By Charlie Campbell
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Heading into the 2018 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 2019 NFL Draft.
First-Team Tight End:
Noah Fant, IowaIowa has produced a lot of good tight end prospects in recent years, and Fant could keep that trend going after a breakout sophomore season. He hauled in 28 passes for 486 yards with 10 touchdowns in 2017. The 6-foot-5, 232-pounder looked like he was just scratching the surface of what he is capable of doing. Fant has size to his frame with the ability to get stronger and become a better blocker as he gains experience. The junior should be a vital piece of the Iowa offense in 2018 as a receiver and blocker. He could easily be the top tight end in the nation.
Second-Team Tight End:
Caleb Wilson, UCLAWilson was phenomenal in 2017 as the most reliable receiving threat for Josh Rosen. Prior to a season-ending foot injury, Wilson had 38 receptions for 490 yards and one touchdown in less than half a season of play. If he hadn’t been injured, Wilson could have had a prolific year with Josh Rosen at quarterback. Unfortunately for Wilson, Rosen is in the NFL, so that could hurt his production this season. Wilson is very talented, however, and could still produce an impressive year if he stays healthy.
Third-Team Tight End:
Albert Okwuegbunam, MissouriAs a redshirt freshman, Okwuegbunam was a dangerous red-zone weapon hauling in 11 touchdowns for the Tigers. Missouri opened up its offense in the back half of the 2017 season, and Okwuegbunam was one of their steady receiving threats, totaling 29 receptions for 415 yards on the year. Okwuegbunam has starting quarterback Drew Lock returning, and the big athlete is definitely capable of producing a big year as a redshirt sophomore.
Honorable Mentions: Boston College’s Tomy Sweeney, Kentucky’s C.J. Conrad, USC’s Tyler Petite, Alabama’s Irv Smith Jr. and Stanford’s Kaden Smith.
2018 Preseason All-American Projections:
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K/P
2018 Preseason Postseason Award Projections:
Thorpe Award | Lombardi Award | Biletnikoff Award | Lott IMPACT Trophy | Outland Trophy | Rimington Trophy | Mackey 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
2018 Preseason Postseason Award Projections:
Thorpe Award | Lombardi Award | Biletnikoff Award | Lott IMPACT Trophy | Outland Trophy | Rimington Trophy | Mackey 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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