Notre Dame Football: Athlon Lists Four Irish As All-Americans
By J.P. Scott
Athlon Sports released it’s full, four-deep Preseason All-America list. Four Notre Dame football players made the cut.
Someone out there believes that the 2018 Notre Dame football team has some talent.
Athlon Sports — one of the authorities when it comes to predictions and preseason scouting in college football — released its annual Preseason All-America team on Tuesday. Four current Notre Dame football players made the cut.
They are as follows:
Sam Mustipher, 4th team center
Mustipher made the list behind Ryan Pierschbacher of Alabama, Tom Lobendahn of Southern Cal and Jake Hanson of Oregon. He’s widely considered one of the best centers in college football and this honor only reaffirms that.
Jerry Tillery, 4th team defensive line
This was arguably the most loaded position group, partly due to how many (16) players were listed. Names such as Nick Bosa, Ed Oliver, Rashan Gary and the entire Clemson front four made the list. Needless to say, Tilley is in some pretty good company and should feel honored to be included.
Julian Love, 3rd team cornerback
This came as no surprise, as Love made a couple of All-American lists after last season. Only seven corners made Athlon’s list. The fact that Love was included says a lot about the perception of him nationally.
Te’von Coney, 4th team linebacker
Coney was one of 13 linebackers included on Athlon’s list. They have him listed with the cornerbacks as a fourth-teamer, but it’s not clear why. In any event, he made the list and like the others, is lumped in with some very talented players at his position.
Overall, Athlon’s choices look like a microcosm of what many of us have been saying about the 2018 season for the Irish. Notre Dame’s center, the leader of a usually strong offensive line, made the list. He’ll lead what should again be a talented unit.
No other offensive players made the list and rightfully so. There is a lot of potential within the unit, but also plenty of question marks.
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The defensive honors make sense. The Irish have a preseason All-American at all three levels of the defense. Only Notre Dame and Michigan can make that claim.