It should come as no surprise that the Jim McElwain-coached Trent Richardson made SB Nation's inaugural 2011 College Football All-America team. Bill Connelly sees Richardson as the clear choice to be the No. 1 back on this team due to being the best player on one of the top teams in the country. Richardson will likely take his talents to the NFL as an underclassman while McElwain now has the tough task of creating a winning program for the Colorado St. Rams.
Also making the cut is Boise St. Broncos tackle Nate Potter. He made second-team AP All-America on Wednesday and second-team Walter Camp All-America last week. Potter might not be a first-round pick like former Broncos Ryan Clady was, but he's following in Clady's footsteps of making All-America teams.
The journey to the NFL for the two begins after their bowl games, the Las Vegas Bowl for Potter and the BCS National Title Game for Richardson.
For more postseason and bowl coverage, head over to SB Nation NCAA Football.