2008 CFN All-Americans & Top Players - Cs

CFN 2008 All-Americans and Top 25 Players - Centers

2008 CFN All-Americans

Centers

CFN 2008 All-Americans and Top 25 Players
2008 Preview | Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers
Tight Ends | Off. Tackles | Guards
Defense Def. Ends | Def. Tackles | Linebackers | Cornerbacks 
Safeties | Punters | Kickers | Kick Returners

Preseason Top 25 Centers
1. Alex Mack, Sr., California
2. Jonathan Luigs, Sr., Arkansas
3. Eric Wood, Sr. Louisville
4. Max Unger, Sr., Oregon
5. Antoine Caldwell, Sr. Alabama
6. Jon Cooper, Sr. Oklahoma
7. Alex Fletcher, Sr., Stanford
8. Dominic Green, Sr. Nevada
9. Jim Cordle, Jr. Ohio State
10. Alex Derenthal, Sr. Temple
11. Rafael Eubanks, Jr. Iowa
12. David Washington, Sr. Ok State
13. Robby Felix, Sr., UTEP
14. Kenny Alfred, Jr. Washington St
15. Brett Helms, Sr. LSU
16. Blake Schlueter, Sr. TCU
17. Thomas Austin, Jr. Clemson
18. Ryan Cantrell, Sr. Kansas
19. Chris Fisher, Jr. UL Lafayette
20. Blake Kerley, Jr. Arizona
21. Joel Nitchman, Jr. Michigan St
22. Ryan McDonald, Sr. Illinois
23. J.D. Walton, Jr. Baylor
24. John Estes, Sr. Hawaii
25. Edwin Williams, Sr. Maryland

2008 CFN Preseason First Team All-American

Alex Mack, Sr. California
When Mack opted to return for his senior season, Cal instantly had the anchor for its offensive line and one of nation’s premier centers. Targeting a third consecutive First Team All-Pac-10 selection, he’s widely considered the league’s top blocker and a favorite to win the Rimington Trophy. At 6-5 and 316 pounds, Mack is a rarity at the pivot, a relentless mauler on running plays and a near-flawless pass protector.

2008 CFN Preseason Second Team All-American

Jonathan Luigs, Sr., Arkansas
Luigs could've been off early to the NFL, but he chose to come back for his senior year after winning the Rimington Award as the nation's best center. The 6-4, 314-pounder is more like a guard snapping the ball, and he's the perfect quarterback for an occasionally dominant front line. He's big, strong, and a technician for the ground game, and his return is invaluable as it'll help stabilize the line in the new scheme.

2008 CFN Honorable Mention All-Americans
(in alphabetical order)

Antoine Caldwell, Sr. Alabama
One of the nation's best all-around blockers, he has been a durable, versatile star for the line starting out at guard for a few years before moving between center and guard last season. He was suspended for four games last year after violating NCAA rules regarding some textbooks he received, but he's as dependable as they come.

Jon Cooper, Sr. Oklahoma
Back at his spot in the middle is 6-2, 285-pound Cooper, all he has done is overcome a broken ankle in his freshman season to become the rock of the OU line with 29 straight starts with All-Big 12 honors last year. A strong quarterback for a veteran, talented line, he might not be the team's best all-around blocker, but he doesn't make mistakes and is the unquestioned leader. More than anything else, he's always there as the ironman of the line.

Jim Cordle, Jr. Ohio State
Unsung compared to the rest of the stars on the Buckeye line, the 6-4, 297-pound Cordle is a steady center who's tough as nails and is one of the line's better athletes. He suffered a foot problem as a true freshman and played through a broken wrist last year. It'll be interesting to see what he can do if and when he stays healthy; he was good enough banged up.

Alex Derenthal, Sr. Temple
All five starters return to a Temple offensive line that wasn't anything great last year, but has a star to work around in Derenthal. The 6-4, 294-pounder has started 35 straight games and is has been a tough technician through the truly lean years up until now. He's been a good anchor with good all-around blocking ability, and now he has to do even more as a leader of the veteran front five.

Alex Fletcher, Sr. Stanford
Fletcher, a member of the All-Pac-10 Second Team, put off the NFL to return for his senior season. A ferocious run blocker with 31 career starts, he’s moving to center for the second time after playing guard in 2007. 

Dominic Green, Sr. Nevada
Once again, the star of the Wolf Pack line and the anchor of the offense will be Green, a first-team All-WAC center who moved over from tackle and was dominant despite playing through injury problems. He's an athletic 6-3 and 295 pounds who can move anyone around in the running game and has grown into a top pass protector. More than anything else, the senior is a steady leader for the rest of the veteran group.

Max Unger, Sr. Oregon
The cornerstone of the Duck line will again be Unger, one of the Pac-10’s premier blockers and a starter over the last 38 games in-a-row. At 6-5 and 300 pounds, he has the feet and intelligence to literally play any position on the line, but is likely to remain at center, where he can orchestrate the rest of the unit. At the next level, he’s talented enough to excel as a left tackle.

Eric Wood, Sr. Louisville
Wood is the heady quarterback of the line and a fourth-year starter. An immovable object with a great work ethic at the pivot, the 6-4, 310-pounder has started 37 consecutive games for the Cardinals.