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    The All-Americans of the 2022 College Football Season

    Phillip RiggsBy Updated:No Comments17 Mins Read
    All-American tackles Dawand Jones (79) Paris Johnson Jr. (77)
    All-American tackles Dawand Jones (79) Paris Johnson Jr. (77) (Photo by Ohio State Athletics)

    The All-Americans of the 2022 College Football Season

    I am doing things differently than most who write things like this. There are two main differences. The first is I wait until after the season is completed and take all the games into account. The second is taking into account how full of a season players played. For example, the two best running backs in college football were probably Blake Corum of Michigan and Bijan Robinson of Texas. They, however, missed their last games. Corum because of injury and Robinson to prepare for the NFL Draft.

    I don’t fault either player for this. Corum can’t control being injured and Robinson is making a very difficult and personal decision about his future. So leaving them out in favor of a Mohammed Ibrahim of Minnesota isn’t a knock on Robinson or Corum but a praise of Ibrahim and players like him who risk it to play one more game. Who put one more effort of tape and numbers together for themselves and for their team. So, if a player is left out because of situations like this, it isn’t a slight to them but more of a praise to the guy who is listed.

    First Team All-Americans

    Offense

    Quarterback: C.J. Stroud, Ohio State, Junior.

    Stroud gets this over the Heisman winner Caleb Williams because Stroud had nearly as many touchdown passes (41 to Williams’ 42) and in one less game. Stroud also showed up better against Georgia than anyone else this year and as well as the 2021 Heisman winner did when they upset the Dawgs last season. On the year Stroud was 258 of 389 for 3,688 yards and 41 touchdowns and in his career he was 575 of 830 for 8,123 yards and 85 touchdowns.

    Running Back: Mohammed Ibrahim, Minnesota, Senior.

    All-Americans Mohammed Ibrahim of Minnesota
    All-American Mohammed Ibrahim of Minnesota (Photo by Minnesota Athletics)

    Ibrahim had 320 carries for 1,665 yards and 20 touchdowns in only 12 games in his senior season. His 1,665 yards were third in the nation in rushing yards and his 20 touchdowns were first. He eclipsed the century mark in yards 10 out of 12 times this season and had at least one touchdown 11 out of 12 times. He finishes his career as Minnesota’s leading rusher with 867 carries for 4,668 yards, 5.3 yards per carry, and 53 touchdowns.

    Fullback: Brad Roberts, Air Force, Senior.

    Another way I’m different is by picking true fullbacks. The position is making a much-needed return and part of that is guys like Brad Roberts. Roberts lead the nation in rushing yards this season with 1,728 on 345 carries, averaging 5.0 yards per carry with 17 touchdowns which was good enough for eighth in the nation. Roberts carried Air Force on his back to a Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, an Armed Forces Bowl win, and a 10-3 record. He has 708 carries for 3,545 yards and 33 touchdowns in his career at Air Force.

    Tight End: Brock Bowers, Georgia, Sophomore.

    Bowers had 72 touches (63 catches and nine runs) for 1,051 total yards (942 receiving, 109 rushing) and 11 total touchdowns (7 receiving, 4 rushing). Despite teams knowing what a weapon he was because of his successful freshman year, Bowers came through in the big games. Catching a touchdown against LSU (SEC Championship) TCU (National Championship) Georgia Tech, and Florida (rivalries). And while the Buckeyes kept him out of the endzone, Bowers converted a crucial fourth down and one play in their nail-bitter win over Ohio State.

    Wide Receiver: Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State, Sophomore.

    It can be argued that Harrison was the most valuable player in college football this year as no team was more affected by having their best guy in and out of games than the Buckeyes were with Harrison. If he doesn’t get concussed (and the refs don’t miss the targeting call, but that’s another story) the Buckeyes are likely national champions. Harrison was sixth in receiving yards and fourth in touchdowns nationally. He had 77 catches for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns. Georgia couldn’t stop him on the field so had to knock him off it. In three quarters he had five catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns before being taken out by a cheap shot.

    Wide Receiver: Nathaniel Dell, Houston, Junior.

    Dell was the national leader in receiving this year. He was second in catches with 109, first in yards with 1,398, and first in touchdowns with 17. He had two touchdown grabs in six of Houston’s 13 games. One of the best ways to describe how good Dell was is to say he had more catches, yards, and touchdowns than greats like Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. and Tennessee’s Jalin Hyatt.

    Left Tackle: Paris Johnson, Ohio State, Junior.

    In this play, on the far left of the Buckeye offensive line, Johnson gives Stroud time to throw the touchdown pass on the seam route.

