ESPN releases 2023 college football All-America Team

2023 provided one of the most exciting college football seasons to date, with seemingly more elite teams across the nation than ever before at the conclusion of the season. But the same could be said about the elite players across college football as well, with tons of talent spanning across the country that resulted in countless impressive individual performances.

With that in mind, ESPN released their 2023 All-American team following the season. From dual-threat, Heisman trophy-winning quarterbacks to pass rushers who lived behind the line of scrimmage all season, there was no shortage of impressive players on this year’s team.

Check out ESPN’s First and Second-team All American’s for offense, defense, and special teams below.

First-Team Offense

QB — Jayden Daniels, LSU
It’s not a surprise that the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner leads off the All-American team following his impressive season for the Tigers. Daniels put together one of the most impressive dual-threat quarterback seasons in college football history this year, accounting for 4,946 total yards of offense and 50 touchdowns.

RB — Cody Schrader, Missouri
From walk-on player to All-American player, Schrader exemplified hard work and dedication throughout his career. He ended the 2023 season as the FBS leader in rushing yards per game with an average of 124.9 rushing yards a contest and was a huge part of the Mizzou’s impressive season in the SEC.

RB — Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
Ollie Gordon ran Oklahoma State all the way to the Big 12 Championship game following a slow start to the 2023 season. He took home the 2023 rushing title leading the nation with 1,614 rushing yards, and broke some of Barry Sanders’ program records in the process.

WR — Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
Some regarded Harrison as college football’s best player this season that’s not a quarterback. The Heisman Trophy finalist led all FBS players with more than 60 receptions with 18.1 yards per catch, also tying for second nationally with 14 touchdown grabs.

WR — Malik Nabers, LSU
Nabers was the other half of what was the most explosive offensive duo in the country between himself and Daniels. He was the Heisman Trophy winner’s favorite target this season, ending the year with 1,546 receiving yards which ranked first across all of college football.

TE — Brock Bowers, Georgia
Bowers’ season was riddled with injury following a mid-season ankle procedure, but that didn’t stop him from being regarded as the country’s best at his position. His 71.4 receiving yards per game led all tight ends in the nation, with his six touchdown catches tying the nation’s lead as well despite only playing in 10 games.

OT — Joe Alt, Notre Dame
This is Alt’s second appearance on ESPN’s All-American team following back-to-back impressive seasons with the Fighting Irish. The former tight end has evolved into one of the most coveted players eligible for the 2024 NFL Draft, allowing just one sack this season.

OG — Cooper Beebe, Kansas State
Like Alt, Beebe is another two-time All-American for ESPN on the offensive line. He’s played a multitude of positions on the offensive line throughout his career, allowing just one single sack since his sophomore season for the Wildcats.

C — Sedrick Van Pran, Georgia
Van Pran has been the anchor of the Bulldogs’ offensive for quite some time now, with the team boasting a 41-2 record in his 43 consecutive starts. His All-American honor can sit right beside the Jacobs Award he won this season as well, awarded to the SEC’s top blocker.

OG — Zak Zinter, Michigan
Zinter has been described as the heartbeat of Michigan’s team amid their impressive undefeated season. His season unfortunately ended devastatingly with a  broken tibia and fibula versus rival Ohio State, but there’s no doubt he’s still leading the Wolverines during their postseason push.

OT — Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
The 6-6, 334-pound Fuaga bust onto the scene his second season as a starter for the Beavers. Run blocking has his specialty, and according to PFF, he ended the season with the second-highest grade among FBS tackles this season.

AP — Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
Rounding out the offense is one of the most versatile players in the entire country, Ashton Jeanty. Jeanty led the FBS in scrimmage yards per game at 164.9, getting it done as a rusher, receiver, and returner for the Broncos.

First-Team Defense

DE/EDGE — Laiatu Latu, UCLA
Latu took home the Lombardi Award this season which is given to the best lineman in the country. His 21.5 tackles for loss led the entire nation, adding two interceptions and two forced fumbles to his impressive stat line for the Bruins as well.

DT — T’Vondre Sweat, Texas
Sweat was the anchor of the Longhorns’ impressive defense this season, serving as an immovable object on the defensive line. He constantly required the attention of multiple offensive linemen throughout the season, ending the year with eight tackles for loss and four pass breakups.

DT — Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois
The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year dominated this season for the Fighting Illini, leading the team with 7.5 sacks and nine quarterback hurries from the interior of the defensive line. He also blocked an impressive four kicks this season on special teams and will surely make a lucky NFL team better in 2024.

