The Color & Pageantry 2017 All America Team

The Color & Pageantry 2017 All America Team

The Color & Pageantry 

2017 Post Season All America Team

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Baker Mayfield
QB, Oklahoma
Photo/NewsOK.com

OFFENSE

QB        Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
              6'1", 220, SR, Austin,TX (Lake Travis)

RB         Bryce Love, Stanford
              5'10", 196, JR, Wake Forest, NC (Wake Forest)

RB         Saquon Barkely, Penn State
              5'11", 230, SR, Coplay, PA (Whitehall)

RB         Rashaad Penny, San Diego State
              5'11, 220, SR, Norwalk, CA (Norwalk)

WR        James Washington, Oklahoma State
              6'0", 205, SR, Stamford, TX (Stamford)

WR        Anthony Miller, Memphis
              5'11", 190, SR, Memphis, TN (Christian Brothers)

WR        Christian Kirk, Texas A&M
               5'11", 200, JR, Scottsdale, AZ (Saguro)

TE          Jaylen Samuels, North Carolina State
               5'11", 233, SR, Charlotte, NC (Mallard Creek)

OT         Orlando Brown, Oklahoma
               6'8", 345, JR, Duluth, GA (Peachtree Ridge)

OG         Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame
               6'5", 330, SR, Holmdel, NJ, Red Bank Catholic)

OC          Billy Price, Ohio State
                6'4", 312, SR, Austintown, OH (Fitch)

OG          Braden Smith, Auburn
                6'6", 303, SR, Olathe, KS, (Olathe South)

OT           Mitch Hyatt, Clemson
                6'5", 305, JR, Suwanee, GA North Gwinnett)

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Roquan Smith
LB, Georgia
Photo/howldb.com
       

DEFENSE

OLB       Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Oklahoma
               6'1", 240, SR, Houston, TX (Alief Taylor)

DE          Bradley Chubb, North Carolina State
               6'4", 275, SR, Marietta, GA (Hillgrove)

DT          Maurice Hurst, Michigan
               6'2", 292, SR, Westwood, MA (Xaverian Brothers)

DT          Christian Wilkins, Clemson
               6'4", 300, JR, Springfield, MA (Suffeild Academy)

DT           Ed Oliver, Houston
                6'3", 290, SO, Houston, TX, (Westfield)

DE           Nick Bosa, Ohio State
                6'4", 270, SO, Fort Lauderdale, FL (St. Thomas Aquinas)

OLB        Roquan Smith, Georgia
                6'1", 225, JR, Montezuma, GA (Macon County)

LB           T. J. Edwards, Wisconsin
                6'1", 244, JR, Lake Villa, IL (Lakes Community)

LB           Josey Jewell, Iowa
                6'2", 220, JR, Decorah, IA (Decorah)

LB           Malik Jefferson, Texas
                6'3", 240, JR, Mesquite, TX (Poteet)

CB           Josh Jackson, Iowa
                6'1", 192, JR, Corinth, TX, (Lake Dallas)

S              Minkah Fitzpatrick
                6'1", 202, JR, Jersey City, NJ (St. Peters Prep)

S              DeShon Elliott, Texas
                6'1", 202, SO, Rockwall, TX (Rockwall-Heath)

RV           Derwin James, Florida State
                6'3", 215, SO, Haines City, FL (Haines City)

CB           Denzel Ward, Ohio State
                5'10", 191, JR, Macedonia, OH (Nordonia)

P              Johnny Townsend, Florida
                6'1", 202, SR, Orlando, FL (Boone)

K             Matt Gay, Utah
                6'1", 220, JR, Orem, UT (Orem)

PR           Dante Pettis, Washington
                6'1", 195, SR, San Clemente, CA (JSerra Catholic)

KR          D. J. Reed, Kansas State
                5'9", 188, JR, Bakersfield, CA (Independnce)

QUARTERBACKS

Lamar Jackson, Louisville; McKenzie Milton, UCF; Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State; Trace McSorely, Penn State; Jalen Hurts, Alabama; Nick Fitzgerald, Mississippi State; Luke Falk, Washington State; Khalil Tate, Arizona; Quintin Flowers, South Florida; Riley Ferguson, Memphis; Sam Darnold, Southern Cal; Josh Rosen, UCLA; Josh Allen, Wyoming; Jarrett Stidham, Auburn; Will Grier, West Virginia; Ryan Finley, North Carolina State; JT Barrett, Ohio State; Drew Lock, Missouri; Jake Browning, Washington; John Wolford, Wake Forest, Ahmad Bradshaw, Army and Jake Fromm, Georgia.

