College Football News: Midseason All-Americans Announced

The first half of the 2007 season was equipped with unforeseen results and excitement. There were as many upsets, close finishes and drama as any college football season in history, and it’s not over yet. As I look forward to the end of the season, I must first look at what has been and which players have truly excelled. These guys are not destined to make the final list, but they are deserving enough to make the Finditt.com Midseason All-American List.

Offense:

QB Andre Woodson, Sr., Kentucky

One of the nation’s most accurate passers in recent years, Woodson is a frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy. Leading a resurgent Kentucky program, which is perennially the doormat of the SEC East, Woodson has mastered one of college football’s best offenses. He has thrown 21 touchdowns and just four interceptions thus far this season. Woodson is also responsible for upsetting the #1 team in the nation, LSU last Saturday. He snapped his NCAA streak of 325 consecutive passes with no interception in the 45-17 win against Florida Atlantic.

RB Mike Hart, Sr., Michigan

After two excruciating losses to start off the season, Mike Hart guaranteed victory against Notre Dame and has been on a roll ever since. He leads the nation in carries (200), rushing yards (1078) and rushing yards per game (154.0). Michigan is back at the top of the Big 10 standings and it is mostly due to Hart.

RB Darren McFadden, Jr., Arkansas

McFadden has led the second-best rushing offense all season with the Heisman Trophy in his eyesight. The Arkansas Razorbacks rusher has destroyed the competition each and every game, except for his recent season-low of 43 yards against Auburn. He is fourth in the nation with 137 rushing yards per game.

WR Michael Crabtree, Fr., Texas Tech

This freshman sensation has scored at least twice in every game of the first six games of the season and already has set an NCAA freshman record with 17 touchdown catches. Crabtree leads the nation in touchdown receptions as well as overall catches (78) and receiving yards (1,224), all by a very strong margin.

WR Jordy Nelson, Sr., Kansas State

Jordy Nelson is arguably the best upperclassmen wide receiver in the nation since Crabtree is a freshman. Nelson is third in the nation in receptions (56) and fourth in receiving yards per game (121.17). In three-game span against Missouri State, Texas and Kansas, he had 37 catches for 462 yards and three touchdowns. The latter game was against Aqib Talib, whom many consider to be the best defensive back in the nation.

TE Travis Beckum, Jr., Wisconsin

The high school linebacker has become a hell of a tight end after all. Travis Beckum has completely changed his game from the hardnosed tackler to the versatile tight end. He has 46 catches, 555 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Badgers in all three categories. In the upset loss to Illinois, he had 11 receptions for 160 yards.

OT Jake Long, Sr., Michigan

As much credit as Hart should get for the resurgence of Michigan this season, Long is just as responsible. As last season’s Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, he is the frontrunner to repeat and to win the Outland Trophy this season. He has anchored the line for two different quarterbacks this season: senior Chad Henne and freshman Ryan Mallett.

OG Jonathan Luigs, Sr., Arkansas

Like Long and Hart, McFadden and Jonathan Luigs have quite a symbiotic relationship. Luigs is the best offensive lineman for the nation’s second-best rushing offense. He opens many of the holes for McFadden and running back Felix Jones, who leads the nation in yards per carry.

C Alex Mack, Jr. California

The California Golden Bears have risen as high as the #2 ranking in the nation on the backs of their offense. With center Alex Mack maintaining the line and protecting quarterback Nate Longshore and Justin Forsett, the Bears are in great hands also. Forsett is the Pac 10’s leading rusher and Mack allows Longshore enough time to pass to one of the nation’s best receiving corps.

OG Duke Robinson, Jr., Oklahoma

Many thought quarterback Sam Bradford would have issues as a freshman starting for Oklahoma’s big-time program. Robinson and his offensive line took it upon themselves to make his life that much easier. Bradford now leads the nation in passing efficiency and the Sooners average 202.1 rushing yards per game. Oklahoma is tied for sixth for sacks allowed with five in seven games.

OT Sam Baker, Sr., USC

The four-year starter has continuously been a leader and chief protector for two Heisman Trophy winners, Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush. This year, Baker has allowed USC to average nearly 5.5 yards per carry without having a feature back.

Defense:

DE George Selvie, Soph., South Florida

George Selvie went from being barely recruited to the hottest defensive player in the nation. He is so talented that he is the key component to why little-known South Florida is now #2 in the BCS rankings. Selvie is the most dominant pass rusher in the nation. He leads the nation in both sacks (10.5) and tackles for losses (18). Selvie is averaging more sacks per game by himself than 67 of the 120 I-A teams.

