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ESPN releases preseason All-America team, including 4 B1G players
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ESPN released its 2021 preseason All-America team on Thursday morning.
The list, spearheaded by Chris Low, only produced a First Team and included four players from the Big Ten.
Ohio State had two players make the cut: Receiver Chris Olave and offensive lineman Thayer Munford. Here’s analysis from Low on these selections:
One of Ryan Day’s most important recruits this offseason was holding onto Olave, who spurned the NFL draft to return for his senior season. He’s an elite athlete and equally explosive and will team with Garrett Wilson to give Ohio State two of the most talented receivers in the country. The 6-1, 188-pound Olave has been the Buckeyes’ top pass-catcher each of the previous two seasons and caught seven touchdown passes in seven games in 2020.
Ohio State’s offensive line in 2021 should be loaded, especially with the 6-6, 320-pound Munford returning for a fifth season. One of the Big Ten’s most experienced players, he has played in 45 of 50 games over the past four seasons. And thanks to Dawand Jones’ development, Munford is poised to move from left tackle to left guard, paving the way for the Buckeyes to get their five best offensive linemen on the field.
Wilson did not make the cut, despite producing 723 yards and 6 touchdowns across just 8 games last season. Clemson’s Justyn Ross was the other receiver selected.
Elsewhere in the Big Ten, Iowa’s Tyler Linderbaum was selected as ESPN’s preseason All-American center. Linderbaum might be the best offensive lineman in the country this season.
Northwestern’s Brandon Joseph also made the cut after recording six interceptions as a freshman in 2020. Joseph was the only Big Ten player to be picked on the defensive side of the ball. The conference didn’t have any representatives on special teams.
The first Big Ten game of the 2021 season is on Aug. 28 as Illinois hosts Nebraska.
Spenser is the news manager at Saturday Road and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.