RUNNING BACKS

Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin; A. J. Dillon, Boston College; Ronald Jones II, Southern Cal; Devin Singletary, Florida Atlantic; Cam Akers, Florida State; Royce Freeman, Oregon; Kerryon Johnson, Auburn; Josh Adams, Notre Dame; Justice Hill, Oklahoma State; Phillip Lindsay, Colorado; Derrius Guice, Louisiana State; Justin Jackson, Northwestern; Nick Chubb, Georgia; Nyheim Hines, North Carolina State; Benny Snell, Kentucky; J. K. Dobbins, Ohio State; Myles Gaskin, Washington; Sony Michel, Georgia; Travis Etienne, Clemson; Adrian Killins, Jr, UCF; David Montgomery, Iowa State, Travis Homer, Miami; Damien Harris, Alabama; Akrum Wadley, Iowa; LJ Scott, Michigan State; Ito Smith, Southern Mississippi and KirVonte Benson, Georgia Tech.

WIDE RECEIVERS

David Sills V, West Virginia; Calvin Ridley, Alabama; Dante Pettis, Washington; Tra'Quan Smith, Central Florida; A. J. Brown, Ole Miss; Steve Ishmael, Syracuse; Courtland Sutton, SMU; Stanley Morgan, Jr. Nebraska; Barxton Berrios, Miami; Dez Fitzpatrick, Louisville; Emanuel Hall, Missouri; Tavares Martin, Jr. Washington State; DJ Moore, Maryland; Simmie Cobbs Jr., Indiana; Cam Phillips, Virginia Tech; Jaylen Smith, Louisville, Hunter Renfrow, Clemson; Allen Lazard, Iowa State, Deontay Burnett, USC, Darren Carrington II, Oregon; Michael Gallup, Colorado State; Keke Coutee, Texas Tech; N'Keal Harry, Arizona State; JD Spielman, Nebraska; JJ Arcega-Whiteside, Stanford and Jason Lasley, UCLA.

TIGHT ENDS

Mark Andrews, Oklahoma; Troy Fumagalli, Wisconsin; Mike Geiseki, Penn State; Noah Fant, Iowa; Cam Serigne, Wake Forest; Christopher Herndon IV, Miami; Dalton Schultz, Stanford, Hayden Hurst, South Carolina; Ryan Izzo, Florida State and Albert Okwuegbunam, Missouri.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Mike McGlinchey, Notre Dame; Cody O'Connell, Washington State; Beau Benzschawel, Wisconsin; Frank Ragnow, Arkansas; Connor Williams, Texas; Mason Cole, Michigan; Brian O'Neill, Pittsburgh; Brian Allen, Michigan State; Michael Dieter, Wisconsin; Aaron Evans, UCF; Gabe Kuhn, Memphis; Zach Crabtree, Oklahoma State, Dalton Riser, Kansas State; Tyrell Crosby, Oregon; Coleman Shelton, Washington; Bradley Bozeman, Alabama; Isaiah Wynn, Georgia, Tyronne Crowder, Clemson; David Edwards, Wisconsin; Jonah Williams, Alabama; Cole Madison, Washington State; Jamarco Jones, Ohio State; Will Hernandez, UTEP, Chukwuma Okorafor, Western Michigan; Greg Little, Ole Miss; Mason Cole, Michigan; Sean Welsh, Iowa; Will Clapp, LSU, Martinas Rankin, Mississippi State and David Bright, Stanford.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Dexter Lawrence, Clemson; Hercules Mata'Afa, Washington State; Clelin Ferrell, Clemson; Vita Vea, Washington; Harrison Phillips, Stanford; Derrick Nnadi, Florida State; Rashan Gary, Michigan; Sam Hubbard, Ohio State; Harold Landry, Boston College; Tyquan Lewis, Ohio State; Duke Ejiofor, Wake Forest; Jeff Holland, Auburn; Matt Boeson, Texas Christian, Justin Lawler, SMU; Rasheem Green, USC; Arden Key, LSU; Trenton Thompson, Georgia, Da'Ron Payne, Alabama, Sutton Smith, Northern Illinois; Marquis Haynes, Ole Miss; Brian Burns, Florida State; Ja'Von Rolland-Jones, Arkansas State; Montez Sweat, Mississippi State and D'Shaun Hand, Alabama.

