ESPN names Way-Too-Early All-American Team for 2025 college football season

Just a few weeks ago, Atlanta was the center of the college football world as Ohio State won the national championship. The 2024 season was a brand new one for the sport and full of excitement. All focus is now on 2025 in what should be another thrilling year.

ESPN has decided to take a look at who could be the country’s best players next fall. Way-too-early All-American teams have been named by the worldwide leader, going two deep at every single position.

A ton of familiar names appear, with a big mix of experience and players fresh off breakout campaigns. The four power conferences are all represented while three Group of Five players get some recognition as well.

First-team offense

Quarterback: Cade Klubnik, Clemson
Klubnik returns to college football as one of the more experienced starting quarterbacks out there. This will be his third full season under center for Clemson, leading them to an ACC Championship and the College Football Playoff in 2024. Some legitimate receivers will surround Klubnik too, giving him the opportunity to put up some big numbers.

Running back: Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
As Notre Dame made a run to the national championship, Love dealt with illness and injuries. Even so, his impact was felt in all four games. With an impressive run through the CFP, ESPN expects Love to elevate to the next level this coming fall.

Running back: Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
Penn State is expected to have the best one-two tandem in college football moving forward, headlined by Singleton. Many thought leaving for the NFL Draft would be Singelton’s option after Penn State saw their season end. Instead, he will look for his third 1,000-yard season.

Wide receiver: Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
Some would argue Smith was the best player in college football last season. Many will tab him to be inserted in the Heisman Trophy discussion after an incredible true freshman campaign. A new quarterback, Julian Sayin, will be throwing him the ball but ESPN does not expect much drop-off.

Wide receiver: Ryan Williams, Alabama
The same can be said about Williams about a new quarterback taking over in Tuscaloosa. But Alabama is looking to produce a better aerial attack with whoever wins the QB job. No. 5 is going to play a massive role and could make two sophomore All-American wide receivers.

Tight end: Max Klare, Ohio State
Klare is the first transfer to make an appearance on the way-too-early list. Ohio State snagged the tight end out of the NCAA transfer portal via Purdue. Other big-name programs were thought to be in the running but returning home to the Buckeye State brings large expectations.

Offensive tackle: Francis Mauigoa, Miami
Not too long ago, offensive line was an issue in Coral Gables. Mario Cristobal quickly changed that, having a huge recruiting win in Mauigoa. Dividends have already paid off but could explode even further in 2025.

Offensive guard: Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
Of all the talent that Penn State returns from last year’s CFP semifinal run, the offensive lineman might be the most important. Ioane headlines the group after starting in all 16 games. Guys like Singleton will be thankful to have Ioane back too.

Center: Jake Slaughter, Florida
Earning a first-team All-American spot would be nothing new for Slaughter. He earned the honor after great performances in 2024, playing the most snaps of anybody on the Florida offense. DJ Lagway is taking over and should have a reliable center leading him along the way.

Offensive guard: Cayden Green, Missouri
Green was a high-level transfer last season, breaking some hearts in Norman. Missouri took some time to figure out exactly where on the offensive line he would play, eventually choosing guard. Results should pay off in Green’s third year of play, looking to become one of the nation’s best.

Offensive tackle: Spencer Fano, Utah
From the jump, Fano has played up to the level many thought he could in college football. Utah snagged the top-100 player, inserted him into the lineup, and has found a ton of success. A second-team guy last season, getting to first-team could be a goal moving forward.

All-purpose: Desmond Reid, Pittsburgh
Reid has an opportunity to be one of the more dynamic players in college football thanks to his ability as a receiver and coming out of the backfield. He finished with 1,545 total yards and nine touchdowns with the Panthers last year. You can add a punt return touchdown too, making Reid an all-around player.

First-Team Defense

Defensive end: T.J. Parker, Clemson
Almost nothing in college football is more impactful than returning production. Then you look at Parker’s stats and you know a star is coming back. Parker recorded 57 tackles, 19.5 TFLs, 11 sacks, and forced six fumbles. An easy pick for a way-too-early first-team All-American.

