Saquon Barkley, Mike Gesicki named to AP preseason All-America first-team

A couple Nittany Lions were nationally recognized on Tuesday.

Penn State running back Saquon Barkley and tight end Mike Gesicki were named to the Associated Press’ preseason All-America first-team.

Nittany Lions quarterback Trace McSorley did not make the first or second-team. Instead, Southern California’s Sam Darnold and Louisville’s Lamar Jackson were recognized.

Penn State is the only team to have two offensive players named to the first-team.

Barkley, Gesicki, Ohio State center Billy Price and Iowa linebacker Josey Jewell were the only Big Ten players on the first-team. Wisconsin tight end Troy Fumagalli, Ohio State defensive end Tyquan Lewis, Michigan pass-rusher Rashan Gary, Indiana linebacker Tegray Scales and Northwestern safety Godwin Igewbuike — all of whom the Nittany Lions will face in 2017 — landed on the second-team.

Barkley, Gesicki and the Nittany Lions open their 2017 season against Akron on Sept. 2.

This story was originally published August 22, 2017 at 12:28 PM with the headline "Saquon Barkley, Mike Gesicki named to AP preseason All-America first-team."