LINEBACKERS

De'Jon Harris, Arkansas; Devin Bush, Michigan; ; Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech; Tegray Scales, Indiana, Micah Kiser, Virginia; Shaquille Quarterman, Miami; Shaquem Griffin, UCF; Nyles Morgan, Notre Dame; Courtney Love, Kentucky; Augie Sanchez, South Florida; D'Juan Hines, Houston; Travin Howard, Texas Christian, Jeff Holland, Auburn; Cameron Smith, USC; Dorian O'Daniel, Clemson; Lorenzo Carter, Georgia; Devin White, LSU, Joel Lanning, Iowa State, Rashaan Evans, Alabama; Kendall Joseph, Clemson; James Hearns, Louisville; Gerald Avery, Memphis; Skai Moore, South Carolina; Micah Kiser, Virginia; Dakota Allen, Texas Tech; Dorance Armstrong, Kansas; Matthew Adams, Houston; Ja'Whaun Bentley, Purdue, Jason Cabina, Penn State, Nick DeLuca, North Dakota St; Matthew Thomas, Florida State, Jacob Pugh, Florida State and Davin Bellamy, Georgia.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Lukas Denis, Boston College; TJ Carter, Memphis; Rashard Fant, Indiana; Marcus Allen, Penn State; D'Cota Dixon, Wisconsin; Quinn Balding, Virginia; Carlton Davis, Auburn; Jaquan Johnson, Miami; Shawn Lurry, Northern Illinois; Tre Flowers, Oklahoma State, Justin Reid, Stanford; Nick Orr, Texas Christian; Isaiah Oliver, Colorado; Ronnie Harrison, Alabama;  Andraez Williams, LSU: Jack Jones, USC, Armani Watts, Texas A&M, TJ Carter, Memphis; Donte Jackson, LSU, Josiah Scott, Michigan State, Jaire Alexander, Louisville; Duke Dawson, Florida; Ranthony Texada, Texas Christian; Mike Hughes, UCF; Brian Peavy, Iowa State; Greg Stroman, Virginia Tech; Mark Gilbert, Duke; Ken Webster, Ole Miss; Jalen Young, Florida Atlantic; Lorenzo Burns, Arizona, Jawaun Johnson, Miami; Michael Jackson, Miami; Mark McLaurin, Mississippi State; DeCota Dixon, Wisconsin and Julian Love, Notre Dame.

PLACEKICKER

Michael Bagley, Miami; Daniel Carson, Auburn; Griffin Oakes, Indiana; Rafeal Gaglianone, Wisconsin; Rodrigo Blankenship, Georgia and Eddie Pineiro, Florida.

PUNTER

Michael Dickson, Texas; JK Scott, Alabama, Drue Chrisman, Ohio State, Trevor Daniel, Tennessee; Mitch Wishnowsky, Utah.

KICK RETURNER

Tony Pollard, Memphis; Saquon Barkely, Penn State; Mike Hughes, UCF, Bryan Pringle, Kansas State; Rashaad Penny, San Diego State; De'Vion Warren, Arkansas; JD Spielman, Nebraska; Cameron Scarlett, Stanford; Marcus Sims, West Virginia; Christian Kirk, Texas A&M and Joe Reed, Virginia.

