Campus Confidential

By Adam Abramson

Ayyyyo…

So I didn’t get to any of this at work last night, hence I stayed up until 3am working on my All-Abramson Senior Teams. After two hours, I had only done first- and second-team offenses.

I decided to make All-Senior teams, All-Underclass teams and All-Freshman teams. So don’t freak out when you don’t see Calvin Johnson listed at WR. Tomorrow I will release my All-Underclass team with Friday being freshman day.

I’ve got a couple of life items to take care of before I can get to the defenses, but they’ll be up by 6 p.m…I hope.

Reports from the South tell me the Chicken Enchilada Grilled Stuft Burrito is phenomenal. I really want to try one, but this cross-contamination E.coli news is putting a big crimp in my plans. Has anyone else had one of these? Reports please…

Onto the All-Abramson teams…

All-Abramson First Team Senior Offense

Quarterback
Troy Smith, Ohio State

One interesting fact about Smith’s 12 wins this year is that he did it all with his arm. Could you imagine if you added the former punt-returner’s legs into the equation?

Running Back
Garrett Wolfe, Northern Illinois

He started out with a bang and slowly faded. But he’s shown that he can play much bigger than you would think his 5’7, 177-pound frame would let him. See his Ohio State performance for starters.

Fullback
Brian Leonard, Rutgers

He’s one of the most versatile and reliable players in any backfield. Leonard will pave the way for you, haul in a swing pass and hurdle a defender and get the tough yards between the tackles all on the same drive, no problem.

Wide Receivers
Jeff Samardzija, Notre Dame

His numbers were gaudier in 2005, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t have a great senior campaign. His play in the UCLA game is the reason the Irish are in a BCS bowl — 8 catches, 118 yards and 2 TDs, including the game-winner. That’s just clutch.

Steve Smith, Southern California

With all of the other weapons on offense, Smith managed to pull in 64 catches for 975 yards (15.2 per catch) and 8 TDs. You can’t really pin the Oregon State loss on his shoulders—he had 11 catches for 258 (yes, 258) and 2 TDs.

Tight End
Matt Spaeth, Minnesota

This man-child at 6’7, 265 lbs. was a vital part of the Minnesota offense. There’s a reason he won just about every tight end award out there this year.

Tackles
Joe Thomas, Wisconsin
Levi Brown, Penn State

What can you really say about a tackle besides he’s big, extremely reliable…and did I say big? I guess that’s about it. These two are beasts though.

Center
Dan Mozes, West Virginia

I’m sure Steve Slaton will miss him come next season.

Guards
Justin Blalock, Texas
Ben Grubbs, Auburn

These big uglies were good too…honestly, it’s hard to come up with good material for offensive linemen.

Returner
Steve Breaston, Michigan

He has so much experience in this role; I don’t know that I’d want many other guys back there. The All-Abramson teams aren’t always about the numbers. I take it all into consideration.

Punter
Daniel Sepulveda, Baylor

I could give about 50 reasons why he’s here, but he lead the country in punting this year. That’ll do for now. If you want the 50 reasons, go back and watch the college football awards show.

Kicker
Justin Medlock, UCLA

Call me crazy, but once again I selected the person who led the nation in this category.

All-Abramson Second Team Senior Offense

Quarterback
Brady Quinn, Notre Dame

Troy Smith and Brady Quinn were clearly the two best quarterbacks in the country this year. Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis asked a lot from Quinn in his final campaign and he delivered just about every time.

Running Back
Jon Cornish, Kansas

I know what you’re thinking: “WHO?!” But let me explain…First, of the top 100 rushers in the country, 19 were seniors. The only other back I considered was Tony Hunt from Penn State, but Cornish, despite being Canadian, had over 80 yards in all but one game this year and eclipsed the century mark eight times (1,457 rushing yards, 5.83 per carry). Include his receiving yards and he’s good for almost 140 yards per game.

Fullback
Jason Snelling, Virginia

He was Virginia’s featured back this year and was more than capable of playing that role, but he has the build and the toughness to pave the way for a running back. And with his hands, he’s a solid offensive weapon as well.

Wide Receivers
Aundrae Allison, East Caro.

Another name you might not know well, but he has all the tools. He was good for about six catches a game (more than both of my first teamers, by the way).

Dwayne Bowe, LSU

He has the size at 6’3, 217. He has the speed and the hands with 60 catches (149 in three seasons). He has the nose for the end zone with 11 touchdowns (25 in three seasons). And he did it against some of the best defenses in the country every year.

Tight End
John Carlson, Notre Dame

Playing in just 10 games, Carlson had 621 receiving yards and found the end zone four times. At 6’6, 250, he’d probably dehumanize me in a fight as well.

Tackles
Zac Tubbs, Arkansas
Aaron Sears, Tennessee

Well, we’re back to the offensive linemen. Just trust me, these two guys are awesome.

Center
Ryan Kalil, Southern California

Again…he’s good.

Guards
Josh Beekman, Boston College
T.J. Downing, Ohio State

Yup…good.

Returner
Johnnie Lee Higgins, Jr., Texas-El Paso

He finished third in the country in all-purpose yards. Every time he touched the ball he was good for 16.58 yards. And he had 15 total TDs.

Punter
Jeremy Kapinos, Penn State

When he punted, he punted well. He was a Ray Guy finalist, so that says enough for me.

Kicker
Brandon Pace, Virginia Tech

He was 17-18 (.944) and he had a streak of 20+ dating back to last season that ended in the season finale with a 47-yarder that missed.