Announcing the 2023 College Football All-America Teams and Awards
It's time to announce the three 2023 college football All-America Teams and annual award winners.
It’s a few weeks later than I expected, but the Sports Talk with Sam Teets 2023 College Football All-America Teams and end-of-year awards are here. Today, we will reward the top performers from the current season. For those who aren’t familiar, the All-America Teams are formed from the most outstanding performers across the FBS, regardless of conference and experience.
Let’s hand out some hardware before getting into the three All-America Teams. Here are my selections for the key end-of-year awards.
*All stats are accurate as of December 15*
Coach of the Year: Kalen DeBoer, Washington
This award is pretty self-explanatory.
Maxwell Award: Jayden Daniels, LSU
The Maxwell Award is presented to the best player in college football.
Davey O'Brien Award: Jayden Daniels, LSU
The Davey O’Brien Award honors candidates who exemplify Davey O’Brien’s enduring character while exhibiting teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership in both academics and athletics. The award is presented annually to the nation's best college quarterback.
Biletnikoff Award: Malik Nabers, LSU
The Biletnikoff Award Trophy is presented annually to the nation's most outstanding college football receiver.
Doak Walker Award: Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
The prestigious Doak Walker Award was created in 1989 to honor the nation's most outstanding collegiate running back.
John Mackey Award: Brock Bowers, Georgia
The John Mackey Award annually honors the nation’s most outstanding tight end.
Outland Trophy: Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois
The Outland Trophy honors the best interior lineman in college football.
Rimington Trophy: Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
The Dave Rimington Trophy annually honors the nation’s most outstanding center.
Chuck Bednarik Award: Laiatu Latu, UCLA
The Chuck Bednarik Award is presented to the best defensive player in college football.
Bronko Nagurski Trophy: Laiatu Latu, UCLA
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is presented annually to the top defensive player in college football.
Lombardi Award: Laiatu Latu, UCLA
The Lombardi Award is presented to the college football lineman of the year.
Ted Hendricks Award: Laiatu Latu, UCLA
The Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award goes to the nation’s top defensive end.
Butkus Award: Payton Wilson, North Carolina State
The Butkus Award is one of the elite individual honors, given each year to the most impactful linebacker in the game.
Jim Thorpe Award: Tyler Nubin, S Minnesota
The Jim Thorpe Award is given annually to the best defensive back in college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability, and character.
Paul Hornung Award: Travis Hunter, Colorado
The Paul Hornung Award is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football.
Ray Guy Award: Tory Taylor, Iowa
The Ray Guy Award honors the nation's best collegiate punter.
First Team Offense
Quarterback: Jayden Daniels, LSU
Running Back: Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
Running Back: Jonathon Brooks, Texas
Tight End: Brock Bowers, Georgia
Wide Receiver: Malik Nabers, LSU
Wide Receiver: Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
Wide Receiver: Rome Odunze, Washington
All-Purpose: Luther Burden III, Missouri (WR)
Left Tackle: Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas
Right Tackle: JC Latham, Alabama
Left Guard: Cooper Beebe, Kansas State
Right Guard: Zak Zinter, Michigan
Center: Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
First Team Defense
Edge Rusher: Laiatu Latu, UCLA
Edge Rusher: Jalen Green, James Madison
Interior Lineman: Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois
Interior Lineman: T'Vondre Sweat, Texas
Linebacker: Payton Wilson, North Carolina State
Linebacker: Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M
Linebacker: Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson
Cornerback: Terrion Arnold, Alabama
Cornerback: Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
Nickel: Mike Sainristil, Michigan
Safety: Tyler Nubin, Minnesota
Safety: Caleb Downs, Alabama
Alabama and Texas, who are bound for the College Football Playoff, each had three players earn First Team All-America status. LSU and Michigan (two each) were the only other programs with multiple selections. Michigan went undefeated and had the nation’s stingiest scoring defense, only allowing 9.46 points per game. LSU had the nation’s most prolific offense, averaging 46.4 points per game.
There are three players on the offense who are only two years into their college careers, meaning they aren’t eligible for the NFL Draft. Superstar freshman Caleb Downs is the only member of the defense who doesn’t meet the three-year qualification to go to the draft.
