Paul Myerberg

USA TODAY Sports

Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey and seven players from Alabama highlight the USA TODAY Sports’ preseason All-America team.

Watson is the first-team quarterback, while McCaffrey joins LSU’s Leonard Fournette as first-team running backs. The first team also includes Alabama offensive tackle Cam Robinson, Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett, Iowa cornerback Desmond King and Michigan cornerback Jourdan Lewis.

Watson, McCaffrey, King, Lewis and Memphis' Jake Elliott are returning from last season's USA TODAY Sports All-America first team, and Fournette and Florida State offensive tackle Roderick Johnson were second-teamers then. Preseason second-team defensive backs Damontae Kazee of San Diego State and Marcus Maye of Florida also earned honors in 2015.

Alabama is one of 11 teams with multiple selections. The others: Clemson, Michigan, Florida State, Utah, Ohio State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Notre Dame, Southern California and Florida.

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First team

QB: Deshaun Watson, Clemson

The junior is the preseason favorite for the Heisman Trophy.

RB: Christian McCaffrey, Stanford

He’s a do-everything, box-score-filling weapon with no equal in the FBS.

RB: Leonard Fournette, LSU

College football hasn’t seen a physical specimen like Fournette since Adrian Peterson at Oklahoma.

WR: JuJu Smith-Schuster, Southern California

Smith-Schuster is the next All-America pick for a program with a legacy of outstanding receivers.

WR: Calvin Ridley, Alabama

He’ll be an even more complete weapon as a sophomore.

TE: Jake Butt, Michigan

Amid a dearth of proven weapons at the position, Butt’s production stands out.

OL: Cam Robinson, Alabama

The bulldozing junior would be the prototypical tackle for any offense.

OL: Dan Feeney, Indiana

Feeney is undoubtedly the most under-recognized lineman in the country and one of the most unheralded stars in all of college football.

OL: Tyler Orlosky, West Virginia

The senior has earned the right to be recognized as the best center in the country.

OL: Dorian Johnson, Pittsburgh

An imposing running game rolls behind the Panthers’ left guard.

OL: Roderick Johnson, Florida State

This is the year Johnson combines his physical gifts with his growing experience.

DEFENSE

DL: Myles Garrett, Texas A&M

Destined to be a high pick in next year’s NFL draft, Garrett was fifth in sacks and eight in TFLs last season.

DL: Malik McDowell, Michigan State

A strong close to 2015 has McDowell ready to lead the MSU defense by example.

DL: Lowell Lotulelei, Utah

Lotulelei isn’t flashy, but he’s a nearly immovable force for perhaps the best defensive line in the country.

DL: Jonathan Allen, Alabama

Allen’s impact extends far beyond his own totals, with included the seventh-most sacks in the FBS in 2015.

LB: Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State

Ohio State’s offseason losses will vault McMillan onto center stage.

LB: Reuben Foster, Alabama

While not the only Crimson Tide linebacker with this potential, Foster will play a position that breeds All-America attention.

LB: Anthony Walker, Northwestern

Walker stops the run, defends the pass and gets to the quarterback — he had the fifth-most TFLs in the FBS in 2015.

CB: Desmond King, Iowa

Tied for the second-most INTs in the FBS last season,King effectively negates one side of the field for a stingy defense.

CB: Jourdan Lewis, Michigan

Had the second-most pass breakups of any returning player last season.

S: Budda Baker, Washington

Teams in the Pac-12 Conference know all about Baker’s ability to influence an entire offense from his spot at safety.

S: Derwin James, Florida State

James will be a household name by the end of the regular season.

SPECIALISTS

K: Jake Elliott, Memphis

The reigning Lou Groza Award finalist should bring home the hardware as a senior.

P: JK Scott, Alabama

Scott’s excellence makes him a vital part of the Tide’s defensive efforts.

RET: Evan Berry, Tennessee

Berry's 2015 kickoff return average was the FBS best by almost 5 yards.

Second team

OFFENSE

QB: Josh Rosen, UCLA

RB: Dalvin Cook, Florida State

RB: Royce Freeman, Oregon

WR: Gabe Marks, Washington State

WR: Christian Kirk, Texas A&M

TE: O.J. Howard, Alabama

OL: Mike McGlinchey, Notre Dame

OL: Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame

OL: Pat Elflein, Ohio State

OL: Dan Skipper, Arkansas

OL: Zach Banner, Southern California

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DEFENSE

DL: Charles Harris, Missouri

DL: Carlos Watkins, Clemson

DL: DeMarcus Walker, Florida State

DL: Derek Barnett, Tennessee

LB: Jabrill Peppers, Michigan

LB: Malik Jefferson, Texas

LB: Devonte Fields, Louisville

CB: Damontae Kazee, San Diego State

CB: Jalen Tabor, Florida

S: Marcus Maye, Florida

S: Eddie Jackson, Alabama

SPECIALISTS

K: Andy Phillips, Utah

P: Austin Rehkow, Idaho

RET: Adoree’ Jackson, Southern California

PHOTOS: USA TODAY SPORTS PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA TEAM