House of Sparky's Ballot for SB Nation's Preseason All-American Team

As the college football season approaches, it's time for football fans to get their hands on any football information at their disposal. If you're anything like the team at House of Sparky, you've been scouring magazines, websites, and Twitter for any and all college football related articles.

One of our favorite things to follow is pre-season All-American teams. As huge Will Sutton fans, we can't help but check every single publication to make sure that it included Tempe's own sack master on their pre-season list.

Because House of Sparky is a part of SB Nation, we had an opportunity to submit a ballot for SB Nation's very own Pre-Season All-American team. We are honored to have a chance to participate, and we wanted to share our ballot with you so you could offer your thoughts on our selections.

So without further ado...

Offense

QB: Braxton Miller-Ohio State

So right off the bat, I know you're calling me crazy for this one. Johnny Manziel is the reigning Heisman trophy winner, and he deserves the spot. But hear me out. Manziel has been living it up this offseason, and it seems downright impossible that he would tear up the SEC in similar fashion this season. Miller is a great college quarterback, Ohio State won't play against vaunted defenses, and in Urban Meyer's system, he'll have a chance to put up fantastic numbers yet again. I also considered Teddy Bridgewater of Louisville, and my dark horse is David Fales of San Jose State.

RB- T.J. Yeldon-Alabama

RB- Ka'Deem Carey-Arizona

RB- Lache Seastrunk-Baylor

We had five spots to include running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends, and I decided to go with three deserving running backs. T.J. Yeldon had an exceptional freshman season, and when you play behind one of the best O-Lines in the country, you will continue to put up great numbers.

As for Carey, even a Sun Devil fan has to respect what the man did last year. He led the nation in rushing, and his 366-yard effort against Colorado was simply incredible. Though it was a rough offseason, he is as talented as they come at the position.

Finally, it's Seastrunk time. This pick might seem puzzling, but all I ask is that you watch Seastrunk run the football a few times this season. Each time I watch him, I'm in awe of his explosiveness and his game-breaking ability and I think he's a more exciting player than De'Anthony Thomas.

WR-Marqise Lee-USC

WR-Sammy Watkins-Clemson

These were relatively simple picks. Lee has blazing speed, just ask the Arizona State secondary. If USC can find a quarterback (and that's a big IF), Lee has a chance to lead the country in all receiving categories.

Watching Watkins play is a wonderfully fun experience. I would compare him to a Seastrunk type where every time he touches the football, something crazy and exciting can happen.

C-Gabe Ikard-Oklahoma

G-David Yankey-Stanford

G-Gabe Jackson-Mississippi State

T-Jake Matthews-Texas A&M

T-Cyrus Kouandijo-Alabama

Ok, I won't pretend to know about offensive linemen. These picks were made with help from other sources, but I do know a few things.

I know Stanford's run schemes are among the most innovative in the country, and I know Yankey gives them the freedom to try new things on the ground.

I know Jake Matthews could have been a top pick in this year's NFL Draft. I also know he protects Johnny Manziel, and I know Manziel has all day to throw.

I know Alabama always has great linemen, and I know Kouandijo is the best of the bunch this year.

Defense

DE-Jadaveon Clowney-South Carolina

DT-Will Sutton-Arizona State

DT-Timmy Jernigan-Florida State

DE-Stephen Tuitt-Notre Dame

Anyone who doesn't put Clowney on their list does not deserve a vote. Will Sutton is as productive as they come, he's a no-brainer for all voters, not just House of Sparky. As for Jernigan, he's the face of an exceptional Florida State defensive line. Stephen Tuitt didn't get the hype Manti Te'o did last season, but he was just as critical to Notre Dame's defensive success.

Cari

OLB-Anthony Barr-UCLA

MLB-C.J. Mosley-Alabama

OLB-Shayne Skov-Stanford

Barr and Mosley are obvious picks, but as a Pac-12 homer, I probably have to defend Skov. I've watched this guy play since high school, and when he's healthy, I don't think there's a limit to what he can do on the football field. He'll be two years removed from a knee injury, and he'll put it all on the line each and every game.

P.S. My All-American team runs the 4-3 defense.

CB-Ifo Ekpre-Olomu-Oregon

CB-Bradley Roby-Ohio State

Both of these guys are as close to a lockdown corner as you can find at the college level, and I doubt many teams will pass the football in their general direction.

S-Ed Reynolds-Stanford

S-Haha Clinton-Dix-Alabama

Coming to a SportsCenter Top 10 near you, both of these safeties can turn the tide of a game with a single play.

K-Cairo Santos-Tulane

P-Kyle Christy-Florida

Everyone else chose these guys, so why not?

Returner-Dri Archer-Kent State

All Purpose-De'Anthony Thomas-Oregon

Ever heard of MACtion? Dri Archer is a main reason behind the nickname. Meanwhile, De'Anthony Thomas will be used in a multitude of clever ways this year, and I couldn't be more happy to watch his highlights from afar as opposed to watching them in the Sun Devil Stadium press box.

Author's Note: Marion Grice averaged more touchdowns per touch than De'Anthony Thomas last season.

Coach-Nick Saban-Alabama

A journey to the center of the college football universe takes you to Tuscaloosa.

Offensive Coordinator-Phillip Montgomery-Baylor

Why do I have this weird Baylor obsession?

Defensive Coordinator-Kirby Smart-Alabama

You watch an Alabama game and try to tell me I made a bad pick here.

Now it's time to tell me if you agree with my picks, disagree with my picks, or if you think that they should strip me of the right to vote altogether.