After taking down Alabama to win the national championship, Georgia places three star defenders on USA TODAY Sports’ all-bowl team to end the 2021 season.
Defensive tackle Jordan Davis, linebacker Nakobe Dean and cornerback Derion Kendrick were the stalwarts of a defense that ranks among the best in recent college football history. Other picks on defense include Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson, Oklahoma State linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez and Baylor defensive back J.T. Woods.
While Georgia’s Stetson Bennett IV silenced his critics with five touchdowns and zero interceptions in the Bulldogs’ wins against Michigan and the Crimson Tide, the bowl-team quarterback is Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud.
Stroud had the most prolific performance of his career and OSU wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba set a new bowl record for yards as the Buckeyes beat Utah in a memorable Rose Bowl shootout.
OFFENSE
QB: C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
The redshirt freshman may enter next season as the Heisman Trophy favorite after throwing for 573 yards and six touchdowns on 12.5 yards per throw as the Buckeyes stormed out of an early hole to take down the Utes.
Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) throws a pass during the second quarter against the Utah Utes in the Rose Bowl.
RB: Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State
RB: Brian Robinson, Alabama
With 146 rushing yards and four total touchdowns, Vaughn was too much for overmatched LSU to handle in the Wildcats’ 42-20 Texas Bowl win. Robinson eclipsed the 200-yard mark in the Tide’s 27-6 win against Cincinnati in the semifinals and added 96 yards of total offense against the Bulldogs.
WR: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
WR: Wan’Dale Robinson, Kentucky
TE: Jaheim Bell, South Carolina
Smith-Njigba’s 347 receiving yards (on 15 receptions with three touchdowns) set a new postseason record. Robinson set school records for receptions (10)…
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