Preseason praise for WVU

West Virgina got some love today from Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.

Athlon Sports named WVU a preseason No. 12 ranking, and Geno Smith and Tavon Austin were named preseason All-Americans.

Smith was voted second-team quarterback, and Austin was named to the second team at the all-purpose position.

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Phil Steele named nearly a dozen players to his preseason lists.

All Big 12 Preseason

First team: Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey

Second team: Geno Smith and Joe Madsen

Third team: Jeff Braun, Josh Jenkins, Jorge Wright and Terence Garvin

Fourth team: Will Clarke, Jewone Snow and Darwin Cook

Preseason All-Americans:

First team offense: Tavon Austin

Third team offense: Stedman Bailey

Fourth team offense: Geno Smith

Fourth team Special Teams: Tavon Austin