USA Today released its preseason All-American teams today, and Jameis Winston was bumped to the second team. On the first team was Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, the dual-threat quarterback who — along with Winston — is a candidate for the first pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Winston’s snub aside, Florida State was well-represented on USA Today’s lists. Tight end Nick O’Leary, guard Tre’ Jackson and kicker Roberto Aguayo were on the first team. Wide receiver Rashad Greene, tackle Cameron Erving and defensive back Jalen Ramsey were on the second team.
Mariota and Winston have gone back and forth on these honors this summer. Winston was named preseason first-team All-American by Sports Illustrated, which had Mariota on the second team. Phil Steele’s list mirrored USA Today’s at the quarterback position. Athlon Sports has Winston on the first team with Mariota on the second.
Honestly, it’s difficult to call Winston’s relegation to the second team a true snub. While it’s counterintuitive that the reigning Heisman isn’t on the preseason first-team All-American team, Mariota is pretty dang good, too. And at least it wasn’t Brenden Motley.
Shoutout to the media member who voted Brenden Motley preseason ACC Player of the Year. Brenden Motley! In a conference with Jameis Winston!
— Chris Moore (@Moore_ACCSports) July 21, 2014