The 2008 HP All-American Team–Defense

We did the 2008 HP All-American Offense team on Friday, now the defense:

Defensive Ends

1st team–Brian Orakpo, Texas; Aaron Maybin, Penn State

2nd team–Brandon Graham, Michigan; Jerry Hughes, TCU

3rd team–Clay Matthews, USC; Nick Reed, Oregon

Orakpo and Maybin wreaked havoc all year long for two teams that just missed out on the national title game.

Defensive Tackles

1st team–Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma; Peria Jerry, Ole Miss

2nd team–Fili Moala, USC; Terrance Cody, Alabama

3rd team–Mitch King, Iowa; Brian Price, UCLA

McCoy was the main cog in the middle for the Sooners while Jerry was a pariah to SEC offenses.

Outside Linebacker

1st team–Brian Cushing, USC; Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri

2nd team–Sergio Kindle, Texas; Clint Sintim, Virginia

3rd team–Kaluka Maiava, USC; Rennie Curran, Georgia

Cushing was the most outstanding backer on the No. 1 defense, while Weatherspoon was one of the few bright spots for the Tigers on that side of the ball.

Inside Linebacker

1st team–Brandon Spikes, Florida

2nd team–Rey Maualuga, USC

3rd team–James Laurinaitis, Ohio State

Spikes was a preseason HP All-American and did not disappoint, as he led a resurgent Gator defense.

Cornerback

1st team–Vontae Davis, Illinois; Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State

2nd team–Trevard Lindley, Kentucky; Alterraun Verner, UCLA

3rd team–Cary Harris, USC; Syd’Quan Thompson, Cal

Davis and Jenkins were not only the best corners in the Big Ten, but also the country.  Both will be first-round picks.

Safety

1st team–Taylor Mays, USC; Eric Berry, Tennessee

2nd team–Rashad Johnson, Alabama; Kevin Ellison, USC

3rd team–Morgan Burnett, Georgia Tech; Michael Hamlin, Clemson

Both Mays and Berry were on the HP preseason team and both had magnificent seasons.