Three LSU Tigers Stars Named AP Preseason All-Americans

The Associated Press has been releasing its football rankings and honors ahead of the season beginning in just a couple of weeks. On Tuesday, the AP announced its preseason All-Americans.

LSU Tigers tight end Trey'Dez Green made the first team, while left tackle Jordan Seaton and safety Ty Benefield made the list on the second team. That's one of the top players that the Tigers retained through the coaching change and two of the biggest additions that Lane Kiffin made out of the transfer portals.

The two biggest snubs that LSU fans might notice are quarterback Sam Leavitt and linebacker Whit Weeks, but, understandably, they didn't make it. Both are coming off down years, but now have the opportunity to prove them wrong.

Leavitt was the top quarterback in the transfer portal, but both Dante Moore of the Oregon Ducks and Trinidad Chambliss of the Ole Miss Rebels are more respected right now. If this season ends with a Tigers Playoff appearance, then Leavitt will likely end up as a Heisman finalist, so All-American is certainly within reach.

As for Weeks, the linebacker position is equally stacked, but he certainly had a case for at least second-team. His 2024 campaign was elite, but injuries cost him as a junior and this award obviously has a lot to do with recency bias.

Green making it to the first team should come as a surprise to no one at all. He is one of the most anticipated playmakers in all of the country. While the team has yet to announce this year's No. 7 recipient, Green is the heavy favorite. That is usually the sign of someone who is going to have a major impact.

Seaton could have been the first-team tackle. Like Leavitt, he was the top player out of the transfer portal at his position. He has been a highly-touted offensive tackle since his high school days. Entering his third season, he'll hopefully be able to combine that natural athletic ability with two years of experience and an offseason with what should be one of the top coaching staffs in the nation.

Benefield has been the talk of Baton Rouge since he arrived on campus. The loss of AJ Haulcy was big, but it feels like the consensus thought that LSU actually upgraded at safety this offseason. The former Boise State Broncos star has 235 career tackles with five interceptions and 12 passes broken up.