BATON ROUGE – Four LSU football players were named to a nation-leading five selections on the CBSSports.com Preseason All-America First Team that was announced on Monday.
The Southeastern Conference produced 11 total players on the first team, including three from the Tigers’ defense – cornerback Tyrann Mathieu, safety Eric Reid and defensive end Sam Montgomery. Mathieu was also named a first-team All-America punt returner. Sophomore punter Brad Wing was recognized on the first-team special teams as well.
While LSU garnered five first-team spots, Alabama and Southern Cal were second with three selections. In addition, defensive end Barkevious Mingo was named to the CBSSports.com second team.
Mathieu, the 2011 National Defensive Player of the Year, was a unanimous All-America selection a year ago. In his 26 game career, the Heisman finalist has created a total of 14 turnovers and holds the LSU and SEC record for forced fumbles with 11.
Reid tied for the team lead in total tackles last season with 76 and he recorded two interceptions as a first-team All-America recipient. Montgomery and Mingo form the nation’s fiercest defensive end tandem. Montgomery led the squad and ranked sixth in the SEC in sacks with nine a year ago. Mingo was equally effective, notching 15.0 tackles for loss, which ranked third in the league.
Wing had one of the most spectacular freshman seasons in school history. Averaging 44.4 yards per punt, Wing was a first-team All-America selection. He placed 27 punts inside the 20-yard line and 13 inside the 10-yard line.
LSU reports to preseason camp on Wednesday before going through split squad practices on Thursday. The Tigers open the season against North Texas on Sept. 1 in Tiger Stadium.
CBSSports.com All-America Team
First Team
Offense
QB, Matt Barkley, USC
RB, Montee Ball, Wisconsin
RB, Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina
WR, Sammy Watkins, Clemson
WR, Robert Woods, USC
WR, Marquess Wilson, Washington State
TE, Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame
OT, D.J. Fluker, Alabama
OT, Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M
OG, Chance Warmack, Alabama
OG, Travis Frederick, Wisconsin
C, Barrett Jones, Alabama
Defense
DE, Sam Montgomery, LSU
DE, Jackson Jeffcoat, Texas
DT, Star Lotulelei, Utah
DT, Johnathan Hankins, Ohio State
LB, Jarvis Jones, Georgia
LB, Manti Te’o, Notre Dame
LB, Chase Thomas, Stanford
DB, David Amerson, N.C. State
DB, Tyrann Mathieu, LSU
S, T.J. McDonald, USC
S, Eric Reid, LSU
Special Teams
P, Brad Wing, LSU
K, Caleb Sturgis, Florida
KR, De’Anthony Thomas, Oregon
PR, Tyrann Mathieu, LSU
AP, Tavon Austin, West Virginia
Second Team
Offense
QB, Denard Robinson, Michigan
RB, Knile Davis, Arkansas
RB, Joseph Randle, Oklahoma State
WR, Kenny Stills, Oklahoma
WR, Marquise Lee, USC
WR, Keenan Allen, California
TE, Phillip Lutzenkirchen, Auburn
OT, Ricky Wagner, Wisconsin
OT, Taylor Lewan, Michigan
OG, Gabe Ikard, Oklahoma
OG, Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina
C, Khaled Homes, USC
Defense
DE, William Gholston, Michigan State
DE, Barkevious Mingo, LSU
DT, Jesse Williams, Alabama
DT, John Jenkins, Georgia
LB, Shayne Skov, Stanford,
LB, Chris Borland, Wisconsin
LB, Arthur Brown, Kansas State
CB, Xavier Rhodes, Florida State
CB, Nickell Robey, USC
S, Tony Jefferson, Oklahoma
S, Robert Lester, Alabama
Special Teams
K, Quinn Sharp, Oklahoma State
P, Ryan Allen, Louisiana Tech
KR, Tavon Austin, West Virginia
PR, Greg Reid, Florida State
AP, De’Anthony Thomas, Oregon