OLB/EDGE — Dallas Turner, Alabama
The reigning SEC’s Defensive Player of the Year followed in the footsteps of Will Anderson this season and didn’t disappoint. Turner was disruptive for the Crimson Tide defense this season with 13.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks, and 13 quarterback pressures, helping lead the team to 11 straight wins and an SEC title.

LB — Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson
For a second straight season, Trotter has been an absolute menace for Clemson’s defense, epitomizing what it means to be a sideline-to-sideline linebacker. He led the Tigers with 88 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks and will be looking to replicate that production on Sundays next season.

LB — Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M
Cooper evolved from a young Aggies player with promise to a dominating force on the defense. He earned First-Team All-SEC honors this season after posting a team-leading 83 tackles, adding 17 tackles for loss, eight sacks, 10 quarterback hurries, and two forced fumbles to his breakout season as well.

LB — Payton Wilson, NC State
Wilson was crowned the nation’s top linebacker following the season, taking home the prestigious Butkus Award. He was all over the field for the Wolfpack defense this season with 138 tackles, which ranked fourth in the FBS, while also snagging three interceptions and returning one to the house for a touchdown.

CB — Mike Sainristil, Michigan
After playing two seasons as a wide receiver for the Wolverines, Sainristil has since switched to defensive back and thrived. The two-time Michigan captain led the Wolverines with five interceptions this season, returning two for touchdowns, and was also crowded MVP of the Big Ten Championship after forcing two fumbles versus Purdue.

CB — Terrion Arnold, Alabama
Arnold continued the lineage of elite cornerbacks to play under Nick Saban in Alabama’s defense. His five interceptions and 11 pass breakups led the Crimson Tide this season, with his opposite cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry joining him on the All-American team with Second-Team honors.

S — Malaki Starks, Georgia
After earning a starting spot on the Bulldogs’ elite defense as a freshman last season, Starks doubled down on that with an impressive sophomore season in Athens. He’s started 27 games for Georgia and recorded 51 tackles this year, also notching two interceptions and seven pass breakups for the second straight season from the secondary.

S — Xavier Watts, Notre Dame
Like Sainristil, Watts too started off his career as an offensive player. But it’s clear he’s found his home on defense in his first season as a full-time safety. He took home the Bronko Nagurski Award, given annually to the top defensive player in the country, after leading the country with seven interceptions.

First-Team Special Teams

K — Graham Nicholson, Miami (Ohio)
The leg Nicholson was huge for Miami of Ohio this season, especially late in the year following the loss of starting quarterback Brett Gabbert. He made 25 straight field-goal attempts this season before missing a 48-yarder in the MAC Championship game, which represented his only miss of the season.

P — Tory Taylor, Iowa
Taylor was one of the most valuable pieces for the Hawkeyes this season who lacked offensive strength. He led the nation with 32 punts downed inside the 20-yard line, also leading the nation in total punts with 86. There’s no doubt that Iowa doesn’t make it to a Big Ten title game and a ten-win season without his ability to flip the field and dominate the field position battle.

Returner — Zachariah Branch, USC
Branch was the only freshman to make ESPN’s All-American team after bursting onto the scene with the Trojans this season. He found a way to return a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown this season, returning three punts for over 60 yards or longer on returns this season while also contributing as a wide receiver.

Second-Team Offense

QB — Michael Penix Jr., Washington
RB — Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
RB — Audric Estime, Notre Dame
WR — Malik Washington, Virginia
WR — Rome Odunze, Washington
TE — Dallin Holker, Colorado State
OT — Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
OG — Tanner Miller, Oregon State
C — Sedrick Van Pran, Georgia
OG — Christian Haynes, UConn
OT — Patrick Paul, Houston
AP — Ismail Mahdi, Texas State

Second-Team Defense

DE/EDGE — Jared Verse, Florida State
DT — Howard Cross III, Notre Dame
DT — Byron Murphy II, Texas
OLB/EDGE — Jalen Green, James Madison
LB — Nathaniel Watson, Mississippi State
LB — Jason Henderson, Old Dominion
LB — Jay Higgins, Iowa
CB — Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
CB — Cooper DeJean, Iowa
S — Tyler Nubin, Minnesota
S — Trey Taylor, Air Force

Second-Team Special Teams

K — Jose Pizano, UNLV
P — Ryan Rehkow, BYU
Returner — Jayden Harrison, Marshall