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Heading into the 2015 college football season WalterFootball.com will debut our projections for the nation’s leaders during the fall. The All-American teams always have some surprises, and the stars of next fall could be the headlining players next May in the 2016 NFL Draft.
First-Team Offensive Tackles:
Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss
During the 2014 season, some believed that Tunsil was the best offensive lineman in college football, and many believed that he would have been a top-10 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft if he were eligible to enter. The 6-foot-5, 305-pounder is extremely quick and athletic with natural bending skills to mirror speed rushers. Not only does Tunsil match up well with speed rushers, but he gets movement in the ground game. Tunsil had a tremendous year in 2014 and could be even more dominant as a junior.
Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame
Stanley took over at left tackle with Zack Martin in the NFL and did a great job for the Fighting Irish. Stanley is strong and quick. He has good length to him and finishes his blocks extremely well. Stanley has the speed and agility to mirror speed rushers and is strong to get movement in the ground game.
Stanley surprisingly decided to go back to school for his senior year rather than being a top-20 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. He will get plenty of attention playing for Notre Dame and looks like a lock to be a First-Team All-American.
Second-Team Offensive Tackles:
Jack Conklin, Michigan State
Conklin is a well-balanced blocker who is effective in protecting the passer and opening holes in the ground game. He turned in an impressive 2014 season as the blind-side protector for Connor Cook. Conklin (6-6, 303) could use more strength for the next level, but he should get plenty of attention with Cook as his signal-caller. Cook is a top prospect for the NFL and a Heisman Trophy contender. If Conklin has another steady season protecting Cook, that could easily lead to All-American honors for Conklin.
Cam Robinson, Alabama
Robinson was a freshman sensation for the Crimson Tide in 2014. He was the leader on an offensive line that allowed only 16 sacks on the season. Robinson was extremely good in pass protection and also opened holes on the ground. It is rare for freshmen to win starting spots with the Crimson Tide, but Robinson was the real deal and looks like he has the potential to be a high first-rounder in his draft class. The scary part for the opposition is Robinson (6-6, 326) has a ton of upside and could be a truly dominant blocker over the next two seasons.
Third-Team Offensive Tackles:
Taylor Decker, Ohio State
Decker (6-7, 315) enters his senior season with two years of starting experience. His run blocking is ahead of his pass protection, but to finish 2014, he played extremely well, protecting Cardale Jones and opening holes for Ezekiel Elliott. Decker has a ton of talent around him on the offensive line and at the skill positions. Elliott will make the Buckeyes’ line look good as well. Playing the blind side for the defending National Champions with an easy Big Ten schedule should set up Decker for an All-American season.
Spencer Drango, Baylor
Drango has been a strong left tackle for Baylor since his first season. He has been a quality run blocker and steadily improved his pass protection. Before getting injured, Drango was reaching dominant form as a pass protector for Bryce Petty in 2013. Last year he had another solid year protecting Petty, but Drango had some lowlights with some of the better edge rushers he went against. Drango should be at his best as fourth-year starter during his senior year.
Honorable Mentions: Texas Tech’s LeRaven Clark, Texas A&M’s Germain Ifedi, LSU’s Jerald Hawkins, Georgia’s John Theus, South Carolina’s Brandon Shell, Oregon’s Tyler Johnstone, Florida State’s Roderick Johnson, USC’s Chad Wheeler, USC’s Zach Banner and UCLA’s Caleb Benenoch.
2015 Preseason All-American Projections:
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K/P
Rimington Trophy | Mackey Award | Outland Trophy | Biletnikoff Award | Walker Award | Hendricks Award | O'Brien Award | Butkus Award | Thorpe Award | Groza Award | Guy Award | Lombardi Award | Lott IMPACT Trophy | Maxwell Award | Hornung Award | Nagurski Award | Camp Award | Jet Award | Heisman Trophy | College Playoff Projections
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K/P
Rimington Trophy | Mackey Award | Outland Trophy | Biletnikoff Award | Walker Award | Hendricks Award | O'Brien Award | Butkus Award | Thorpe Award | Groza Award | Guy Award | Lombardi Award | Lott IMPACT Trophy | Maxwell Award | Hornung Award | Nagurski Award | Camp Award | Jet Award | Heisman Trophy | College Playoff Projections
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