    One half of Ohio State’s rooks. Because like the chess pieces, he and right tackle Dawand Jones kept their king, C.J. Stroud, clean. They guarded his flanks well enough that Stroud was sacked on average less than once per game, only 12 times in 13 games, and four of those were to a tough Georgia front that they still protected Stroud from enough to put 41 points on the board.

    Offensive Guard: Steve Avila, TCU, Senior.

    Avila was a big reason TCU was in the top seven in rushing touchdowns with 37 on the year. No Horned Frog benefited from that more than TCU running back Keandre Miller. Miller had 1,399 yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground behind Steve Avila for the national runner-up TCU Horned Frogs.

    Center: Olusegun Oluwatimi, Michigan, Senior.

    Olusegun Oluwatimi not only won the Rimington Trophy for the nation’s best center and the Outland Trophy for the nation’s best interior lineman but he also paved the way for the Wolverines to be third in the nation in total rushing yards with 3,345, fifth in rushing yards per game with 238.9, second in rushing touchdowns with 41, and third with 5.58 yards per rush. This man was a combination of a tank and a bulldozer for the number three Wolverines.

    Offensive Guard: O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida, Senior.

    A consensus All-American and the highest-graded college guard by Pro Football Focus, the Louisiana transfer had a wonderful senior season with the Gators. He’ll next look to further prove himself once more at the Senior Bowl.

    Right Offensive Tackle: Dawand Jones, Ohio State, Junior.

    Jones gives Stroud good protection on this play in the Peach Bowl, showing his skill to go along with his size and strength.

    The ‘other’ rook and bookend tackle for the Buckeyes kept C.J. Stroud upright and slinging the ball this year. The massive Ohio State tackle will represent the Buckeyes in the Senior Bowl and looks to join Paris Johnson Jr. as a first-round draft pick. Their play gave the Ohio State passing game enough protection to average 9.46 yards per attempt, good enough for second nationally out of 131 teams.

    Defense

    Defensive Lineman: Jalen Carter, Georgia, Junior.

    Graded out as a guy who could be a top-five overall pick Carter is a true team player, freeing up teammates to get the numbers. Whether it’s showing off as a lead blocker in the video above or eating up blockers himself (his specialty) Carter helps his team. In this championship season he had 32 tackles, seven tackles for a loss, three sacks, three pass breakups, two fumbles forced, and 29 quarterback hurries!

    Defensive Lineman: Tuli Tuipulotu, USC, Junior.

    All-American Tuli Tuipulotu
    All-American Tuli Tuipulotu bids farewell to USC (Photo via Tuli Tuipulotu’s Twitter Account)

    Of his 46 tackles 22 of them went for a loss. He led the nation in sacks with 13.5. He had three passes broken up, and three quarterback hurries, meaning he brought the quarterback down most of the times he got near him, and two forced fumbles. Some NFL team will get a stand out in this young man.

    Defensive Lineman: Durrell Johnson, Liberty, Senior.

    Johnson had 27.5 tackles for a loss, nine sacks, one forced fumble, three fumbles, recovered, and an interception. Johnson’s tackles for a loss led the nation and Liberty had 121 tackles for a loss to lead the nation too. The Flames’ defense averaged 9.3 tackles for a loss per game and Johnson was the man dropping napalm with his tackles behind the line.

    Edge: Will Anderson Jr., Alabama, Junior.

    Will Anderson had 51 tackles, 17 of which were for a loss, and 10 sacks. He also had an interception (returned for a touchdown) a pass broken up, and 12 quarterback hurries. He had a total of 22 times that he pressured the quarterback. He’ll be a top five pick and his pressure on the quarterback is why.

    Linebacker: Jack Campbell, Iowa, Senior.

    Jack Campbell had 128 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, two interceptions, one sack, one fumble forced, and a safety. He won the Butkus Award for best linebacker and the Campbell Award (the academic Heisman) while leading the tough Hawkeye defense.

    Linebacker: Nick Herbig, Wisconsin, Junior.

    Nick Herbig had 47 tackles, 15.5 tackles for a loss, and led the Big Ten with 11 sacks, and had two forced fumbles. He was the leader for the Wisconsin defense that finished 11th in total defense and 17th in scoring defense.

    Linebacker: Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State, Senior.

    Eichenberg had 120 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, and an interception returned for a touchdown. Eichenberg was the centerpiece and most consistent player in Ohio State’s new defense. He was a big part of the Buckeyes improving from 51st in total defense to 14th. As well as improving from 96th to 8th in third-down defense.

    Defensive Back: Clark Phillips, Utah, Junior.

    Phillips had 24 tackles, two tackles for a loss, one sack, six passes broken up, and six interceptions, the second most in the nation, two of which he returned for touchdowns. Phillips was a unanimous and consensus All-American and will be a high draft pick this spring.

