Oklahoma State wide receiver James Washington (Stamford) and Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver are among the six Texas-based (high school or college) standouts that were named as Preseason All-Americans by the Associated Press. The full teams were unveiled on Tuesday. USC quarterback Sam Darnold and Penn State running back Saquon Barkley were among the headliners to make the first team.
AP's 1st preseason All-America team led by 2 Heisman contenders who put on a show in last Rose Bowl @ralphDrussoAP https://t.co/uH2jHCReLK
— AP Top 25 (@AP_Top25) August 22, 2017
First Team
Photo via Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Washington is coming off another huge year for the Cowboys, finishing with 71 catches for 1,380 yards and 10 touchdowns. He, along with quarterback Mason Rudolph, are seniors who came back to school to help the Cowboys try and break through to win a Big 12 championship. Texas A&M star Christian Kirk also was named a first-team All-American alongside Washington.
As for the linemen, Ed Oliver (Spring Westfield) earns a first-team nod after earning postseason honors as a true freshman last season. The sophomore was a beast on the field last year finishing with 65 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss and five sacks. Even under new head coach Major Applewhite, Oliver is expected to maintain his high level of play for the Cougars in 2017. Junior offensive lineman Connor Williams (Coppell) was the lone Texas Longhorn to make the Preseason All-American team.
Second Team
Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
SMU wide receiver Courtland Sutton surprised some people by coming back to school for his redshirt junior year, but the Mustangs star is expected to have another big year under head coach Chad Morris. He had plenty of chances to make plays in 2016, finishing with 76 catches for 1,246 yards and 10 touchdowns. As the Mustangs try to earn a bowl berth in 2017, Sutton is expected to be one of the key pieces.
Finally, UTEP senior guard Will Hernandez earned a second-team All-American nod from the Associated Press. A three-year starter at left guard, Hernandez enters his final year in El Paso looking to end a stellar career with an appearance in a bowl game. After blocking for Aaron Jones last year, he should have an even better chance of showing of what he can do.
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