The preseason accolades keep rolling in for the Trojans as Sporting News revealed its Preseason All-American teams on Monday. USC DB/LB Su'a Cravens earned first team recognition, while senior C Max Tuerk and sophomore three-way starter Adoree' Jackson were selected to the second team. The three USC selections is the most for any Pac-12 school and it is the only Pac-12 program with more than one nomination.
Cravens enters his junior season as the leader of the defense that looks to bounce back quickly after losing the No. 6 pick in this year's NFL draft, Leonard Williams. The hybrid outside linebacker/strong safety finished last season with 68 tackles and a team-best 17 tackles-for-loss, which was more than any defensive back in the nation. The two-year starter also posted nine deflections and led the team with three interceptions.
Jackson is a phenomenal athlete playing all three ways for USC earning him Freshman All-American honors in his first year with the program. He also earned his second All-American nomination of the year for track & field after finishing in fifth place in the long jump at the NCAA Championships. As a freshman, the cornerback finished with 49 tackles and 10 deflections. On the other side of the ball, Jackson caught 10 passes for 138 yards including three touchdowns. Finally, the special teams superstar returned 23 kickoffs for 684 yards and two touchdowns, placing him at 14th on the program's career kickoff return yards.
Tuerk is the veteran of the group, returning for his final season as a no-nonsense offensive lineman. The center will be a four-year starter, but has moved all around the line playing center, left guard, left and right tackle. Tuerk is already nominated for the Rimington Trophy for the 2015 season which goes to the best center in college football.
