USC Football has more than a few All-American candidates for 2017, but none of them are sure-fire first teamers. At least, that’s what you can conclude looking at the Athlon Sports 2017 Preseason All-America team.
Quarterback Sam Darnold, running back Ronald Jones II and linebacker Cameron Smith received nods, but none of them broke into the first team ranks.
As a Heisman favorite, Darnold will certainly make more than a few All-American first teams if he lives up to expectations. However, Athlon slotted him on the second team behind Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield.
Considering Mayfield’s nation-leading passer rating of 196.