USA TODAY Sports Freshman All-America team – USA TODAY
College football’s next wave of stars begin their careers on the USA TODAY Sports Freshman All-America team, which features a collection of first-year talent from each of the five major conferences.
The offense is led by UCLA freshman phenom Josh Rosen, who put together debut matching the expectations surrounding his ballyhooed arrival. The offensive side also features two freshmen from Alabama in wide receiver Calvin Ridley and offensive lineman Ross Pierschbacher.
Southern California placed two freshmen on the defensive side of the ball in linebacker Cameron Smith and cornerback Iman Marshall. Despite its disappointing season, Missouri had two defensive linemen, Walter Brady and Terry Beckner, Jr., earn Freshmen All-America honors.
OFFENSE
QB: Josh Rosen, UCLA
RB: Mike Warren, Iowa State
RB: Saquon Barkley, Penn State
WR: Calvin Ridley, Alabama
WR: Richie James, Middle Tennessee State
WR: Courtland Sutton, SMU
OL: Mitch Hyatt, Clemson
OL: Ross Pierschbacher, Alabama
OL: Will Noble, Houston
OL: Will Clapp, LSU
OL: Connor Williams, Texas
DEFENSE
DL: Hercules Mata’afa, Washington State
DL: Walter Brady, Missouri
DL: Terry Beckner Jr., Missouri
DL: Sam Hubbard, Ohio State
LB: Cameron Smith, USC
LB: Azeez Al-Shaair, Florida Atlantic
LB: Malik Jefferson, Texas
CB: Iman Marshall, USC
CB: Kareem Orr, Arizona State
S: Derwin James, Florida State
S: Jordan Whitehead, Pittsburgh
SPECIALISTS
K: Greg Huegel, Clemson
P: Corey Fatony, Missouri
RET: Christian Kirk, Texas A&M
USA TODAY SPORTS FRESHMAN ALL-AMERICAS