NCAA Football: 2011 All-America Teams Announced

By: Tyler Ward

It has been reported Wednesday that the Associated Press has selected their All-America Teams for the 2011 NCAA Football season.

Alabama and LSU dominated the lists -- both teams will play each other next month for the National Championship.

AP All-America First Team:

Quarterback: Robert Griffin III, Baylor (also claimed Heisman Trophy)

Running Backs: Trent Richardson, Alabama; Montee Ball, Wisconsin

Tackles: Barrett Jones, Alabama; Matt Kalil, Southern California

Guards: David DeCastro, Stanford; Kevin Zeitler, Wisconsin

Center: David Molk, Michigan

Wide Receivers: Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State; Robert Woods, Southern California

Tight End: Dwayne Allen, Clemson

All-Purpose Player: Sammy Watkins, Clemson

Kicker: Randy Bullock, Texas A&M

Punter: Brad Wing, LSU

Defensive Ends: Melvin Ingram, South Carolina; Whitney Mercilus, Illinois

Defensive Tackles: Devon Still, Penn State; Jerel Worthy, Michigan State

Linebackers: Dont'a Hightower, Alabama; Luke Kuelchy, Boston College; Jarvis Jones, Georgia

Cornerbacks: Morris Claiborne, LSU; Tyrann Mathieu, LSU

Safeties: Mark Barron, Alabama; Bacarri Rambo, Georgia

AP All-America Second Team:

Quarterback: Andrew Luck, Stanford

Running Backs: LaMichael James, Oregon; David Wilson, Virginia Tech

Tackles: Jonathan Martin, Stanford; Nate Potter, Boise State

Guards: Will Blackwell, LSU; Austin Pazstor, Virginia

Center: Peter Konz, Wisconsin

Wide Receivers: Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma; Kendall Wright, Baylor

Tight End: Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame

All-Purpose Player: Joe Adams, Arkansas

Kicker: Caleb Sturgis, Florida

Punter: Ryan Allen, Louisiana Tech

Defensive Ends: Frank Alexander, Oklahoma; Vinny Curry, Marshall

Defensive Tackles: Joe Vellano, Maryland; Derek Wolfe, Cincinnati

Linebackers: Courtney Upshaw, Alabama; Lavonte David, Nebraska; Manti Te'o, Notre Dame

Cornerbacks: Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama; David Amerson, North Carolina State

Safeties: Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State; Antonio Allen, South Carolina

AP All-America Third Team

Quarterback: Matt Barkley, Southern California

Running Backs: Ronnie Hillman, San Diego State; Bobby Rainey, Western Kentucky

Tackles: Levy Adcock, Oklahoma State; Cordy Glenn, Georgia

Guards: Ryan Miller, Colorado; Gabe Ikard, Oklahoma

Center: Grant Garner, Oklahoma State

Wide Receivers: Patrick Edwards, Houston; Jordan White, Western Michigan

Tight End: Coby Fleener, Stanford

All-Purpose Player: Tavon Austin, West Virginia

Kicker: Quinn Sharp, Oklahoma State

Punter: Shawn Powell, Florida State

Defensive Ends: Sam Montgomery, LSU; Andre Branch, Clemson

Defensive Tackles: John Simon, Ohio State; Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State

Linebackers: Tank Carder, TCU; Sammy Brown, Houston; Emmanuel Acho, Texas

Cornerbacks: Nigel Malone, Kansas State; Brodrick Brown, Oklahoma State

Safeties: Josh Bush, Wake Forest; George Iloka, Boise State

Former Oregon QB Jeremiah Masoli Headed To Ole Miss

By: Tyler Ward

Former Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli is officially enrolling at Ole Miss. He is expected to be enrolled in one of three programs, which would let him play as early as this upcoming season. Masoli has had an up-and-down collegiate career, once being a premier quarterback of the Pac-10.

Since he was not granted a scholarship, Masoli would have to walk on at Ole Miss, sources told ESPN. He is expected to make a visit to the southern school sometime in the following days. Masoli expressed interest in playing for West Virginia and Kansas State, but in the end, he chose to compete in the toughest conference of college football.

Earlier this year, Masoli was arrested and charged with second degree burglary after reportedly stealing items from a local Oregon fraternity house. The Lane County district attorney said that Masoli and former teammate Garrett Embry were both charged.

Oregon head coach Chip Kelly said at the time, "I want to apologize to the fans of the University of Oregon. I want to apologize to the faculty of the University of Oregon. This is not what our football program is all about. We feel that we’ve taken the steps necessary to make to make sure that this doesn’t happen with these young men again."

Masoli's actions led him to be kicked off the team, after leading the Oregon Ducks to a Rose Bowl berth last season. I’ve suspended Jeremiah for the entire season next year. Jeremiah will not be eligible to play. He does have a redshirt year available to him if he chooses to do that," Kelly said. "He will also have a plan put in place for himself. If he can strictly follow that plan then he’ll be able to come back and be eligible to play in the 2011 season. But he will not be eligible to play in 2010."

This wasn't even Masoli's first mistake. In another incident, Masoli was pulled over by police after exiting a driveway without stopping. After sensing trouble, the officer searched Masoli and found an ounce or less or marijuana and not to mention, Masoli was driving on a suspended license. 

Apparently, Masoli has either been a troublemaker or has just simply had horrible luck. After these two incidents, he was never allowed to step back on the field for the Ducks.

After a two-year hiatus at the junior college level, Masoli was able to join Oregon in the spring of 2008. He helped lead the Ducks to a defeat of perennial powerhouse, USC, and led them to a Rose Bowl berth, but lost to Ohio State, 26-17. 

Known particularly as a double threat, Masoli threw for 3,891 yards and 28 touchdowns in his two seasons at Oregon. He also ran for a total of 1,386 yards, along with 26 touchdowns. He was thought to be a Heisman candidate for the 2010 season, but his dismissal from the team quickly led to the demise of those thoughts.

Now, for the time being, he is headed to Ole Miss and may compete for the starting job.

Mississippi's assistant athletic director of compliance, David Wells, said that the university will have to ask the NCAA to waive a one-year residency requirement. 

Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt said that the university had no interest in going after Masoli last week. However, quarterback Raymond Cotton suddenly left the team and they were left with a sudden hole that had to be filled immediately. At this point, Masoli walked in the door and Ole Miss found their backup quarterback. Sophomore Nathan Stanley is expected to be named the starter, with Masoli closely in tow. Last season, Stanley played sparingly as a freshman because Ole Miss had quarterback Jevan Snead, who was a dual threat like Masoli. After entering the draft, Ole Miss now has to rely on Stanley to fill the void. The sophomore played in three games last year, completing 11 of 23 passes for 163 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

The Rebels are hoping that Stanley or Masoli will lead Ole Miss to SEC supremacy, but it will be a difficult path with teams like last year's National Champion, Alabama in the conference. Recent powerhouses Florida and LSU are also in the mix, so it will be a tough road for Ole Miss. The former Oregon quarterback could lead the team if he is given the opportunity.