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Heading into the 2017 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 April in the 2018 NFL Draft.
First-Team Offensive Tackles:
Trey Adams, Washington
Scouting sources say that they think that Adams could emerge as one of the top talents for the 2018 NFL Draft. They compared Adams’ size and athleticism to Taylor Lewan coming out of Michigan, and also that Adams has good technique to go with his impressive skill set. They think that the 6-foot-7, 309-pound Adams is bigger with better range than Connor Williams and more athletic than Mike McGlinchey. Another thing that impressed sources was how Adams played against Alabama in the first round of the college football playoff. They say that Adams shut down the Crimson Tide’s defenders anytime he was isolated on them. That Alabama defense featured three dangerous pass-rushers in the form of Jonathan Allen, Tim Williams and Ryan Anderson. Adams has a great skill set with a lot of athletic ability. He is the favorite to be the top offensive lineman in college football in 2017.
Connor Williams, Texas
Aside from Adams, sources say that Williams is a legit first-rounder too. The 6-foot-6, 290-pound Williams is a really good athlete who protects the edge well. He improved as a sophomore as he was a steady pass protector and a consistent run blocker. Williams possesses good length, quickness and athleticism, but it would be good to see him become stronger and show more heavy hands as a junior. Considering how well he developed as an underclassmen, it wouldn’t be surprising if Williams takes his game to another level in 2017.
Second-Team Offensive Tackles:
Mike McGlinchey, Notre Dame
McGlinchey could have been the closest thing to a franchise left tackle in the 2017 NFL Draft, but he decided to return for his senior year. McGlinchey was very impressive at left tackle for the Fighting Irish in 2016. As a run blocker, he can get movement at the point of attack. McGlinchey flashes heavy hands to push defenders out of their gaps and open holes for his back. In pass protection, he looks like a natural at left tackle, showing excellent feet to get depth in his kick slide and cut off speed rushers. McGlinchey also displays a nice ability to bend at the knee, and that in combination with his feet, keeps him from having to reach after edge rushers. The one consistent problem for McGlinchey is a lot of false start penalties. That issue could keep him from being a First-Team selection.
Martinas Rankin, Mississippi State
Rankin had a strong 2016 season as a run blocker and pass protector for Mississippi State. He received a second-round estimation from the NFL Draft Advisory Board for the 2017 NFL Draft, and he could definitely push that higher with a strong 2017 season. The 6-foot-5, 307-pounder is a tough player who creates movement at the point of attack and did a nice job of locking down his edge for quarterback Nick Fitzgerald in 2016.
Third-Team Offensive Tackles:
Mitch Hyatt, Clemson
Hyatt played well in 2016 and did his job to keep Deshaun Watson healthy. Hyatt had an impressive freshman season as the blind-side protector for Watson in 2015 as well. Not only did Hyatt help protect Watson, Hyatt did a nice job of opening holes for Wayne Gallman that season. Hyatt is a good athlete and a reliable blocker. He could end up being a Second-Team or First-Team selection given his rock-steady play.
Martez Ivey, Florida
Ivey blocked well last year, showing improvements in pass protection and run blocking. The key for him is to stay healthy and gain experience, as he has a ton of potential. Ivey was one of the top recruits in the nation coming out of high school and validated the ranking with impressive freshman and sophomore seasons. He was an effective starter at guard for Florida with natural athleticism. Ivey is a quick lineman with a natural build. With David Sharpe moving on to the NFL, Ivey is taking over at left tackle and could break out there for the Gators in 2017.
Honorable Mentions: Stanford’s Casey Tucker, Oklahoma’s Orlando Brown, Ohio State’s Jamarco Jones, Florida State’s Brock Ruble, Louisville’s Geron Christian, Oregon’s Tyrell Crosby, North Carolina’s Bentley Spain, LSU’s Toby Weathersby, Iowa’s Ike Boettger and Miami’s K.C. McDermott.
2017 Preseason All-American Projections:
QB| RB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K/P
2017 Preseason Postseason Award Projections:
Thorpe Award | Lombardi Award | Biletnikoff Award | Lott IMPACT Trophy | Outland Trophy | Rimington Trophy | Mackey Award | Butkus Award | Maxwell Award | Hendricks Award | O'Brien Award | Doak Walker Award | Bednarik Award | Nagurski Award | Hornung Award | Jet Award | Walter Camp Award | Ray Guy Award | Groza Award | Heisman Trophy
QB| RB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K/P
2017 Preseason Postseason Award Projections:
Thorpe Award | Lombardi Award | Biletnikoff Award | Lott IMPACT Trophy | Outland Trophy | Rimington Trophy | Mackey Award | Butkus Award | Maxwell Award | Hendricks Award | O'Brien Award | Doak Walker Award | Bednarik Award | Nagurski Award | Hornung Award | Jet Award | Walter Camp Award | Ray Guy Award | Groza Award | Heisman Trophy
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