New Orleans, La. - Talk about a turnaround.
After a disappointing ending to the 2011 college football season, LSU is racking up a lot of preseason recognition. The USA Today Coaches' Poll recently ranked the team No. 1. Now, Sports Illustrated has named Tigers to its preseason All-American teams.
Tyrann Mathieu, also known as "The Honey Badger," was named to the first team twice – once as a defensive back and once as a return specialist. Mathieu was a Heisman finalist as a sophomore.
In all, five LSU players were named to the first and second teams. Mathieu, defensive end Sam Montgomery, Jr., safety Eric Reid and punter Brad Wing were named to the first team. Tackle Chris Faulk was the only LSU offensive player listed. He was named to the second team.
Alabama had three players named. The Southeastern Conference led all FBS leagues with seven teams and 14 players.
Here are the entire first and second teams…
FIRST TEAM
QB Matt Barkley, Sr., USC
RB Montee Ball, Sr., Wisconsin
RB Marcus Lattimore, Jr., South Carolina
WR Robert Woods, Jr., USC
WR Sammy Watkins, So., Clemson
TE Tyler Eifert, Jr., Notre Dame
T Ricky Wagner, Sr., Wisconsin
G Jonathan Cooper, Sr., North Carolina
C Barrett Jones, Sr., Alabama
G Chance Warmack, Sr., Alabama
T Luke Joeckel, Jr., Texas A&M
DE Jadeveon Clowney, So., South Carolina
DT Kawann Short, Sr., Purdue
DT Star Lotulelei, Sr., Utah
DE Sam Montgomery, Jr., LSU
LB Jarvis Jones, Jr., Georgia
LB Manti Te'o, Sr., Notre Dame
LB Chase Thomas, Sr., Stanford
CB Tyrann Mathieu, Jr., LSU
S T.J. McDonald, Sr., USC
S Eric Reid, Jr., LSU
CB David Amerson, Jr., NC State
K Quinn Sharp, Sr., Oklahoma State
P Brad Wing, So., LSU
Returns Tyrann Mathieu, Jr., LSU
All-purpose De'Anthony Thomas, So., Oregon
SECOND TEAM
QB Geno Smith, Sr., West Virginia
RB Rex Burkhead, Sr., Nebraska
RB Kenjon Barner, Sr., Oregon
WR Marquess Wilson, Jr., Washington State
WR Marqise Lee, So., USC
WR Keenan Allen, Jr., Cal
T Chris Faulk, Jr., LSU
G Travis Frederick, Jr., Wisconsin
C Gabe Ikard, Jr., Oklahoma
G Omoregie Uzzi, Sr., Georgia Tech
T D.J. Fluker, Jr., Alabama
DL Brandon Jenkins, Sr., Florida State
DL Alex Okafor, Sr., Texas
DL William Gholston, Jr., Michigan State
DL Jackson Jeffcoat, Jr., Texas
LB Arthur Brown, Sr., Kansas State
LB Khaseem Greene, Sr., Rutgers
LB Shayne Skov, Jr., Stanford
CB Jonathan Banks, Sr., Mississippi State
S Tony Jefferson, Jr. Oklahoma
S John Boyett, Sr., Oregon
CB Brodrick Brown, Sr., Oklahoma State
K Caleb Sturgis, Sr., Florida
P Ryan Allen, Sr., Louisiana Tech
Returns Tyler Lockett, So., Kansas State
All-purpose Tavon Austin, Sr., West Virginia
Conference breakdown:
SEC – seven teams and 14 players
Pac 12 – six teams and 12 players
Big 12 – five teams and 11 players
ACC – five teams and 5 players
Big Ten – four teams and 6 players
Big East – one team and 1 player
Independent – one team and 1 player
WAC – one team and 1 player
Tyrann Mathieu led LSU in tackles and the nation in forced fumbles last season. (AP Photo)
