2017 Preseason All-Louisiana College Football teams

Louisiana churns out NFL prospects each season from its numerous college football programs.

It is always an interesting challenge to decide who are the best players at their respective positions among state schools in a given season, so I take the easy way out year year and pick a first, second and third team All-Louisiana squads on both sides of the ball.

Some of my decisions were based on projections on how given players may end up the 2017 campaign more than past performance. Others have skins on the wall already.

1st team offense:
TE Kam McKnight (6’3, 235) Jr. from Louisiana Tech grabbed 19 passes for 288 yards (15 yards per catch) and three scores in the pass happy Bulldog offense.
OL Will Clapp (6’5, 314) Jr. has 23 starts for LSU but moves to center spot. He was the overall best blocker for Tigers in ’16.
OL O’Shea Dugas (6’5, 329) Jr. from Louisiana Tech has already racked up 25 starts in his first two seasons.
OL Frank Sutton (6’3, 302) Sr. from ULM was third team All-Sun Belt Conference blocker in 2016 has 25 career starts.
OL Toby Weathersby (6’5, 302) Jr. from LSU holds down right tackle spot for Tigers. Made strides in ’16.
OL Chandler Arceneaux (6’4, 260) Jr. from Nicholls State graded out 88 percent on blocks in ’16 as All-Southland Conference 1st teamer.
WR D.J. Chark (6’3, 187) Sr. from LSU 26 grabs for 466 yards and three touchdowns (17.9 yards per catch). Expecting breakout year.
WR Darious Crawley (5’11, 190) Sr. from McNeese is a Kansas transfer with 41 grabs, 701 yards and seven touchdowns in 2017. Ranks among top 50 receivers in nation.
WR Juwan Dickey (6’2, 180) Sr. from SLU had 42 catches for 768 yards and seven touchdowns in All-Southland Conference ’16 season.
QB Devante Kincaid (6’1, 190) Sr. from Grambling is an Ole Miss transfer w/ 3,036 yards passing, 31 touchdowns ans just four interceptions as 2016 SWAC Player of Year.
RB Derrius Guice (5’11, 218) Jr. from LSU, 1,387 yards 15 touchdowns (7.6 yards per carry) Mentioned in Heisman discussions.
RB Jared Craft (6’0, 213) Sr. from La. Tech, 1,107 yards, nine touchdowns (5.8 yds/carry)

1st Team Defense:
DL Arden Key (6’6, 265) Jr. from LSU has 56 tackles and 12 sacks to date; projected top five pick in 2018 NFL Draft.
DL Jaylen Ferguson (6’5, 255) Jr. from La. Tech had 49 stops and 14.5 sacks as junior.
DL Aaron Tiller (6’1, 256) Sr. from Southern had 60 tackles, 9 sacks, 17.5 tackles for loss, last year.
DL Sully Laiche (6’2, 255) Soph. from Nicholls State is a FCS All-American after 60 tackles, 13 TFL, 9.5 sacks (12th in nation) last year.
LB Joe Dillon (6’3, 215) Jr. from ULL managed 51 stops, 5.5 TFL as sophomore.
LB Allen Pittman (5’11, 205) Soph. from Nicholls State. Tazmanian devil-like defender who had 95 tackles, seven TFL, including 19 stops vs. Central Arkansas.
LB Nick Perotti (6’3, 244) Sr. from NW State. 75 stops, with season high 16 tackles against Central Arkansas.
DB Kevin Toliver (6’2, 193) Jr. from LSU among top cover corner talents in the nation had 21 stops in 2016.
DB Donte’ Jackson (5’11, 173) Jr. from LSU has blazing 4.24 forty speed. Nine passes broken up with 39 tackles as nickel corner last year.
DB Parry Nickerson (5’11, 190) Sr. from Tulane has 10 career interceptions including four picks with nine PBU in 2016.
DB Danny Johnson (5’10, 194) Sr. from Southern was first team All SWAC performer with 57 tackles, seven interceptions and nine PBU.

2nd Team Offense:
TE Foster Moreau (6’6, 254) Jr. from LSU. Very athletic player will have expand role in new offense.
OL Ryan Hanley (6’2, 290) Jr. from Nicholls States tarted at center as freshman, has wrestling background.
OL Kevin Dotson (6’4, 309) Soph. from ULL
OL K.J. Malone (6’4, 317) Sr. from LSU will man important LT spot for Tigers.
OL John Leglue (6’6, 310) Jr. from Tulane
OL Travis Romero (6’3, 320) Sr. from SLU has 22 starts and already twice named All-SLC.
WR Terron Encalade (6’0, 190) Jr. from Tulane made 36 grabs for 500 yards (13.9 yards per catch) as sophomore.
WR Keenan Barnes (6’3, 208) Sr. from ULL comes off 31 catch, 418 yard season with six scores.
WR Kent Shelby (6’3 194) Sr. from McNeese is a legit deep threat with 40 catches 509 yards and five touchdowns last fall.
QB James Tabary (6’2 205) Jr. from McNeese threw for 3,036 yards (seocnd most for a season in school history) w/ 23 touchdowns, just seven interceptions.
RB Martez Carter (5’8, 173) Sr. from Grambling tallied 906 yards and 11 trips to endzone in ’16.
RB Dontrell Hilliard (6’0, 205) Sr. from Tulane rushed for 771 yards and nine touchdowns (5.6 yards per totes) last year.