    Defensive Back: Devon Witherspoon, Illinois, Junior.

    Witherspoon had 41 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, and three interceptions and graded out as one of the best defensive backs of the year. Witherspoon was so good in coverage that quarterbacks wouldn’t even throw it at the man he was covering, hence why Witherspoon’s numbers may seem modest to those who didn’t get to see him much. Trust me, he’s good and knows who to defend the pass.

    Defensive Back: Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State, Junior.

    Emmanuel Forbes had 46 tackles, one tackle for a loss, one blocked kick, 10 passes broken up, and six interceptions. Forbes didn’t only have a nose for the football but one for the end zone as he took three of his six interceptions to the house for touchdowns.

    Defensive Back: Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, TCU, Senior.

    Hodges-Tomlinson had 50 tackles, two tackles for a loss, three interceptions, and one forced fumble, and 15 passes defended. Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson won the Jim Thorpe Award given to the best defensive back in college football. He was a huge part of TCU going 13-2 and being the national runner-up.

    Kicker: Jake Moody, Michigan, Senior.

    Jake Moody was 29 of 35 including three field goals made from beyond 50 yards and was a perfect 60 of 60 on extra points. Moody didn’t win the Groza this year but should have. He made one more field goal than the winner, and while he had a few more misses they were from the extreme of most kickers range.

    Punter: Bryce Baringer, Michigan State, Senior.

    Baringer had 50 punts for 2,450 yards for an average of 49 yards per punt. Baringer would flip fields for the Spartans with ease and was a tremendous help to their defense this season.

    Returner/ All-Purpose: Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State, Junior.

    Deuce Vaughn was a dual threat for Kansas State. He had 293 carries for 1,558 yards and nine touchdowns rushing with 42 catches for 378 yards and three touchdowns receiving. This gave him 335 touches for 1,936 yards and 12 touchdowns.

    Second Team All-Americans

    Quarterback: Stetson Bennett, Georgia, Senior.

    Stetson Bennett was 310 of 454 for 4,127 yards and 27 touchdowns passing, with 205 yards and 10 touchdowns rushing. The only thing that kept Bennett from being the top quarterback in the nation this year was that he had four games where he didn’t throw a touchdown and two games where he didn’t get any kind of score. Still, his hot streak at the end of the year again bumped up here above some other talent quarterbacks.

    Running Back: Chase Brown, Illinois, Junior.

    Brown had 328 carries for 1,643 yards and 10 touchdowns rushing with 27 catches for 240 yards and three touchdowns rushing. Brown was fourth in the nation in rushing yards and only played in 12 games.

    Fullback: Carson Steele, Ball State, Sophomore.

    Steele had 289 carries for 1,556 yards and 14 touchdowns rushing with 166 yards and one touchdown receiving. UCLA will likely use him more as a running back but he was at very least part fullback at Ball State. I got to see Steele in person against my Miami (Ohio) Redhawks and the hype is real and his ceiling is very high.

    Tight End: Dalton Kincaid, Utah, Senior.

    Kincaid had 70 catches for 890 yards and eight touchdowns. His biggest game came in the Utes first victory over USC when he caught 16 passes for 234 yards and a touchdown. It’ll be interesting to see where Kincaid gets drafted since his Utah career is wrapped up.

    Wide Receiver: Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee, Junior.

    Hyatt had 67 catches for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns with his huge game against Alabama making the headlines. He had six catches against the Tide (for 207 yards) and five of them were for touchdowns. His game against Bama will last forever in Big Orange Country.

    Wide Receiver: Charlie Jones, Purdue, Senior.

    Jones had 110 catches for 1,361 yards and 12 touchdowns. Jones had 89 more catches, 1,038 yards, and nine  touchdowns more in his one season at Purdue than he had in his last season at Iowa. An incredible advancement in output by a player.

    Offensive Tackle: Peter Skoronski, Northwestern, Junior.

    Skoronski and Northwestern don’t have a lot of numbers to back up the hype behind him but Skoronski’s technique is second to none. He uses his hands well and has great footwork.

    Offensive Guard: Zak Zinter, Michigan, Junior.

    All-American
    Zak Zinter (65). (Photo by Michigan Athletics)

    Behind Zinter and company, Blake Corum had 245 carries for 1,457 yards and 19 total touchdowns in only 11 games as the Wolverines were the fifth best rushing attack in the nation in 2022.

    Center: John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota, Senior.

    The Minnesota man paved the way for All-American Mohammed Ibrahim and had Minnesota’s rushing attack ranked at 16th nationally.

    Offensive Guard: Trevor Keegan, Michigan, Senior.