PUNT RETURNER

DJ Reed, Kansas State; Ray-Ray McCloud, Clemson; DJ Matthews, Florida State, Deandre Thompkins, Penn State; Michael Walker, Boston College, Braxton Barrios, Miami; DJ Clark, LSU; Quadree Henderson, Pittsburgh and Blaise Taylor, Arkansas State.

OFFENSIVE NEWCOMER

Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin

DEFENSIVE NEWCOMER

TJ Carter, CB, Memphis

Merry Christmas

Enjoy Santa's ride into Manhattan to Radio City Music Hall for the performance for the world famous Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular.

Untold Story

We continue to be baffled at the goings on surrounding the Las Vegas shooting, the most deadly mass shooting in American history.

There is a massive coverup going on, and the truth of what exactly transpired, continues to be hidden from the American people.

There is a reporter named Lois Loomer (@LauraLoomer) who continues to do good investigative work on this story, so much so she has everybody involved all torqued at her and appears in danger.

On a national level, we are thrilled to see Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) of FOX News continue to ask probing questions. Tucker is on FNC every week night at 8PM EST.

Don't let this story get covered up by a media complicit in hiding the truth from the American people. After all, as the mission statement of our blog states: "The Salvation of the State is Watchfulness of the Citizen.” 

Suing for the public’s right to know

Touchdown Maker Baker

Congratulations to quarterback Baker Mayfield of the Oklahoma Sooners in winning the 2017 Heisman Trophy.

Mayfield is the sixth Sooner to win the award, and the first walk on player to ever win the award.

The voting was chalk this year, with Mayfield's victory was the third largest.

We do not have a Heisman vote, but if we had one, our top five was as follows:

1.    Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
2.    Bryce Love, RB, Stanford
3.    Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
4.    McKenzie Milton, QB, UCF
5.    Saquon Barkley,  RB, Penn State

Ame Higher

For those who house a viewpoint outside a seemingly politically correct perceived norm, the risk of being bullied both verbally and physically by lynch mobs is increasingly dangerous, a trend that must be decisively thwarted.

We were alerted to this very sad story via former adult star Jenna Jameson via Twitter.

It would seem reasonable that unless a contract was executed to the contrary, an adult performer would seemingly have the right to work with other performers they choose and not be forced to work with performers they were uncomfortable with.

August Ames, a relatively new but highly successful performer in the industry, essentially tweeted that thought process, stating that she chose not work with male performers who "crossed over," performing in gay and straight scenes. My body, My rules" Ames stated.

On Twitter; however, her comments created a Twitterstorm. The Daly Mail reports that "Following the post, Ames was accused of being homophobic, as social media users clamored for her to issue an apology."

The Mirror reports "After the row she was hounded by online trolls and it seems her last tweet was in response to the hate she received. "F*** y'all," she tweeted."

Ames was thoroughly berated and bullies on social media, and it appeared to have culminated in her suicide as Ames was found dead just hours later at home in Camarillo, California.

While it should be noted that it is reported in The Mirror that Ames, whose real name was Mercedes Grabowski, had suffered from long-term depression, it is beyond reasonable to conclude that the cyber bullying she experienced was a catalyst to her suicide.

Cyber bullying is an action that that must be decisively thwarted. This type of activity is a form of assault and is unacceptable.
Anyone being bullied should seek immediate help, for we all have value with each of us being special in the eyes of God.

Nobody has the right to bully anybody, and while anybody is welcome to house differing views, you have every right to be exactly who you want to be.

If you are being bullied, or have issues with depression, please reach out to someone you are comfortable with to help, and if don't have anyone, governmental agencies and law enforcement can help.

Nobody should feel such pressure to take the path of the beautiful August Ames.

Adult movie star August Ames, 23, is found dead after being accused of homophobia

Glorious Morning Frost

There was a very welcomed cool Frost across Cornhusker country this morning.