The SEC led all conferences in selections with eight out of the 25. The Big Ten and Big 12 tied with five selections, followed by the Pac-12 (three) and ACC (two). Jalen Green and Quinyon Mitchell were the only First Team selections not from Power Five conferences.
Perhaps the most surprising decision that I came across when building this team was bypassing Joe Alt and Olu Fashanu for Kelvin Banks Jr. The young, star left tackle had some inconsistent snaps to start the year, but I thought he was more aggressive in the run game than Fashanu and had natural athleticism that gave him an advantage in pass protection over the heavier-footed Alt.
Second Team Offense
Quarterback: Bo Nix, Oregon
Running Back: Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
Running Back: Audric Estime, Notre Dame
Tight End: Ja'Tavion Sanders, Texas
Wide Receiver: Troy Franklin, Oregon
Wide Receiver: Malik Washington, Virginia
Wide Receiver: Luther Burden III, Missouri
All-Purpose: Ainias Smith, Texas A&M (WR)
Left Tackle: Joe Alt, Notre Dame
Right Tackle: Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
Left Guard: Michael Jurgens, Wake Forest
Right Guard: Christian Haynes, Connecticut
Center: Sedrick Van Pran, Georgia
Second Team Defense
Edge Rusher: Bralen Trice, Washington
Edge Rusher: Jared Verse, Florida State
Interior Lineman: Byron Murphy II, Texas
Interior Lineman: Deone Walker, Kentucky
Linebacker: Jay Higgins, Iowa
Linebacker: Jason Henderson, Old Dominion
Linebacker: Cedric Gray, North Carolina
Cornerback: Nate Wiggins, Clemson
Cornerback: Will Johnson, Michigan
Nickel: Jarrian Jones, Florida State
Safety: Xavier Watts, Notre Dame
Safety: Dillon Thieneman, Purdue
Notre Dame led all programs with three selections on the Second Team, including the nation’s leader in interceptions (Xavier Watts) and the eighth-leading rusher (Audric Estime). Florida State, Oregon, and Texas all had two players make the team.
Luther Burden III, Ashton Jeanty, Will Johnson, Dillon Thieneman, and Deone Walker are the five players on the Second Team who aren’t draft-eligible. Thieneman is just a true freshman, while Jeanty, a true sophomore, recently won the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year award.
The ACC led all conferences with six players on the Second Team. The Pac-12 and SEC tied with four nominations, followed by the Big Ten (three) and Big 12 (two). Christian Haynes, Jason Henderson, Ashton Jeanty, and the three Notre Dame products are the six representatives who aren’t linked to Power Five programs.
Troy Franklin and Malik Washington, who finished fifth and third in the nation in receiving yards respectively, had strong cases for inclusion on the First Team. Joe Alt, Byron Murphy II, and Nate Wiggins were also close calls.
Third Team Offense
Quarterback: Michael Penix Jr., Washington
Running Back: Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
Running Back: Cody Schrader, Missouri
Tight End: Ben Sinnott, Kansas State
Wide Receiver: Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
Wide Receiver: Ricky White, UNLV
Wide Receiver: Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
All-Purpose: Blake Watson, Memphis (RB)
Left Tackle: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State
Right Tackle: Ajani Cornelius, Oregon
Left Guard: Garrett Dellinger, LSU
Right Guard: Tate Ratledge, Georgia
Center: Zach Frazier, West Virginia
Third Team Defense
Edge Rusher: Jonah Elliss, Utah
Edge Rusher: Dallas Turner, Alabama
Interior Lineman: Howard Cross III, Notre Dame
Interior Lineman: Mason Graham, Michigan
Linebacker: Tyrice Knight, UTEP
Linebacker: Trevor Williams, Sam Houston
Linebacker: Tyren Dupree, Liberty
Cornerback: Cooper DeJean, Iowa
Cornerback: Kamari Lassiter, Georgia
Nickel: Tykee Smith, Georgia
Safety: Javon Bullard, Georgia
Safety: Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Texas Tech
Georgia (four) and LSU (two) were the only programs with multiple selections on the Third Team. Three of Georgia’s four players start in their secondary, which allowed the twelfth-fewest passing yards per game this season.
