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There were some difficult choices on our All-America team, particularly at receiver. There was also no shortage of sensational quarterback play this season.
Only five players made all three of our All-America teams (preseason, midseason and postseason) in 2023: Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, Georgia center Sedrick Van Pran, Kansas State offensive guard Cooper Beebe, Alabama outside linebacker Dallas Turner and Georgia safety Malaki Starks.
Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt, Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., Beebe, Bowers and Van Pran were all repeat selections from a year ago.
OFFENSE
QB: Jayden Daniels, LSU
Daniels went from being an upper-tier quarterback in the SEC a year ago to the Heisman Trophy winner this season, LSU’s second Heisman winner in the past five years (Joe Burrow, 2019). In his fifth college season, Daniels was nothing short of spectacular in a record-setting campaign that saw him pass for 3,812 yards, rush for 1,134 yards and account for 50 touchdowns.
Second team: Michael Penix Jr., Washington
RB: Cody Schrader, Missouri
From Truman State to a walk-on at Missouri, Schrader has exemplified what it means to bet on yourself and never give up on your dreams. He leads all FBS players with an average of 124.9 rushing yards per game. His 1,499 rushing yards are 433 more than the closest SEC running back, and he became only the 10th FBS player ever to rush for 200 yards and have 100 receiving yards in the same game this season against Tennessee.
Second team: Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
RB: Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
There were wild ups and downs for Oklahoma State, but the Cowboys managed to make it to the Big 12 championship game with Gordon leading the way. He carried the ball just 19 times in his first three games, but took off after that to pile up an FBS-leading 1,614 rushing yards and finish second with 20 rushing touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 211-pound sophomore leads all Power 5 players with 1,940 all-purpose yards.
Second team: Audric Estime, Notre Dame
WR: Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
Marvin Harrison Jr. averaged more than 18 yards per catch this season for Ohio State. Lawrence Iles/Icon Sportswire
There was some concern in Columbus after Harrison sprained an ankle in a Sept. 23 win over Notre Dame, but he quickly returned to form to repeat as an ESPN All-American. One of four finalists for the Heisman Trophy, Harrison averaged 18.1 yards per catch, which leads all FBS players with more than 60 receptions, and he’s tied for second nationally with 14 touchdown catches to go along with a rushing touchdown
Second team: Malik Washington, Virginia
WR: Malik Nabers, LSU
Nabers had an incredible 34 catches of 20 yards or longer and 17 of 30 yards or longer. He and Daniels formed the most explosive pass-catch combo in the country. Nabers leads the FBS with an average of 128.8 receiving yards per game and is tied for second with 14 touchdown catches. (The only player with more is teammate Brian Thomas Jr. with 15.) Nabers was Pro Football Focus’ highest graded receiver (93.0).
Second team: Rome Odunze, Washington
TE: Brock Bowers, Georgia
It’s easy to make a case that Bowers, when healthy, is the best player in the country. But even after undergoing ankle surgery and not being 100 percent when he returned, Bowers was still the nation’s best tight end. He catches everything, runs great routes, picks up yards after the catch and blocks like an offensive lineman. Bowers leads all FBS tight ends with an average of 71.4 receiving yards per game and is tied for the lead with six touchdown catches, all in just 10 games.
Second team: Dallin Holker, Colorado State
OT: Joe Alt, Notre Dame
Alt is a two-time ESPN All-American and has been a fixture for the Irish at left tackle since the early stages of his freshman season. The 6-8, 322-pound junior has made 33 consecutive starts and is incredibly agile for a guy his size. He started out as a tight end. Alt has given up just one sack and four quarterback pressures in 368 pass-blocking assignments this season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Second team: JC Latham, Alabama
OG: Cooper Beebe, Kansas State
Beebe joins Alt as a two-time All-American on our offensive line and has been a staple on Kansas