    All-American
    Trevor Keegan (77). (Photo by Michigan Athletics)

    Keegan, Zinter, and Oluwatimi had Donovan Edwards and Blake Corum combine for 387 carries for 2,454 yards, and 25 touchdowns.

    Offensive Tackle: Andrew Vorhees, USC, Senior.

    Vorhees versatility is a huge asset to him and was to the Trojans in his time there. To be able to go to guard or tackle and fill whatever role he was needed shows character and putting the team first.

    Defensive Lineman: Jared Verse, Florida State, Junior

    Jared Verse had 48 tackles, 17 tackles for a loss, nine sacks, and three quarterback hurries for Florida State. It’s amazing and speaks to the culture of the team that he decided to forgo the NFL Draft and return to Tallahassee for one last ride.

    Defensive Lineman: J.T. Tuimoloau, Ohio State, Sophomore.

    Tuimoloau had 28 tackles, 10.5 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), four passes broken up, four quarterback hurries, one fumble forced, and one fumble recovered. Tuimoloau was good bordering on great all year and has set a high standard for himself to follow in 2023.

    Defensive Lineman: Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh, Junior.

    Calijah Kancey had 31 tackles, 14.5 tackles for a loss, 7.5 sacks, and 10 quarterback hurries. An undersized and underestimated defensive tackle who is a Pitt Panther, now where have I heard that before? Kancey is trying to follow in the footsteps of Aaron Donald and establish a culture at Pitt of the quick and athletic defensive tackle instead of the traditional big space eater.

    Edge: Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech, Senior.

    Wilson had 61 tackles, 14 tackles for a loss, seven sacks, eight quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He led the way for the Red Raider defense to be ranked 19th nationally in tackles for a loss with a total of 91 for the Red Raiders.

    Linebacker: Ivan Pace Jr., Cincinnati, Senior.

    Ivan Pace Jr. had 137 tackles, 21.5 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks, four passes broken up, seven quarterback hurries and three fumbles forced. Pace led the Cincinnati Bearcats to be 15th nationally in tackles for a loss and 27th in sacks.

    Linebacker: Jason Henderson, Old Dominion, Sophomore

    Henderson had 186 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, one sack, three passes broken up and a blocked kick. He led the nation in total tackles and was a true ball hawk, with more than 30 tackles between him and the second leading tackler in the nation.

    Linebacker: John Marshall, Navy, Senior.

    Marshall had 96 tackles, 19.5 tackles for a loss, 11.5 sacks, an interception, seven pass broken up, six quarterback hurries, and two fumbles forced. Marshall finished third in the nation in sacks and was a bright spot on a tough year for Navy.

    Defensive Back: Kalen King, Penn State, Sophomore.

    All-American Kalen King
    All-American Kalen King. (Photo by Penn State Athletics)

    King had 30 tackles, three tackles for a loss, one quarterback hurry, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, three interceptions, and 18 passes broken up. He is first in the Big Ten third nationally in that category.

    Defensive Back: Christopher Smith, Georgia, Senior.

    Smith had 61 tackles, five tackles for a loss, a sack, three interceptions, five passes broken up, three quarterback hurries and a forced fumble.

    Defensive Back: Sydney Brown, Illinois, Senior.

    Brown had 59 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, one sack, one fumble forced, one fumble recovered, one quarterback pressure, seven passes broken up, six interceptions and two defensive touchdowns. His six interceptions are second best in the entire country.

    Defensive Back: Decorian Patterson, Middle Tennessee, Junior.

    Patterson had 65 tackles, two tackles for a loss, one blocked kick, 12 passes broken up and seven interceptions. His seven interceptions led the college football world.

    Kicker: Christopher Dunn, N.C. State, Senior.

    Dunn made 28 of his 29 field goal attempts this year and was a perfect 30 of 30 on extra points which all led him to being the leading scorer in ACC history.

    Punter: Tory Taylor, Iowa, Junior.

    Taylor 82 punts for 3725 yards for 45.4 yards per punt and was called upon to punt 32 more times than the Ray Guy (best punter) Winner from Michigan State.

    Returner/ All-Purpose: Zach Charbonnet, UCLA, Senior.

    In only 10 games Charbonnet had 195 carries for 1,359 yards and 14 touchdowns rushing and 37 catches for 321 yards receiving. It makes one wonder what might have been different if Charbonnet had been healthy enough to have played in all 13 of UCLA’s games. Regardless, he’s had a heck of year and heck of a career.

    Check out some other football writers’ All-American teams and see who you agree with more!

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    I write about college football, it's past, present, and future. I cover Ohio State, BYU, the Big Ten, national college awards, and the MAC. The Ohio State Buckeyes and the BYU Cougars are my ride and die teams and I admit my heart is swayed toward the Scarlet and Gray and Royal Blue. I love my state of Ohio.

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