As former Husker DE Adam Carriker so eloquently tweeted:

Scott Frost, native son and former Husker star quarterback who after some years playing in the National Football League successfully climbed the coaching ladder to find himself winning the AAC Championship as head coach of UCF, was announced this afternoon as head football coach of his, and our, beloved Nebraska Cornhuskers.

The events that led to the hiring of Frost were plentiful, but as the landscape is reviewed, desperately needed. Nebraska has not won a championship of any kind since 1999. While there have some good times (some thought at one point Bo Pelini, who won at least 9 games every season he coached, was going to take there but faltered on reaching the elite), the program has been in a declining state since the legendary Tom Osborne retired.

With Bo Pelini fired, mostly for an adversarial relationship with superiors along with sideline behavior unbecoming someone representing Nebraska, Athletic Director Shawn Eichorst went on his own and hired Mike Riley from Oregon State, a very nice man with a long and varied coaching record who represented the antithesis of Pelini.

Most in Husker Nation were against at the hire; I was not. I thought, given his experience, he would be able to excel with the resources Nebraska would give him, as he had achieved with so much less. I was quite wrong in my assessment of the hiring of Mike Riley.

Riley is a good man, and he represented Nebraska with dignity. Much of his command off the field was quite good, and recruiting, the mother's milk of a successful football program, was steadily ascending. However, the product on the field was poor. The first of Riley's three seasons were littered with mind boggling and painful last second losses, but culminated with perhaps the best game, a victory over UCLA in the Foster Farms Bowl which seemed to give indication of what could be. A 9-4 season in 2016 seemed decent on the surface, but the victories were close wins over weak teams, and other than falling to Wisconsin in a close one, the Big Red was not competitive against other top teams, with big losses to Iowa and Tennessee to close out the season.

One could argue the program was ascending, but in early 2017 the case being made on that point came crashing to reality in a stunning home loss to Northern Illinois. Nobody would state it publicly, but unless Nebraska ran the table, the Mike Riley tenure would end.

Then came news that Chancellor Ronnie Green and Hank Bounds had decided that Nebraska would part company with AD Eichorst. Husker Nation was enthusiastic about this appropriate development. Since Eichorst was fired, and he was the one who hired Riley, it seemed they were somewhat joined at the hip, and with Eichorst gone, Riley would soon follow.

In short order, Green announced Nebraska had hired Bill Moos from Washington State, and formerly of Oregon, as new Athletic Director. Moos signaled that he would evaluate the status of the football program and would not make any changes until the season was over.

Meanwhile, the records were being set with the football program; records of futility. Nebraska was widely embarrassed, again, in a home loss to Ohio State. A come from behind victory at Purdue masked 58 minutes of ineffectiveness. Then, Nebraska was listless at Minnesota and got scorched for over 50 points in defeat (Minnesota was shut out in their next two games).  Penn State clobbered the Huskers and Iowa knocked Nebraska out in a humiliating home loss to close the season, as this group finishes 4-8 and ineligible for a bowl contest. In the last three games, each of Nebraska's opponents scored over 50 points, something that had not happened since the era of World War II.

Unacceptable.

Moos then promptly dismissed Riley and the staff, save Trent Bray. This move shocked absolutely nobody.

As the season was painfully drawing to a close, we learned of many areas of concern within the program. The lack of toughness and want to on the field was obvious, but behind the scenes the most significant of the issues was a lack of leadership, with differing factions between various levels of the program.  Along with the play on the field, this was not an environment which set a foundation for success. Quite the contrary.

A clean slate was required, one which fumigated the acceptance of losing.  Leadership was needed in the form of responsibility, accountability and disciple; the definition of the known goals and objectives and prices that need to be paid to reach the desired levels of achievement.

A return to the way Nebraska used to handle its business.

When Moos arrived, he did not sit behind a desk. He met the people; via social media, sports talk shows, around campus and at the games. He reached out to boosters and fans alike, and this group smothered in frustration gave him an earful.

They told him what to do, but Moos already knew what to do; hire a great football coach who understood what the fabric of Nebraska football was and could restore the order.

