2022 Irrational Confidence All-American Team

Just like that, the 2022 regular season of College Football is over. It seems like just yesterday, we were counting down the teams in our Pre-Season Top 25. We had some remarkable games throughout the season and ranked the Top 10 games along the way! It was a wild year that saw the rebirth of Tennessee and USC. TCU and Max Duggan became an underdog story for the ages. Georgia victory lapping the entire SEC after their National Championship. Even Michigan being on a year long mission to get back to the College Football Playoff. Great teams win the scoreboard on Saturdays, but great players will become legends in our 2022 Irrational Confidence All-American Team. Each of these players had huge impacts on their teams and should be honored as such.

QB Hendon Hooker- Tennessee Volunteers

Hendon Hooker did it all in the Vols revival this season. He had 27 passing touchdowns to 2 Interceptions, while completing 69.6% of his passes. He added in 5 rushing touchdowns. Tennessee was a different team when he got injured.

RB Blake Corum- Michigan Wolverines

In a lot of games, Blake Corum was the Michigan offense. He rushed for over 100 yards and a touchdown in every Big 10 game where he was not injured. Corum’s injury is the reason he isn’t invited to New York, but he is definitely an All-American.

RB Israel Abanikanda- Pittsburgh Panthers

Israel Abanikanda had only one game when he was the starter and did not eclipse the 100 yard mark and find the endzone. Abanikanda led the country with 20 rushing touchdowns and averaged 6 ypc. His 6 touchdown game vs Virginia Tech was one for the ages.

WR Marvin Harrison Jr.- Ohio State Buckeyes

Marvin Harrison Jr. entered the season thinking he would be the second receiver in the Ohio St. offense. After the injury to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Harrison became a vital part in the explosive Buckeye passing attack. 72 catches for 1,157 yards for 12 touchdowns is a huge reason why Ohio St. made the College Football Playoff.

WR Jalin Hyatt- Tennessee Volunteers

The Hendon Hooker to Jalin Hyatt connection was ridiculous this season. 22% of his receptions went for touchdowns this season. His 4 game stretch in the month of October was absolutely ridiculous. The performance against Alabama is one that Volunteer fans will remember forever.

TE Dalton Kincaid- Utah Utes

Dalton Kincaid was a tough matchup all year long for opposing defenses. His 70 receptions were the most by any Utah reciever. He was fantastic red zone target and safety blanket for Cameron Rising all year long, hauling in 8 touchdowns and almost 900 yards. 

OT Peter Skoronski- Northwestern Wildcats

A lot of people will be shocked to see an All-American come from a 1-11 team. But Peter Skoronski was a huge bright spot for the wildcats all year long. He rarely allowed a pressure from the blindside and did not give up a sack all season long. Don’t be shocked if he’s a top 5 pick in April.

OG Ryan Walk- Oregon Ducks

The 6th year senior was a key part to the Oregon rushing attack and a member of a unit that allowed just 4 sacks all year long. Walk was sorely missed on the offensive line when he was out at times through the year. His injury during the Washington game was a game changer for the Ducks in that loss.

C Olusegun Oluwatimi- Michigan Wolverines

Oluwatimi led an offensive line unit that went through a Quarterback switch, produced 3,159 of rushing offense and only allowed 13 sacks all year long. Oluwatimi was the leader of that unit and is a big unsung reason why Michigan is undefeated.

OG Nick Broeker- Ole Miss Rebels

Nick Broeker made the move to guard at the start of the season and was a key component to a lethal Ole Miss rushing attack. Behind Broeker, running back Quinshon Judkins rushed for over 1400 yards and 16 scores. This type of effort had Ole Miss as the best rushing attack that does not run the triple option. Broeker was a huge reason why.

OT Broderick Jones- Georgia Bulldogs

A season ago, Georgia was led by it’s defense. In 2022, it was the offense that really propelled The Bulldogs to the number 1 spot in the College Football Playoff. Broderick Jones was a big reason for Stetson Bennett’s Heisman invite as he allow zero sacks and zero QB hits on the season. Protecting a mobile QB is never easy, but Jones made it look that way all season long.

