The Dominance of the SEC: Analyzing the 2010s College Football All-America Team

The 2010s were a transformative decade for college football, with the Southeastern Conference (SEC) rising to unprecedented heights of success. The conference claimed six national championships throughout the decade, with Auburn, Alabama, and LSU's historic 2019 title run cementing its status as the powerhouse of college football. As we take a closer look at the Sporting News 2010s College Football All-America team, it's clear that the SEC's dominance is reflected in the selections.

Ten of the 25 players selected to the All-America team hailed from the SEC, a testament to the conference's enduring strength. The absence of any 2019 Auburn Tigers from the cut, however, hints at the changing landscape of college football. As we navigate the decade's top talent, it's essential to acknowledge the contributions of these phenomenal players.

The offensive units featured Lamar Jackson, the prolific Louisville quarterback, and Alabama running back Derrick Henry, who are now NFL teammates with the Baltimore Ravens. They were joined by Pitt's Aaron Donald and Texas A&M's Myles Garrett, who, coincidentally, may soon be future NFL teammates. This all-decade team boasts a remarkable assembly of skill and athleticism.

The offense, in particular, boasts an unprecedented level of talent, with 36 Pro Bowl appearances and 15 All-Pro selections combining for an unparalleled level of excellence. This collection of star players was, by all accounts, a can't-miss proposition. Lamar Jackson won the Heisman Trophy in 2016, while Derrick Henry claimed the award in 2015. Blackmon, a two-time Biletnikoff Award winner and Unanimous All-America selection, was also an integral part of the team.

When it came to the running back positions, Henry and Stanford's Christian McCaffrey received significant consideration. Henry's 2015 Heisman Trophy win, a highly contested decision at the time, saw him edge out McCaffrey by 293 votes. Interestingly, both players are included on the All-America team, while Jonathan Taylor and Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin's standout running backs, were unfortunately left off the roster. Their exclusion is not without merit, as there is undoubtedly no wrong choice in selecting among these three elite Big Ten running backs.

At the quarterback position, we favored Louisville's Lamar Jackson over other potential candidates. Clemson's Deshaun Watson never captured the Heisman Trophy, but his 2016 national championship campaign was impressive. LSU's Joe Burrow and Auburn's Cam Newton, meanwhile, had arguably the two greatest seasons by a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback in history. Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield and Oregon's Marcus Mariota received consideration, but Jackson's extraordinary statistics as a two-year starter at Louisville made the decision clear.

The defensive line was a highlight of the decade, with Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald standing out. Donald won the Bednarik Award, Nagurski Trophy, Lombardi Award, and Outland Trophy in a dominant 2013 season, with 11 sacks and 28.5 tackles for loss. Meanwhile, Chase Young of Ohio State finished fourth in the 2019 Heisman Trophy voting. Mathieu, or the 'Honey Badger,' and Allen finished fifth and seventh, respectively, in the Heisman Trophy voting. Kuechly, who led the NCAA in total tackles for two consecutive seasons, rounded out the defensive unit.

The defensive line boasted an incredible array of talent, with standout performances from Allen, Donald, and Young. The addition of Myles Garrett further deepened the pool of top players at the defensive line position. The possibility of second-team selections including Bradley Chubb, Joey Bosa, Jadeveon Clowney, Ed Oliver, Christian Wilkins, and Quinnen Williams, all of whom are among the top defensive linemen in the country, underscores the immense talent at hand.

Among the safety positions, the numbers of Jabrill Peppers and Tyrann Mathieu were comparable across the board. Mathieu's greater impact in the secondary for LSU in 2011, however, made the selection clear. With the conference contributing a total of three defensive backs, including Peterson and Claiborne on the Unanimous All-America team, the talent pool was deep and well-stocked.