DT Glenn Dorsey, Sr., LSU

Each game, Glenn Dorsey solidifies himself as not only the best player on the field, but as the best player in the nation. This says a lot being that he is a defensive tackle. Many think he should be included in the Heisman Trophy race. Either way, Dorsey has been dominant all season. He ranks second on his team in solo tackles. He has 30 overall tackles and four sacks as the best player on a team that is second in the nation in total defense.

DT Sedrick Ellis, Sr., USC

Sedrick Ellis has been a stalwart on the Trojans defensive line for a couple of years. This season, he leads USC in tackles for loss (6) and is tied with Lawrence Jackson for sacks (4). He helps lead the fifth-best rushing defense and eighth-best total defense in the nation.

DE Chris Long, Sr., Virginia

The son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and Fox newscaster Howie Long is definitely following in his father’s footsteps. Chris Long is tied for fourth in the nation in sacks with seven. He is a key reason why Virginia is 6-1 and in contention to win the ACC this year.

LB Jordon Dizon, Sr., Colorado

He was a key component for the Buffaloes when they shocked the world, beating Oklahoma. In that game, he had nine tackles and a sack. Overall, he leads the nation in solo tackles (58) and total tackles (89). He also has three sacks and one interception on the year.

LB J Leman, Sr., Illinois

With the resurgence of the Illinois football program, J Leman has been a vital ingredient to the Illini defense. He is third in the nation in total tackles (81) and is on pace to lead the Big Ten in tackles for the second consecutive year.

LB James Laurinaitis, Jr., Ohio State

Last season, many feared that this inexperienced sophomore would not be able to replace A. J. Hawk. Well, James Laurinaitis not only replaced him, but was up for the Butkus Award. This year, he is proving he is no fluke. He leads the nation’s top total defense and scoring defense. He leads the team in tackles, is tied for the lead in interceptions and tied for second in sacks.

CB Malcolm Jenkins, Jr., Ohio State

Coming into this season, Malcolm Jenkins was considered the best cornerback in the country. Each game, he has proved that he is. Jenkins can shut down the opponents’ top target as he did to Purdue’s Dorien Bryant (holding him to -4 yards). Jenkins has picked off two passes and has emerged as a major reason the Buckeyes lead the nation in scoring defense and rank third in pass-efficiency defense.

CB Reggie Smith, Jr., Oklahoma

Like Highsmith, Reggie Smith is a great player on a great defense. However, Smith makes some very key plays when the Sooners need it. Against Miami, he returned a 61-yard fumble return. He also had a key interception against rival Texas and had 13 tackles (12 solo) against Colorado. Smith has already been named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week twice.

FS Jamie Silva, Sr., Boston College

A virtually unknown prior to this season, Jamie Silva has become a force to reckon with. Silva tied a school single-game record last week by intercepting three passes against Bowling Green. Silva ranks second in the nation with five interceptions and also has a team-high 49 tackles.

SS Craig Steltz, Sr., LSU

Like Dorsey, Steltz is a great player on a great defense. Unlike Dorsey, Steltz leads that great defense in solo tackles (30), total tackles (49), interceptions (four) and forced fumbles (two). He started the season on a high note with three interceptions against Mississippi State.

Special Teams:

K Swayze Waters, Jr., UAB

Swayze Waters leads the nation with 16 field goals and has made 84.2% of his attempts, including 3-for-3 from 50 yards or longer. He set a school single-game record vs. Alcorn State with five field goals, including a school-record 52 yarder.

P Durant Brooks, Sr., Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech leads the nation net punting and Durant Brooks is the reason for it. He is seventh in the nation in punting average with 45 yards per attempt. Only 10 of his 33 punts have been returned, plus half of his punts have been downed inside of the opponent’s 20-yard line. He is on pace to set a school record for single-season punting average.

KR Felix Jones, Jr., Arkansas

As a running back, Jones leads the nation in yards per carry with 10.2 yards per attempt. As a kick returner, he is fifth in the nation in yards per kickoff return (31.58) and tied for the most touchdowns with two.

PR Leodis McKelvin, Sr., Troy

Leodis McKelvin is a return specialist. He averages 21.2 yards per kickoff return, but leads the nation with 25.6 yards per punt return. McKelvin has returned two kickoffs for touchdowns. The amazing thing is that he has only had ten total kickoff returns.

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