DE Isaiah Foskey- Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Isaiah Foskey was an absolute wrecking ball for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish this season. He showed flashes of being dominant off the edge and had the ability to disrupt the flow of the offense. His 11 sacks was impressive as Foskey saw extra attention throughout the season.

DT Jalen Carter- Georgia Bulldogs

Most teams would have a problem when they lose a first rounder like Jordan Davis. Not the Georgia Bulldogs. Jalen Carter was a huge contributor for the Bulldogs in 2021. He became a dominant wrecking force in 2022. His ability to disrupt a team’s rushing and passing attack is why Georgia defense was one of the best in the country.

DT Calijah Kancey- Pittsburgh Panthers

Calijah Kancey was extremely tough to contain on the Pittsburgh Defense throughout this season. He battle injuries throughout the season and the Panthers were a different team defensively with him on the field. His 7 sacks and ability to pressure the Quarterback will be a reason why we will see him play on Sundays in the near future.

DE Tuli Tuipulotu- USC Trojans

Tuli Tuipulotu was a beast on the edge for opposing tackles all year long. He led the nation in sacks with 12.5 and the pressure created by him was one of the big reasons the Trojans forced so many turnovers this season.

LB John Marshall- Navy Midshipmen

Navy had one of the best defenses against the run and were aided greatly by the play of Senior John Marshall. On the season, he contributed 11.5 sacks and was one of the players that kept offensive coordinators up at night. His impressive play was a key reason for Navy having a top tier run defense.

LB Ivan Pace Jr.- Cincinnati Bearcats

Ivan Pace Jr. came on very strong this season for the Bearcat defense. His 119 tackles and 8 sacks were huge for the Bearcats. He had 6 games this year where he had 11 or more tackles. His game against SMU was a big reason why the Bearcats pulled off the win in Texas.

LB Will Anderson Jr.- Alabama Crimson Tide

Will Anderson Jr. joins a long line of great Alabama linebackers. The junior followed up his dominant sophomore campaign with 10 sacks and 51 tackles. Teams spent a good chunk of the season game planning around Anderson and for good reason. He showed multiple times to be a game changers on defense.

CB Clark Phillips III- Utah Utes

Clark Phillips III came into the season with a great amount of hype behind him after his 2021 campaign. While people will point to him only having 24 tackles, it was because Quarterbacks threw away from his side of the field. His 6 interceptions and two touchdowns were absolutely fantastic this year.

CB Sydney Brown- Illinois Fighting Illini

Sydney Brown was impressive on the resurgent Fighting Illini Defense. His 6 interceptions was 2nd best in the nation. His 59 tackles showed his ability to bring a reciever down in the open field. He flashed ridiculous ball skills throughout the season with his ability to break up passes as well.

S Jason Taylor II- Oklahoma St. Cowboys

Jason Taylor II was on an absolute mission this season with his 87 tackles and 6 interceptions. The Senior Safety was able to stuff the run when coming into the box or drop into coverage when necessary. While the Cowboys defense was not as good as last year, Jason Taylor II was a star in his own right.

S Kaevon Merriweather- Iowa Hawkeyes

While Iowa was questionable on offense throughout the season, their pass defense was Top 10 unit and the defense was routinely in the Top 7 in most stats. Kaevon Merriweather was a huge reason for the Hawkeyes’ lofty rankings. The Senior was a leader on defense and had 3 interceptions on the season.

Honorable Mentions

QB- CJ Stroud- Ohio State Buckeyes

QB- Max Duggan- TCU Horn Frogs

RB- Bijan Robinson- Texas Longhorns

RB- Deuce Vaughn- Kansas St. Wildcats

TE- Michael Mayer- Notre Dame Fighting Irish

WR- Xavier Hutchinson– Iowa St. Cyclones

WR- Charlie Jones- Purdue Boilermakers

DE- David Perales- Fresno St. Bulldogs

LB- Nick Herbig- Wisconsin Badgers

LB- Laiatu Latu- UCLA Bruins

LB- Junior Colson- Michigan Wolverines

LB- Jack Campbell- Iowa Hawkeyes

DB- Kool-Aid McKinstry- Alabama Crimson Tide

DB- Kelee Ringo- Georgia Bulldogs

S- Calen Bullock- USC Trojans

S- Clifford Chattman- UTSA Roadrunners