The SEC led the way with eight selections on the Third Team. The Pac-12 was a distant second with four, followed by the Big Ten (three), Big 12 (three), and ACC (one). Oddly enough, all three linebackers are from different Conference USA programs. Memphis (American Athletic), Notre Dame (independent), and UNLV (Mountain West) also had players appear.
Mason Graham, Omarion Hampton, and Tetairoa McMillan are the only players on the Third Team who aren’t eligible for the draft this cycle, bringing the total to nine such players across all teams.
All-America Team Recap
The three All-America teams featured 75 spots filled by 74 players (Luther Burden III appeared twice). The SEC led all conferences with 20 selections. The Big Ten and Pac-12 tied for second with 11 selections, followed by the Big 12 (ten) and ACC (nine). Last year, the Big Ten led the way with 17 total selections, followed by the Pac-12 (15), SEC (11), ACC (nine), and Big 12 (eight).
Georgia (six), Oregon (five), Texas (five), Alabama (four), LSU (four), Michigan (four), Notre Dame (four), and Washington (three) were the programs with three or more selections. Missouri had two players make the teams, but they claimed three total spots.
Ohio State only had one player (Marvin Harrison Jr.) earn All-America honors this year. That’s a steep decline from five last year, but we’ve seen teams rebound in the past. Alabama only had two All-Americans last year.
Honorable Mentions Offense
*Indicates priority honorable mentions
Drake Maye, QB North Carolina*
Carson Beck, QB Georgia
Jalen Milroe, QB Alabama
J.J. McCarthy, QB Michigan
Caleb Williams, QB USC
Dillon Gabriel, QB Oklahoma
Quinn Ewers, QB Texas
Jordan Travis, QB Florida State*
Kaidon Salter, QB Liberty
Cameron Ward, QB Washington State
Jordan McCloud, QB James Madison
Chandler Rogers, QB North Texas
Shedeur Sanders, QB Colorado*
Kimani Vidal, RB Troy*
Peny Boone, RB Toledo
Marcus Carroll, RB Georgia State
TreVeyon Henderson, RB Ohio State
Blake Corum, RB Michigan*
Tahj Brooks, RB Texas Tech*
R.J. Harvey, RB UCF
Bucky Irving, RB Oregon*
Jawhar Jordan, RB Louisville
Damien Martinez, RB Oregon State
Devin Neal, RB Kansas
Emani Bailey, RB TCU
Quinton Cooley, RB Liberty
Kairee Robinson, RB San Jose State
Jaydn Ott, RB Cal
Dillon Johnson, RB Washington
Caullin Lacy, WR South Alabama
Xavier Legette, WR South Carolina*
LaJohntay Wester, WR FAU
Tory Horton, WR Colorado State*
Joshua Cephus, WR UTSA
Elijah Sarratt, WR James Madison
Elic Ayomanor, WR Stanford
Xavier Worthy, WR Texas*
Dallin Holker, TE Colorado State*
Cade Stover, TE Ohio State
Justin Joly, TE Connecticut
Harold Fannin Jr., TE Bowling Green
Colston Loveland, TE Michigan
Jared Wiley, TE TCU
Darius Washington, LT Florida State
Graham Barton, LT Duke
Troy Fautanu, LT Washington*
Jordan Morgan, LT Arizona*
Aireontae Ersery, LT Minnesota
Will Campbell, LT LSU*
Javon Foster, LT Missouri
Patrick Paul, LT Houston
Dominick Puni, LT Kansas
Walter Rouse, LT Oklahoma
Kingsley Suamataia, LT BYU
Ozzy Trapilo, RT Boston College
Josh Fryar, RT Ohio State
Roger Rosengarten, RT Washington*
Armand Membou, RT Missouri
Christian Jones, RT Texas
Tyler Guyton, RT Oklahoma*
