We're halfway through the 2017 college football season, which means it's time to roll out Sporting News' midseason All-American college football team.
This list features Heisman Trophy contenders such as Penn State's Saquon Barkley and Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield, but is also heavy on star-studded defensive linemen and special teams standouts. That said, these are just midseason awards — we still have seven weeks to go in the regular season before the real hardware comes out.
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Sporting News is one of five outlets used to determine consensus All-Americans, so it's a good idea to stay on the list. With that in mind, our picks:
Offense
Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma, QB
Mayfield leads the FBS in passer rating (207.3) and owns a 72.7 completion percentage with 17 touchdowns and just one interception. The 2015 Sporting News College Football Player of the Year now needs to pull the Sooners up after a shocking loss to Iowa State. He's on his way after leading Oklahoma to a close win against Texas.
Saquon Barkley, Penn State, RB
Barkley is the best all-around player in college football, with 649 rushing yards and six touchdowns. He also has 395 yards receiving, and that's with defenses selling out to stop him.
Bryce Love, Stanford, RB
Love leads the nation with 1,387 rushing yards and has an eye-popping 10.3 yards per carry, not to mention 11 touchdowns. He also averages 198.1 rushing yards per game, which gives him a legitimate shot at the FBS single-season rushing record.
James Washington, Oklahoma State, WR
He's the best home-run threat in college football, and the proof is in his 25.9 yards per reception. Look for Washington to pile on the stats as Big 12 play kicks into high gear.
Cam Phillips, Virginia Tech, WR
Phillips combines high-volume receptions (42) and yards (608) with the ability to make the big play, grabbing 10 receptions of at least 20 yards through six games. Can he keep that pace going in the second half of the season?
Jaylen Samuels, N.C. State, TE
He's one of the best athletes in the nation, tallying 453 yards and three touchdowns so far while leading all FBS tight ends with 54 receptions. His performance is helping the Wolfpack stay in the ACC Atlantic hunt.
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Bradley Bozeman, Alabama, OL
The fifth-year senior is the stalwart of an Alabama offense that continues to dominate on the ground with 302.6 rushing yards per game. When the Crimson Tide have the right guy in the middle, good things happen.
Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame, OL
The Irish average more rushing yards than the Tide (308.0 per game), and that's because Nelson and fellow All-American candidate Mike McGlinchey anchor an elite O-line unit.
Cody O'Connell, Washington State, OL
O'Connell is on his way to consecutive first-team honors on this list, and has a huge part of the Cougars' rise in the Pac-12 North. It's business as usual.
Orlando Brown, Oklahoma, OL
Brown and the rest of Sooners' offensive line showcased their talent in a win over Ohio State earlier this season. He's a massive tackle with a bright NFL future.
Mitch Hyatt, Clemson, OL
Hyatt is a former five-star recruit who leads a unit that continues to pile up rushing touchdowns (23) in the Tigers' defense of last season's national championship.
Dante Pettis, Washington, ATH
Pettis is a dual-threat player for the Huskies. He's the team's leading receiver with 472 yards and six touchdowns. He's one of the most dangerous punt returners in the game, averaging 24.4 yards per return and taking three back for touchdowns.
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Defense
Bradley Chubb, N.C. State, DL
Chubb plays the run and pass with equal ferocity. He's making a strong case for best defensive player in college football, accumulating 6.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss so far this season. He has been that good.
Austin Bryant, Clemson, DL
Bryant's four-sack game against Auburn wasn't a fluke. He has continued to produce with 5.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss as part of the best defensive line in college football.
Dexter Lawrence, Clemson, DL
Lawrence continues to be a disruptive force in the middle of the Clemson defense that opens up lanes for the other pass-rushers. He's only going to get better, too.
Nick Bosa, Ohio State, DL
Bosa, who has five sacks and 12 tackles for loss so far this season, is developing into the same devastating player his older brother Joey was for the Buckeyes. This should surprise no one.
Josey Jewell, Iowa, LB
Jewell leads the Big Ten with 68 tackles and has 9.5 for loss, second only to Nick Bosa. He continues to be a steady force in the middle of the Hawkeyes' defense.
Roquan Smith, Georgia, LB
Smith is a stabilizing force on an elite unit. He has 53 tackles this season and sets the standard of prototype linebacker in a Kirby Smart-coached defense.
Devin Bush, Michigan, LB
Bush has 48 tackles, five sacks and six tackles for loss, a stat line few linebackers can boast — especially as first-year starters. Bush is that type of difference-maker for the Wolverines.
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Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama, DB
Fitzpatrick has 4.5 tackles for loss, a sack and an interception. The all-around talent elevates the play of those around him, and should add to those totals in the second half of the season.
Ronnie Harrison, Alabama, DB
Harrison helps Fitzpatrick anchor one of the best secondaries in the country. He leads Alabama with 41 tackles and also has two sacks and two interceptions.
DeShon Elliott, Texas, DB
Elliott is tied for a nation lead with five interceptions, and has helped Texas bounce back from a season-opening loss to Maryland to take the next step in the Big 12. The junior had two picks against USC and Iowa State.
Derwin James, Florida State, DB
The Seminoles had a rough first half of the season, but James continues to be a dynamic player on the team. He's a game-changer, and will continue to be.
Special Teams
Matt Gay, Utah, K
The Utes have a strong tradition of special teams stars, and Gay is the next in line. He has completed 16 of 18 field goals — including 4 of 5 from 40 yards or farther — and is a perfect 19 of 19 on extra point attempts. Easy choice here.
Johnny Townsend, Florida, P
Townsend ranks second in the FBS by averaging 48.5 yards per punt, helping the Gators consistently win the battle of field position.
Darius Phillips, Western Michigan, KR/PR
Phillips, a cornerback, has two return touchdowns on kickoffs this year and has averaged 36.8 yards per return. He also averages 13.4 yards per punt return.
