Athlon: 18 B1G stars earn preseason All-America honors

Athlon Sports released its College Football 2014 All-America Team on Monday, and 18 Big Ten stars made the cut, with Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon, Ohio State DT Michael Bennett and Michigan State P Mike Sadler earning first-team distinction. See all of Athlon's Big Ten preseason All-Americans in this post.

[ MORE: How does Athlon's list compare to Phil Steele's? ]

OFFENSE
QB: Braxton Miller, Ohio State – 3rd team
RB: Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin – 1st team
RB: Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska – 2nd team
RB: Jeremy Langford, Michigan State – 4th team
TE: Jeff Heuerman, Ohio State – 3rd team
T: Brandon Scherff, Iowa – 2nd team
AP: Stefon Diggs, Maryland – 2nd team

First impression: Diggs is going to be an exciting addition to the Big Ten; in fact, he may be the conference's most prolific player. Also, the Melvin-Ameer battle for the Big Ten's top back is going to be so much fun to watch this season.

DEFENSE
DT: Michael Bennett, Ohio State – 1st team
DT: Carl Davis, Iowa – 4th team
DE: Shilique Calhoun, Michigan State – 2nd team
DE: Randy Gregory, Nebraska – 2nd team
DE: Joey Bosa, Ohio State – 4th team
LB: Jake Ryan, Michigan – 4th team
CB: Trae Waynes, Michigan State – 4th team
S: Kurtis Drummond, Michigan State – 3rd team

First impression: The Big Ten is going to be absolutely stacked on the defensive line. Prediction: Bosa, Calhoun or Gregory will be a postseason first-team All-America.

SPECIAL TEAMS
P: Mike Sadler, Michigan State – 1st team
P: Cameron Johnston, Ohio State – 3rd team
PR: Venric Mark, Northwestern – 4th team

First impression: It's great to see Mark getting some respect this offeseason. He's coming off an injury-plagued year, but he seems to be flying way under the radar entering 2013. The Big Ten's depth at running back certainly plays a role in that.

View Athlon's full 2014 Preseason All-America Team.