Trevor Keegan, LG Michigan
Preston Nichols, LG Purdue
Marcus Harper II, LG Oregon
Tyler Booker, LG Alabama
Brandon Coleman, LG TCU
Kurt Danneker, LG Ohio
Justin Mayers, LG UTEP
Logan Parr, LG SMU
Clay Webb, LG Jacksonville State*
Matthew Jones, RG Ohio State
Steven Jones, RG Oregon*
Miles Frazier, RG LSU
Luke Kandra, RG Cincinnati
Willis Patrick, RG TCU
Christian Mahogany, RG Boston College*
Justin Osborne, RG SMU
Elijah Klein, RG UTEP
Davion Carter, RG Memphis
Bucky Williams, RG Appalachian State
Addison West, RG Western Michigan
Ethan Miner, C North Texas
Parker Brailsford, C Washington
Branson Hickman, C SMU
Sincere Haynesworth, C Tulane*
Matt Lee, C Miami
Jacob Gideon, C Western Michigan
Jake Levengood, C Oregon State
Drake Nugent, C Michigan
Bryan Hudson, C Louisville
Honorable Mentions Defense
*Indicates priority honorable mentions
Gabriel Murphy, Edge UCLA*
B.J. Green II, Edge Arizona State
Brennan Jackson, Edge Washington State
Austin Booker, Edge Kansas
Ashton Gillotte, Edge Louisville
Jasheen Davis, Edge Wake Forest
Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Edge Virginia Tech
Kaimon Rucker, Edge North Carolina
James Pearce Jr., Edge Tennessee
Chris Braswell, Edge Alabama
Chop Robinson, Edge Penn State*
Nic Scourton, Edge Purdue
Elijah Roberts, Edge SMU
Mohamed Kamara, Edge Colorado State
Ben Bell, Edge Texas State
Javon Solomon, Edge Troy*
Ben Kopenski, Edge Tulsa
Dontay Corleone, IDL Cincinnati
Braden Fiske, IDL Florida State
Ruke Orhorhoro, IDL Clemson
Tyler Davis, IDL Clemson
Aeneas Peebles, IDL Duke
Marcus Harris, IDL Auburn
Bear Alexander, IDL USC
Brandon Dorlus, IDL Oregon*
Tyleik Williams, IDL Ohio State
Kenneth Grant, IDL Michigan
Adin Huntington, IDL Louisiana-Monroe
Patrick Jenkins, IDL Tulane
James Carpenter, IDL James Madison
Edefuan Ulofoshio, LB Washington
Jacob Manu, LB Arizona
Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, LB Oregon State
Aaron Casey, LB Indiana
Abdul Carter, LB Penn State
Collin Oliver, LB Oklahoma State
Nickolas Martin, LB Oklahoma State
Danny Stutsman, LB Oklahoma
Nathaniel Watson, LB Mississippi State
Harold Perkins, LB LSU
Matthew Salopek, LB Miami (OH)*
Bryce Houston, LB Ohio
Joe Andreessen, LB Buffalo
Khyree Jackson, CB Oregon*
Kris Abrams-Draine, CB Missouri*
Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB Alabama*
Benjamin Morrison, CB Notre Dame
T.J. Tampa, CB Iowa State*
Denzel Burke, CB Ohio State
Josh Newton, CB TCU
Beanie Bishop Jr., CB West Virginia
Elijah Jones, CB Boston College
Renardo Green, CB Florida State
Tacario Davis, CB Arizona
Travis Hunter, CB Colorado
Anthony Johnson Jr., CB Western Kentucky
Tyler Potts, CB Ball State
D'Angelo Ponds, CB James Madison
Cam Hart, CB Notre Dame
Jarius Monroe, CB Tulane
Jahdae Barron, NB Texas*
Michael Dowell, NB Miami (OH)
Malaki Starks, S Georgia*
Khalil Barnes, S Clemson*
Jeremiah Cooper, S Iowa State
Kamren Kinchens, S Miami*
Jaylin Simpson, S Auburn
Beau Brade, S Maryland
Hunter Wohler, S Wisconsin
Kitan Oladapo, S Oregon State
Jaden Hicks, S Washington State
Irshaad Davis, S Troy
Jaden Voisin, S South Alabama
Trey Taylor, S Air Force*
Shawn Asbury II, S Old Dominion
Brylan Green, S Liberty