By: David Ware (@davidware)
it is that time of the year again when we celebrate the end-of-the-season awards and the CFSL All-Americans. On offense, there are only two players with a previous All-American award and then seven first-timers. In a league full of talent it is amazing to think about the talent that did not win the All-American award this year. On defense, there are 10 first-time All-Americans, four second-time selections, and two players receiving their third All-American selections. So many great players were nominated and did not win as well as so many that could have easily been nominated, so all that won have been highly deserved.
Offensive All-Americans
It is crazy to think that the USC Trojans won back-to-back championships and they did it without winning the conference title or having their quarterback as an All-American, but this year they got their first conference title and Jameyson Golde won his first All-American award. At halfback, it was the two generational talents that battled each other for the rushing title back and forth all year. Bo Yost (Miami) and Taylor James (Colorado) are the only two on offense to have won a previous All-American and they were two of the three to break 1,000 rushing yards this year.
With the wide receivers, we had a tie for fourth spot, so five players were awarded with the All-American selections. Jamarcus Simpson III (USC), Dakoda Cydrus (LSU), Ace Shepard (Tennessee), Bobby Black (Michigan), and CJ Jones (Michigan) bring home the title as All-American this season. At tight end, Ace Elder (Michigan) is recognized as the top in the CFSL.
Defense
On the defensive line, three first-time All-Americans are joining Owen Moreland (Texas) who now has three selections. Myles Andrews (Virginia Tech), Kaleb Allen (Oklahoma), and Jesse Stork (Ohio State) were selected as the top defensive linemen with Andrews the only defensive tackle. The All-American linebackers sound like a murder row featuring Brandon Chen (Texas), Derrick Davis (USC), and Timmy Britt (Michigan State). Chen is the only first-time selection while Davis and Britt both have been selected once before.
In the secondary, there was only one cornerback with a previous selection and that was Roman Ware (Alabama). Jules Sanders (Colorado), Joe Bady (Michigan State), and Jordan Haack (USC) all enjoyed their first selection as there was a tie for the third selection so four cornerbacks were named as All-Americans. With the safeties, Ryan Downie (Michigan) is the only previous winner and he is joined by freshman Noah Radloff (Texas A&M) and Morgan Winters (USC).
Special Teams
Clemson got an All-American with kicker Fred Samuelson was perfect during the regular season 13-13 on field goals and 34 extra points as well this season. For kick returner, we have Chuy Baca (Auburn) win his third All-American but it is his first as a returner, as his previous two were for cornerback.
| Position | Player | Team |
| QB | Jamesyn Golde | USC |
| HB | Bo Yost | Miami |
| HB | Taylor James | Colorado |
| WR | Jamarcus Simpson III | USC |
| WR | Dakoda Cydrus | LSU |
| WR | Ace Shepard | Tennessee |
| WR | Bobby Black | Michigan |
| WR | CJ Jones | Michigan |
| TE | Ace Elder | Michigan |
| DL | Owen Moreland | Texas |
| DL | Myles Andrews | Virginia Tech |
| DL | Kaleb Allen | Oklahoma |
| DL | Jesse Stork | Ohio State |
| LB | Brandon Chen | Texas |
| LB | Derrick Davis | USC |
| LB | Timmy Britt | Michigan State |
| CB | Roman Ware | Alabama |
| CB | Jules Sanders | Colorado |
| CB | Joe Bady | Michigan State |
| CB | Jordan Haack | USC |
| S | Ryan Downie | Michigan |
| S | Noah Radloff | Texas A&M |
| S | Morgan Winters | USC |
| K | Fred Samuelson | Clemson |
| Ret | Chuy Baca | Auburn |
This year five teams had multiple All-Americans with USC leading the way with five selections, Michigan had four selections, and three teams had two selections. Michigan State, Colorado, and Texas are the three teams to get two All-American selections.
There are 10 more teams that had one All-American selection this season with those teams being Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, LSU, Miami, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Tennessee, and Virginia Tech. Together 15 of the 24 CFSL teams had an All-American this season which continues to show the parity in the league.
Congratulations to all of the All-Americans from Season 22 and to those who felt they should have won or got nominated, I encourage you to use this as fuel for your next season.
