Ferguson-Reynolds, third year, Boise State.
This year’s selections reflect a competitive landscape, with a significant representation from powerhouse conferences such as the SEC and Big Ten, indicating the depth of talent in college football as the season approaches.