As it turned out, the most sought after and successful young football coach in the country was one of our own. It was Scott Frost, who knew exactly the characteristics of Nebraska, the state and the football program.

Moos seems a powerful man quite comfortable in his own skin, but he no doubt realized that although every Husker from Orlando to Spokane wanted him to hire Frost, Frost was indeed the top candidate for any football program in need of new direction. For Nebraska, Frost was the only candidate.

Scott Frost had Tom Osborne down to speak to his Central Florida boosters and team before the season in August. I attended the events, and outside of hearing Osborne speak, had a great time reminiscing about the glory days of Husker football with former linemen Bill Bobbora and Greg Austin. Austin, or Coach G, who is the offensive line coach for Frost at UCF,  is reportedly joining Frost at Nebraska, and this is great news as the offensive line play was among the areas on the field that were most disappointing.

While the events were quite enjoyable, one thing stood out to be sure, and that was how much Tom Osborne meant to Scott Frost.

Walking out to our trucks after an evening event, Frost and I discussed how meaningful it was for him to quarterback Nebraska to the win over Tennessee in the Orange Bowl giving the Huskers the 1997 National Title, which turned out the be the last game Osborne would ever coach.  Frost said it was just such an honor for him to have helped get that victory for his beloved coach.

I am not sure if Osborne and Frost discussed anything about Frost potentially coming home at these events, but given the vibe I observed, I had zero doubt Frost would return to Lincoln if called upon.

Nebraska called, and although it was no doubt a difficult decision, Frost chose to come home.

Make no mistake. Frost genuinely loves his team at Central Florida, and the fine people of this wonderful university. Orlando is not called The City Beautiful for nothing; Frost and his family adore the area.

But, Nebraska is home. That red "N" means so much to Nebraskans, and an opportunity to restore this proud program to its rightful level among the nations elite that those in Husker Nation can be proud of once again is a task Frost could not turn away from, and did not.

I have no doubt Frost will accomplish his goals. Spend five minutes with this man, and you will know that he is a principled and caring individual, a humble but intoxicating presence that while demanding the best from those around him, understands that hard work and integrity that take individuals, and teammates, a long way.

Oh, and Frost likes to have a lot of fun along the way.

The announcement of Scott Frost as head coach of the Cornhuskers, with Tom Osborne standing by along with over 100 former players who showed up, to not only congratulate Frost, but to offer assistance, brought allergic reactions to the eyes of hundred of thousands (105,000 on Huskers.com to view presser) Husker faithful across the nation, myself gleefully included.

It was a glorious morning of Frost on the ground in Lincoln today.

Welcome home Coach Frost!  We are thrilled beyond words to have you back home with us.

Good Luck and Go Big Red!

The Color & Pageantry Top 25

College Football

End of Regular Season Top 25

1.      Clemson, 12-1, 1
2.      Georgia, 12-1, 5
3.      Oklahoma, 12-1, 3
4.      Alabama, 11-1, 6
5.      Ohio State, 11-2, 8
6.      Auburn, 10-3, 2
7.      UCF, 12-0, 9
8.      Southern Cal, 11-2, 10
9.      Wisconsin, 11-1, 4
10.    Miami, 10-2, 7    
11.    Penn State, 10-2, 11
12.    Washington, 10-2, 14
13.    Stanford, 10-3, 13
14.    Louisiana State, 9-3, 15
15.    Notre Dame, 9-3, 16
16.    Memphis, 10-2, 17
17.    Texas Christian, 10-3, 12
18.    Michigan State, 9-3, 18
19.    Oklahoma State, 9-3, 19
20.    South Florida, 9-2, 20
21.    Washington State, 9-3, 21
22.    Northwestern, 9-3, 22
23.    Virginia Tech, 9-3, 23
24.    North Carolina State, 8-4, 24
25.    Louisville, 8-4, 25

LOOKING IN: Louisville, Texas A&M, Michigan, Boston College, Mississippi State, West Virginia, Kansas State, Houston, Missouri, Iowa State, San Diego State, Iowa, Troy, Oregon, South Carolina, Boise State and Fresno State.