The 2016 college football season is just around the corner, and it’s time to honor the best of the best for the upcoming year. The 2016 season features plenty of big names returning to the gridiron, including a standout group of players on offense. Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, LSU running back Leonard Fournette, Florida State running back Dalvin Cook and Stanford running back/all-purpose threat Christian McCaffrey are just a few of the big names returning on offense for 2016. Leading the way on defense is Texas A&M end Myles Garrett and Iowa cornerback Desmond King.

Athlon Sports released its 2016 all-conference teams earlier this offseason, and now the focus shifts to the All-America team. Whether it’s quarterback, defensive end or a spot on the special teams, picking the best of the best is no easy task.

An important note on the All-America teams: These are based on how players will perform in 2016. Career statistics and previous awards matter in player evaluation, but choosing players for the 2016 All-America team and all-conference teams are largely based on predicting and projecting the upcoming year.

2016 Athlon Sports All-Conference Teams

Athlon Sports 2016 All-America Team

First-Team Offense Second-Team Offense Third-Team Offense Fourth-Team Offense QB Deshaun Watson Clemson Baker Mayfield Oklahoma J.T. Barrett Ohio State Greg Ward Houston RB Dalvin Cook Florida State Royce Freeman Oregon Elijah Hood UNC Jalen Hurd Tennessee RB Leonard Fournette LSU Samaje Perine Oklahoma Wayne Gallman Clemson Myles Gaskin Washington AP Christian McCaffrey Stanford Artavis Scott Clemson Charles Nelson Oregon Nick Chubb (RB) Georgia WR Calvin Ridley Alabama Isaiah Ford Va. Tech Gabe Marks Wazzu Corey Davis WMU WR JuJu Smith-Schuster USC Christian Kirk TAMU KD Cannon Baylor James Washington Okla. State TE Jordan Leggett Clemson Jake Butt Michigan Evan Engram Ole Miss OJ Howard Alabama C Pat Elflein Ohio State Ethan Pocic LSU Tyler Orlosky WVU Jay Guillermo Clemson OL Zach Banner USC Adam Bisnowaty Pitt Brian Allen Mich. State Dorian Johnson Pitt OL Dan Feeney Indiana Mitch Hyatt Clemson Mason Cole Michigan Billy Price Ohio State OL Roderick Johnson Florida State Conor McDermott UCLA Dan Skipper Arkansas J.J. Dielman Utah OL Cam Robinson Alabama Sean Welsh Iowa Quenton Nelson Notre Dame Mike McGlinchey Notre Dame First-Team Defense Second-Team Defense Third-Team Defense Fourth-Team Defense DL Jonathan Allen Alabama Charles Harris Missouri Lowell Lotulelei Utah Carlos Watkins Clemson DL Derek Barnett Tennessee Arden Key LSU Ejuan Price Pitt Sam Hubbard Ohio State DL Myles Garrett TAMU Charles Walker Oklahoma Eddie Vanderdoes UCLA Tyquan Lewis Ohio State DL Malik McDowell Mich. State DeMarcus Walker Florida State Chris Wormley Michigan Jarrad Davis (LB) Florida LB Devonte Fields Louisville Zach Cunningham Vanderbilt Josey Jewell Iowa Kendell Beckwith LSU LB Raekwon McMillan Ohio State Reuben Foster Alabama Keith Kelsey Louisville Riley Bullough Mich. State LB Anthony Walker Northwestern Jabrill Peppers Michigan Jalen Reeves-Maybin Tennessee Tim Williams Alabama CB Desmond King Iowa Adoree' Jackson USC Cordrea Tankersley Clemson Sidney Jones Washington CB Jourdan Lewis Michigan Jalen Tabor Florida Tre'Davious White LSU Jordan Thomas Oklahoma S Jamal Adams LSU Budda Baker Washington Marcus Maye Florida Quin Blanding Virginia S Derwin James Florida State Eddie Jackson Alabama Jordan Whitehead Pitt Tony Conner Ole Miss First-Team Specialists Second-Team Specialists Third-Team

Specialists Fourth-Team Specialists K Daniel Carlson Auburn Andy Phillips Utah Jake Elliott Memphis Griffin Oakes Indiana P JK Scott Alabama Cameron Johnston Ohio State Hayden Hunt Colorado State Michael Carrizosa SJSU KR Evan Berry Tennessee Rashaad Penny SDSU Christian McCaffrey Stanford DeVon Edwards Duke PR Cameron Sutton Tennessee William Likely Maryland Antonio Callaway Florida Ryan Switzer UNC Conference Breakdown of All-America Selections First Second Third Fourth Overall ACC 6 5 6 6 23 Big 12 0 3 2 2 7 Big Ten 7 5 5 5 22 Pac-12 3 5 5 3 16 SEC 11 8 6 7 32 Independents 0 0 1 1 2 American 0 0 1 1 2 Conference USA 0 0 0 0 0 MAC 0 0 0 1 1 Mountain West 0 1 1 1 3 Sun Belt 0 0 0 0 0

Team Breakdown of All-America Selections