2nd Team Defense:
DL Rashard Lawrence (6’3, 295) Soph. from LSU could be next great DT in line with Glenn Dorsey, Kyle Williams, etc.
DL Jammerio Gross (6’2, 224) Sr. from McNeese. 59 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss.
DL Christian LaCouture (6’5, 301) Sr. from LSU was injured in 2016, returned to play one more year for Tigers.
DL Ade Aruna (6’6, 270) Sr. from Tulane has 43 stops, five sacks, five TFL with the Wave. He’s developed into a top pass rusher.
LB David Griffith (6’0, 211) Jr. from ULM 78 tackles, four sacks, eight TFL.
LB Devin White (6’1, 255) Soph. from LSU. 30 tackles in reserve role, expected to be leader in middle.
LB De’ Arrius Christmas (6’2, 225) soph. Grambling 69 tackles, 7.5 TFL , 3.5 sacks.
DB Jarrod Franklin (6’0, 205) Sr. from Tulane. 26 starts for WAVE, 78 tackles in 2016.
DB Javon Tillman (6’2, 180) Sr. from SLU Lions’ leader tackler with 89 stops, two TFL and one interception. Forced 3 fumbles.
DB Rod Teamer (6’0, 210) Jr. from Tulane 58 tackles in ’16.
DB Travis Crawford (5’11, 185) Sr. from ULL. 71 tackles from free safety spot.

3rd team Offense:
TE Dillon Beard (6’2, 246) Soph. from Southern. 38 catches for 488 yards and 6 touchdowns
OL Junior Diaz (6’3, 300) Jr. from Tulane missed 2016 campaign with injury.
OL Robert Hunt (6’5, 328) Soph. from ULL
OL Cyrus Ekugwum (6’4, 295) Sr. from SLU
OL William Waddell (6’2, 315) Jr. from Grambling moves from guard to center.
OL Korliss Johnson (6’2, 289) Sr. from NW State. 31 starts. Great technician. High grader.
WR Damian Jean Pierre (6’0, 185) Jr. from Nicholls State.
WR Drake Davis (6’3, 217) freshman LSU could be big, physical target for Tigers in same mold of Dwayne Bowe.
WR Jabril Clewis (6’2, 215) Jr. from Tulane has 4.4 speed. A transfer originally with San Diego State, he averaged 17.6 per catch in JUCO with four touchdowns.
— Author’s Note: (Keep eye on WR Teddy Veal, transfer to La. Tech from Tulane) —
QB Danny Etling (6’2, 215) Sr. from LSU lst year threw for 2,123 yards, 11 touchdowns on 59.5 percent completions. His numbers should grow in Matt Canada offense.
RB Justin Marcalin (6’0, 215) Jr. from SLU known as “Juice” had 771 yards and nine touchdowns despite missing time with injuries. He was fourth in conference in rushing.
RB Ronald Green (6’0, 192) Jr. from NW State is former East Jeff star who averaged 7.2 yards for Demons in ’16. A versatile receiver and kick returner.

3rd team Defense:
DL Greg Gilmore (6’4, 308) Sr. from LSU
DL Deldrick Canty (6’2, 261) Sr. from La. Tech 29 stops, 3.5 TFL and a pair of sacks.
DL Taboris Lee (6’2, 295) Sr. from ULL has made 25 starts.
DL Zak Krolezyk (6’4, 268) Sr. from NW State. 34 tackles, three sacks.
LB Kentavious Preston (5’11, 245) Sr. from Southern had 60 stops, 9.5 TFL, pair of sacks and an interception lst season.
LB Donnie Alexander (6’1, 222) Sr. from LSU 45 tackles in ’16.
LB Russell Farris (5’11, 224) Sr. from La. Tech 75 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss.
DB Andre Fuller (6’0, 196) Sr. from McNeese 58 tackles, 3 TFL, one intercepton, six PBU from free safety spot.
DB Tracy Walker (6’2, 200) Sr. from ULL has 61 tackles and three picks as strong safety for Cajuns.
DB Sedrick Cooper (6’0, 200) Sr. from La. Tech totaled 73 stops, seven PBU in 27 starts for career in Ruston.
DB Max Lyons (5’10, 175) Sr. from SLU is a headhunter with 73 tackles and six PBU.

Offensive Player of Year: LSU RB Derrius Guice
Defensive Player of Year: LSU DE/LB Arden Key
Newcomer of the Year: Tulane QB Jonathan Banks
Coach of the Year: Ed Orgeron, LSU.