2009 College Football All American Team

I always enjoy these All American Teams and I like to do one in the pre-season, mid-season and then a final post-season All American Team. It's interesting to compare the three teams to see which players either improved or tailed off as the season went along. They will also give you a glimpse of some of the fine young talent that will be playing college football in the future.

Let me explain a few of my picks. The quarterbacks seem to always be the most difficult choice. Unlike the Heisman Trophy, which is just a popularity contest, I tried to look at not only statistics, but how well they played and what they meant to their team. At quarterback I gave the nod to Boise State's Kellen Moore. Not only was he undefeated this year at 13-0, but he led the nation in pass efficiency with a rating of 167.35 and threw for 39 touchdowns. The other quarterback selection that might surprise you is Notre Dames's Jimmy Clausen. Yes Notre Dame had an abysmal season, but Clausen did not. He finished as the #2 rated passer in the nation with a QB rating of 161.42 with 28 touchdowns (TDs) and only 4 interceptions.

At running back, Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram got a complete snub, he is a very good player, but there were more accomplished running backs this year. Stanford's Toby Gerhard rushed for an NCAA leading 26 TDs and Fresno State's Ryan Mathews led the NCAA in rushing with 1,808 yards.

On the defensive line, unless you have been living in a cave you have already heard of Nebraska's DT Ndamukong Suh, but did you know that UCLA's Brian Price finished the season with an amazing 22.5 tackles for loss (TFL). Price's 22.5 TFLs rank him #2 in the nation in that statistic and the only other player weighing over 300 pounds within the top 14 is? You guessed it, Ndamukong Suh. I am not going to tell you that the 6' 2" 300 pound Price is in the same league as Suh, but then again, no one is. Suh is the highest rated player that I have ever seen enter the NFL Draft.

Maryland Junior linebacker Alex Wujciak made a surprise entry to our Post-Season All American Team. At 6' 3" 255 pounds he is a large, powerful, tackling machine recording 131 total tackles this year.

Small, but speedy offensive weapon Dexter McCluster from Mississippi made the team. He is just too good to ignore. I have him listed as a receiver, but he has developed more into a running back this season. In his last three games combined, he accumulated 524 yards and for the season he finished with 1,016 rushing yards and 6 TDs and another 475 receiving yards and another 3 TDs.

There was a serious youth movement on this post season All American Team. There were some freshmen and sophomores that were fantastic this year and I wanted to give them some credit.

North Carolina Sophomore defensive end Robert Quinn evolved into one of the most feared pass rushers in the nation finishing with 19 tackles for loss (TFL) and 11 sacks.

Sticking to the sophomore theme, there were a few defensive backs that were fantastic this year. UCLA cornerback Rahim Moore led the NCAA with 9 interceptions and Texas Safety Earl Thomas wasn't far behind with 8. Another young player that you will be hearing more about in the future is Alabama Safety Mark Barron. At 6' 2" 214 pounds he (Barron) can come up and lay the lumber and his 7 interceptions prove is also pretty solid in pass coverage.

Three freshmen managed to end up as NFL Draft Dog All Americans. Pittsburgh RB Dion Lewis, Oregon RB LaMichael James and Rutgers do everything playmaker Mohamed Sanu. Lewis was one of the best looking running backs in the entire nation, great balance, speed and power. RB Dion Lewis finished as the Big East Player of the Year and ranked #3 in the entire NCAA with a 136.67 yards per game average and 16 TDs.

Freshman RB LaMichael James saved Oregon's season when LaGarrette Blount got suspended. James finished the season ranked #8 in the NCAA with 123 yards per game average and 14 touchdowns.

Rutgers' true freshman Mohamed Sanu is half receiver and half running back and once you get a look at him you will quickly realize he is special. A rock solid 6' 2" 195 pounds he already has an NFL type body. For the season, Sanu accumulated 639 receiving and 361 rushing yards with 8 combined TDs. Rutgers already played their bowl game (St Petersberg Bowl) and Sanu was the star. Rutgers beat Central Florida 45-24 and Sanu finished with 3 total touchdowns, 2 rushing and 1 receiving.