Steele releases 2013 Preseason All-American Team

Phil Steele released his 2013 Preseason All-American Team, and the Big Ten featured 15 representatives, including three first-team honorees (Taylor Lewan, Ryan Shazier, Bradley Roby). The Big Ten's 15 players rank fifth among all conferences, one behind the Big 12. To no surprise, the SEC's 27 honorees led the way. See Steele's Big Ten preseason All-Americans in this post.

OFFENSE
First Team
OT: Taylor Lewan, Michigan

Second Team
QB: Braxton Miller, Ohio State
OG: Spencer Long, Nebraska

Third Team
WR: Allen Robinson, Penn State
TE: Jacob Pedersen, Wisconsin
OG: Andrew Norwell, Ohio State

Fourth Team
WR: Jared Abbrederis, Wisconsin
OT: Jake Mewhort, Ohio State

DEFENSE
First Team
LB: Ryan Shazier, Ohio State
CB: Bradley Roby, Ohio State

Second Team
LB: Chris Borland, Wisconsin
LB: Max Bullough, Michigan State

Third Team
CB: Darqueze Dennard, Michigan State

SPECIAL TEAMS
Third Team
LS: Matt Dooley, Indiana

Fourth Team
AP: Venric Mark, Northwestern

BY TEAM
5: Ohio State
3: Wisconsin
2: Michigan State
1: Indiana; Michigan; Nebraska; Northwestern; Penn State

Too much love: Jacob Pedersen (third team TE) – The guy is a very good tight end, no doubt about it. That said, I'm not so sure he's the top tight end in the Big Ten, let alone the third best in the nation. Tight end is a strong position this year, what with the likes of Ted Bolser, Kyle Carter, C.J. Fiedorowicz, Devin Funchess, Jesse James, Dan Vitale (superback), among others.

Too little love: Jonathan Brown, LB, Illinois (not on any team); Isaiah Lewis, S, Michigan State (not on any team); Kenny Bell, WR, Nebraska (not on any team); Tyler Scott, DE, Northwestern (not on any team).