Defensive tackle: Peter Woods, Clemson
Possibly facing some transfer portal rumors after the CFP loss, Woods shut down the idea and is back with Clemson. He, alongside Parker, will terrorize opponents in all facets of the game. Along with being on All-American lists, you can expect to see Woods high in NFL mock draft.

Defensive line: LT Overton, Alabama
Alabama will be a team hoping to get to the quarterback on a more frequent basis. Overton found himself close at time but falling just short of getting sacks. Breaking through next year will be big for their defense and ESPN expects the numbers to be there.

Defensive end: Dylan Stewart, South Carolina
A few freshman standouts from 2024 are expected to have big sophomore campaigns and Stewart is no different. South Carolina’s pass rush had an elite duo but Stewart now takes over as the focal piece. SEC offensive tackles will have no easy days going up against the second-year player.

Linebacker: Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
Texas will be in consideration for preseason No. 1 this fall and Hill’s return is a huge reason why. He can be the quarterback of Pete Kwiatkowski‘s defense when needed. His athleticism is obvious and hopes to develop even more at the linebacker position.

Linebacker: Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh
Louis will be a fourth-year player, classifying himself as a redshirt junior. Pitt is working toward getting back into ACC contention and hopes Louis can be the key piece on defense. A stat sheet stuffer, No. 9 will once again be all over the field.

Linebacker: Suntarine Perkins, Ole Miss
Another athletic freak who has grown well into his position, Pete Golding has to be happy to have Perkins back on the roster. There was a spin-down to the EDGE at some point but for now, is still considered a linebacker. An offseason surgery is there but Perkins should be good to go by the season opener.

Cornerback: Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
There has already been unfortunate news surrounding McCoy this offseason. In mid-January, the Tennessee star tore his ACL and instantly began the recovery process. The potential to contribute in a big way is still there, though.

Cornerback: Leonard Moore, Notre Dame
Losing Benjamin Morrison was tough for Notre Dame but Moore turned out to be quite the ball player himself. Covering team’s best wide receivers is not easy but Moore held his own and then some down the stretch. Expectations will be high as the Irish hope to keep their form under a new coordinator.

Safety: Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Downs has been playing at an All-American level since arriving at Alabama as a freshman. The same was true with Ohio State en route to a national title and now, Downs might find himself in a different class. Consistent play at an elite level is the name of Downs’ game.

Safety: Rod Moore, Michigan
The safety position is split down the middle when it comes to The Game. Ohio State has theirs with Downs and now, Michigan gets a nod with Moore. Losing the DB to a spring ACL tear was a huge letdown but getting him to return has the same impact but in a positive fashion.

First-Team Special Teams

Placekicker: Dominic Zvada, Michigan
It’s hard to doubt a kicker who made all but two attempts in the season prior. Zvada was 21-22 on field goals and 26-27 on PATs. Perfection might now be the target in Ann Arbor.

Punter: Brett Thorson, Georgia
Another player who will be fresh off an injury, Thorson got hurt in the SEC Championship game against Texas. Even so, the punter should be ready to boom kicks when Kirby Smart calls upon him.

Returner: Barion Brown, LSU
SEC fans have seen Brown be college football’s top return man in Kentucky colors. Now, the Baton Rouge faithful is hoping for some special team excitement. LSU will certainly take somebody who has five career kickoff return touchdowns.

Second-Team Offense

QB: Arch Manning, Texas
RB: Kaytron Allen, Penn State
RB: Ahmad Handy, Missouri
WR: Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
WR: Nic Anderson, LSU
TE: Oscar Delp, Georgia
OT: Kage Casey, Boise State
OG: Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
C: Brady Small, Army
OG: Billy Schrauth, Notre Dame
OT: Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
AP: Isaac Brown, Louisville

Second-Team Defense

DE: Colin Simmons, Texas
DT: Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati
DL: Zane Durant, Penn State
DE: Mikail Kamara, Indiana
LB: Gabe Jacas, Illinois
LB: CJ Allen, Georgia
LB: Aiden Fisher, Indiana
CB: Chandler Rivers, Duke
CB: D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana
S: Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
S: Michael Taaffe, Texas

Second-Team Special Teams

PK: Will Ferrin, BYU
P: Ryan Eckley, Michigan State
Returner: Kam Shanks, UAB