Nov. 23, 2005

By Bryan Armen Graham

Assistant Editor, CSTV.com

Mitch Mustain, the Springdale (Ark.) quarterback whose athletic style of play has drawn comparisons to a young Joe Montana, headlined Tom Lemming's All-American team, as released Wednesday on CSTV.com.

The 6-3, 198-pound signal-caller is having a "lights-out year" according to Lemming, having thrown for over 3,000 yards despite playing in the second half just once all season. (The Arkansas signee regularly leads his team to halftime advantages so insurmountable that its starters seldom play after the break.)

Chris Wells (Akron Garfield, Ohio/Ohio State) and C.J. Spiller (Lake Butler Union County, FL/Undecided) earned nods at running back. Wells, whom Lemming calls "Maurice Clarett without the baggage", will play at Ohio State next fall.

"He's a big back, with unusual speed and great power," Lemming said. "He should see immediate action with the Buckeyes next season."

Spiller's exceptional vision, balance and speed (a 10.4 time in the 100 meters) have drawn comparisons to Reggie Bush.

"He's the flash to Wells' power," Lemming said.

Percy Harvin (Va. Beach Landstown/Undecided) and David Ausberry (Lemoore, CA/Undecided) made the team as wide receivers. Harvin, widely considered the nation's most exciting player, is a threat to go all the way every time he touches the ball. Lemming called him an All-American at wideout, defensive back and kick returner. The 6-5, 215-pound Ausberry -- a "Mike Williams clone", according to Lemming -- has emerged as one of California's top prospects.

"Despite constant double teams, he still showed the explosive burst after the catch that the college scouts love to see in a big guy," Lemming said.

Konrad Reuland was an easy selection at tight end. One year after losing his blue-chip quarterback, Mark Sanchez (who now understudies Matt Leinart at USC), Reuland isn't catching as many passes as he did as a junior -- but he's checking out at 95 percent on his blocking assignments, asserting his all-around skills at the position.

Andre Smith (Birmingham Huffman, AL/Undecided) is "probably the No. 1 offensive lineman in the country" according to Lemming. Like Harvin and Myron Rolle, he earned MVP honors at the U.S. Army combine in San Antonio. The 6-5, 320-pound bulldozer "combines great size with exceptional quickness and tremendous power."

Despite looking thin at 292 pounds, Sam Young is "a perfect left tackle prospect" who shows "remarkable balance, flexibility and mobility".

Carl Johnson (Southern Durham/Florida) has been described as the most athletic of the nation's top big men with the "wingspan of a 747".

Lemming called Justin Anderson, a 6-4, 240-pound lineman, the most underrated offensive player in the country.

"He's a huge person who can really get going quickly and amazes college scouts with his lateral speed, balance and punch," Lemming said.

Jake Bscherer, a native of Sturgeon Bay, Wisc., has growth potential to weigh around 320 -- while retaining the speed of a 220-pounder.

Says Lemming, "If he lived in Chicago, he would have been offered by everyone by now."

On the defensive line, Ricky Sapp (Bamberg-Ehrhardt, SC/Clemson), Eddie Jones (Kilgore, TX/Texas), Gerald McCoy (Oklahoma City-Southeast/Undecided) and Al Woods (Elton, LA/LSU) get the call.

Sapp is a "faster-than-lightning pass rusher" who's been clocked at 10.6 in the 100-meter dash. The 6-5, 220-pounder impressed hoards of college scouts with closing speed typical of the most devastating pass rushers. The light-footed Jones is "more workmanlike than Sapp but just as effective", using his strength and quick hands to play off blocks. McCoy is a big body who "impresses everybody with his burst off the ball, balance and football smarts", while farm boy Woods -- the No.1 player in Louisiana -- is the nation's best run-stuffer.

Lemming said Sergio Kindle, the top player in Texas and a linebacker selection, has All-American ability at outside linebacker and tailback.

"He's a guy that's born to play on Sundays," Lemming said, "and is one of the most dominating all-around players in the country."

Brandon Graham (Detroit Crockett/Michigan) and Allen Bradford (Colton, CA/Undecided) round out the linebacker corps. Graham, who has collected nearly 200 tackles for the second season in a row, will become the first player from the state of Michigan to participate in the U.S. Army All-American game. Bradford is short (5-foot-11) but strong and compact.

"[Bradford] reminds me of Ray Lewis," Lemming said. "His great speed to the ball and big-time instincts have made him one of the most devastating defensive players in the nation."

Taylor Mays (Seattle O'Dea/USC), Antwine Perez (Camden Woodrow Wilson, NJ/USC), Darrin Walls (Pittsburgh Woodland Hills, PA/Notre Dame) and Jonas Mouton (Venice, CA/Undecided) make All-American in the secondary.

Mays, a state sprint champion at 223 lbs., is a "sure-handed receiver on offense and a terrific instinctive safety on defense", according to Lemming. Perez excels in coming up and supporting the run but also shows outstanding cover skills. Walls has continually proven to be the nation's top cover corner despite playing with a nagging bruised shoulder. Mouton hits like a linebacker but can cover like a corner.

"[Mouton] is a Ronnie Lott-type safety who may, if he keeps growing, wind up playing linebacker in college," Lemming said.

Ryan Donahue (Chicago St. Rita, IL/Iowa) made the team after single-handedly leading his team into the state playoffs with his game-changing punts and long-range field goals.

Also on Wednesday, Jimmy Clausen received Junior of the Year honors, an award traditionally given upon announcement of Lemming's All-American team.

"I've met Jimmy and watched him on film and I believe, right now, he has more ability at quarterback than any high school quarterback I've seen in the past five years," Lemming said. "He's a leader on the field with a quick release, just the consummate quarterback who can do it all."