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| Quinton Patton is one of the most dangerous weapons in the WAC. (US Presswire) |
With the season quickly approaching CBSSports.com's Eye On College Football Blog unveils its All-Conference Teams. Today we take a look at the Western Athletic Conference.
OFFENSE
Quarterback
<img style=Chuckie Keeton" data-canon="Chuckie Keeton" data-type="SPORTS_OBJECT_PLAYER" id="shortcode0">, Utah State - The college football world got its first look at Keeton when he led the Aggies to a near-upset of defending national champ Auburn in last year's season opener - as a true freshman. Keeton struggled with injuries but went on to have a solid debut campaign, throwing for 1,200 yards with 11 touchdowns and just two interceptions. Look for him to blossom as a sophomore.
Also considered: Colby Cameron, Louisiana Tech.
Running Backs
Hunter Lee, Louisiana Tech - The former walk-on takes over as the full time starter after rushing for 650 yards and five scores as a 2011 backup. He flashed his potential with three 100-yard games last season, including 127 yards against Ole Miss.
Terrance Franks, Texas State - Dennis Franchione teams always thrive running the ball and Franks should once again benefit as he comes off a 863-yard, 9-touchdown effort as a redshirt freshman.
Also considered: De'Leon Eskridge, San Jose State; Kerwynn Williams, Utah State.
Wide Receivers
Quinton Patton, Louisiana Tech - The 6-2, 195-pound Patton was a first-team All-WAC pick last year after catching 79 passes for 1,202 yards and 11 scores. He gives quarterback Colby Cameron a big target who can also stretch the field.
Kemonte' Bateman, New Mexico State - The highly-touted Bateman originally committed to Arizona State out of high school but ended up at junior college before making his way to Las Cruces. He had 28 catches for 414 yards and four scores in his first season for the Aggies and should double those numbers in 2012.
Noel Grigsby, San Jose State - Grigsby caught 89 passes for 886 yards and a two scores as a 2011 sophomore on his way to earning second team All-WAC honors. The 5-11, 175-pound possession receiver heads up one of the league's best receiving corps.
Also considered: Myles White, Louisiana Tech; Mike Scott, Idaho.
Tight End
<img style=Ryan Otten" data-canon="Ryan Otten" data-type="SPORTS_OBJECT_PLAYER" id="shortcode0">, San Jose State - Otten was among the most productive tight ends in the nation last year, catching 52 passes for 739 yards and five touchdowns while averaging 14.2 yards per catch. For his efforts, he earned first-team All-WAC honors and landed on the 2012 Mackey Award Watch List.
Center
Stephen Warner, Louisiana Tech - The 6-0, 295-pound Warner is in his fourth season as a starter and is coming off an All-WAC junior year. He's the leader of the league's best offensive line.
Guards
Kevin Saia, Louisiana Tech - Saia earned second-team All-WAC notice as a junior and returns for his fourth season as a starter. The 6-2, 305-pounder teams with Stephen Warner to form one of the most experienced interior line duos in the country.
Eric Schultz, Utah State - Schultz moves to right guard after starting 12 games at right tackle for the Aggies as a sophomore. He'll pace a unit that rolled up 227 yards rushing against Auburn last season.
Tackles
David Quessenberry, San Jose State - Quessenberry has prototypical size for a left tackle at 6-6, 295. He earned second-team All-WAC notice last year while helping the Spartans to tie for the league lead with just 17 sacks allowed.
Davonte Wallace, New Mexico State - The 6-4, 290-pound junior already has 24 starts under his belt and earned second-team All-WAC honors last season. He'll be the anchor of a rebuilt Aggie line in 2012.
Defensive End
Travis Johnson, San Jose State - Johnson is one of the reasons why some expect San Jose State to be a much-improved team in 2012. The 6-3, 244-pound senior had 73 tackles with 9.5 sacks last season on his way to earning first-team All-WAC honors.
Marlon Smith, Texas-San Antonio - The Roadrunners are making the jump to the FBS this season, but Smith should adjust with no problem. The 6-6 former basketball player was disruptive as a junior with 40 tackles, eight sacks and seven pass breakups.
Also considered: Ik Enemkpali, Louisiana Tech; Al Lapuaho, Utah State.
Defensive Tackle
<img style=Justin Ellis" data-canon="Justin Ellis" data-type="SPORTS_OBJECT_PLAYER" id="shortcode0">, Louisiana Tech - The massive Ellis (6-2, 330) did well plugging the middle for the Bulldogs last season, collecting 29 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss while earning second-team All-WAC honors as a junior.
Walter Taumoepeau, New Mexico State - Taumoepeau came to NMSU last season as a highly-touted JC transfer and did not disappoint as he had 25 tackles and three sacks while playing nose guard in the Aggies' 3-4 defensive scheme.
Also considered: Travis Raciti, San Jose State; Ashaad Mabry, UTSA.
Linebackers
Keith Smith, San Jose State - Smith led the Spartans with 104 tackles last season while earning second-team All-WAC recognition. He paced a defense that held the powerful Stanford rushing attack to just 3.5 yards per carry.
Bojay Filimoeatu, Utah State - The former JC All-American had 41 tackles (11 behind the line) in his first year with the Aggies. At 6-2, 256-pounds, he has the size and strength to be one of the best defensive players in the league.
Conrad Scheidt, Idaho - Scheidt had 93 tackles and eight tackles for loss as a junior and should be one of the mainstays of a much-improved Vandal defensive unit in 2012.
Also considered: Vince Buhagiar, San Jose State; Bryan Bonilla, New Mexico State.
Cornerbacks
Jumanne Robertson, Utah State - Robertson was a key reason the Aggies allowed a league-low 17 touchdown passes in 2012. He had 12 pass break ups and leads all returning conference defenders in that category.
Nevin Lawson, Utah State - Lawson teams with Robertson to form the WAC's best cornerback duo. He had 73 tackles, an interception and 10 pass break ups as a 2011 sophomore.
Also considered: Aaron Grymes, Idaho; Darryl Morris, Texas State.
Safeties
Chad Boyd, Louisiana Tech - Boyd was all over the field for the Bulldogs in 2011, collecting 76 tackles (three of them for losses), intercepting three passes and breaking up another six on his way to being named second-team All-WAC.
Xavier Daniels, Texas State - Daniels led the Bobcats in tackles last season with 77 and also added three picks and five pass break ups. The first-team All-FCS selection should help ease the Bobcats' transition to the FBS.
Also considered: James Orth, San Jose State; Gary Walker, Idaho.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Placekicker
Matt Nelson, Louisiana Tech - Nelson earned first-team All-WAC honors while hitting 15 of 21 field goals (with a long of 47) and 46 of 48 PATs.
Punter
Bobby Cowan, Idaho - Cowan is a returning All-American who was second nationally in punting in 2011 with an average of 46.41 yards per punt.
Specialist
Kerwynn Williams, Utah State - The slippery Williams averaged 14 yards on punt returns and 22.7 yards on kickoff returns as he totaled 915 total return yards in 2011.
