On3's Preseason True Freshman All-America Team

College football is upon us. Early-season action provides us with the first glimpse of the sport’s new faces, and it’s always fun to see true freshman make early impacts on the big stage. With that in mind, we present On3’s Preseason True Freshman All-American Team.

This team is our attempt at picking the true freshmen we feel will have the best seasons. Though long-term upside is not ignored, this is more about the projected impact for this season. Though hard to predict, team situations and projected playing time played roles in selecting this team.

QB Ty Thompson, Oregon

On300 ranking: No. 36
There doesn’t appear to be a true freshman quarterback penciled in as a first-game starter – at least publicly. That makes this pick much more of a projection than some others. We’re going with Thompson for a few reasons. Mario Cristobal has been effusive in his praise and recently said he was the Ducks’ best quarterback in a fall scrimmage. Thompson is listed as the backup to Anthony Brown, who started two games for the Ducks in 2020 after transferring from Boston College. A Phoenix-area native, Thompson appears to be the future at quarterback for Oregon. Will Brown play well enough to give him an opportunity?

We feel as though five-star prospects Caleb Williams (Oklahoma), Jaxson Dart (USC) and Kyle McCord (Ohio State) would perform well if called upon, but they are behind talented starters. Blue-chippers like Sam Huard (Washington) and JJ McCarthy (Michigan) are two who could be pressed into duty if the starter doesn’t perform well. Braylon Braxton (Tulsa), Preston Stone (SMU), Taylen Green (Boise State) and Seth Henigan (Memphis) are some Group of 5 quarterbacks to watch.

RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State

On300 ranking: No. 20
At the conclusion of his junior season, we felt Henderson might be the most complete running back prospect in a few cycles. He has an extremely well-rounded skill set, with size, verified speed, vision, lateral agility and elite production. Nothing has happened since to change that opinion. Henderson didn’t play a senior season in Virginia because of COVID-19 and enrolled at Ohio State in time for spring practice. Look for Henderson to be part of a committee, at least early on, in addition to handling return duties. We wouldn’t be surprised to see his usage increase throughout the season. He’s the most talented back on the Buckeyes’ roster.

RB Will Shipley, Clemson

On300 ranking: No. 62
Clemson will look to Shipley to help replace Travis Etienne, one of the most accomplished running backs in ACC history. As with Henderson at Ohio State, Shipley enrolled during the spring after a postponed fall season and prolific high school career. He’s a top athlete with verified speed and ran for more than 2,000 yards and 30 touchdowns at nearly 11 yards per carry as a junior. Shipley, who also is a strong receiver, has drawn high praise from Dabo Swinney and his teammates. Shipley, from the Charlotte area, is the clear top talent in the Clemson running back room and should cement himself as the Tigers’ top running back by season’s end.

AP Caleb Hood, North Carolina

On300 ranking: No. 284
North Carolina is replacing two 1,000 yard rushers – Javonte Williams and Michael Carter – after both were taken in the NFL draft. Keep an eye on Hood, currently listed as the backup at running back behind Tennessee transfer Ty Chandler. Hood (5 feet 11, 230 pounds) is a former quarterback at Rockingham (N.C.) Richmond who has made the transition to running back. He has a good athletic profile and is a strong receiver.

WR Xavier Worthy, Texas

On300 ranking: No. 18
Worthy, a five-star prospect from Fresno (Calif.) Central, already is listed as a starter. Worthy was among the fastest prospects in the 2021 recruiting class, with a 10.55-second 100-meter time as a sophomore. He isn’t a one-trick pony, though, and pairs that top-end speed with strong ball skills. Worthy initially signed with Michigan, but was let out of his NLI and subsequently enrolled at Texas. Given the wide receiver situation at Texas, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Worthy as a featured piece of Steve Sarkisian’s offense rather quickly.

WR JoJo Earle, Alabama

On300 ranking: No. 49
Earle was the lone Alabama wide receiver signee who didn’t take part in spring practice. That didn’t hold him back. Earle, from Aledo (Texas) High, is listed as a co-starter in the slot for the Crimson Tide and also is expected to handle return duties. Earle brings a skill set unique to the Alabama receiving room. He’s a quick, shifty player in space who excels after the catch. Earle can pick up chunks of yards with his wiggle, while also using his balance and low center of gravity to bounce off of defenders.

WR Troy Franklin, Oregon

On300 ranking: No. 61
Franklin has separated himself since arriving on campus in the spring. He’s listed as the Ducks’ starting X receiver heading into the opener. Franklin, from Atherton (Calif.) Menlo-Atherton, flashed in the spring game, showing his ability to create separation vertically along with high-end ball-tracking skills. After a full offseason, we should see a more complete version of Joe Moorhead’s offense in Eugene. Franklin looks to be a key component to the passing game.

WR Adonai Mitchell, Georgia

On300 ranking: No. 105
Mitchell was a revelation for the Bulldogs after enrolling early. The freshman from the Nashville area had a strong spring-game performance. That hype has not slowed down through preseason camp. The Bulldogs have been banged up at receiver, making Mitchell even more important.

In putting this together, we quickly noticed that wide receiver had the most options. Some other receivers to watch include Joseph Manjack (USC), Blaine Green (Oklahoma State), Agiye Hall (Alabama), Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ohio State), Brian Thomas (LSU), Malik Nabers (LSU), Mario Williams (Oklahoma), Jaylin Noel (Iowa State), Keagan Johnson (Iowa), Michael Jackson (USC), Jamari Gassett (Buffalo), Dacari Collins (Clemson), Quincy Brown (TCU) and Malik McClain (Florida State)

TE Brock Bowers, Georgia

On300 ranking: No. 32
He was our top-ranked tight end in the 2021 cycle and has continued to show well since enrolling at Georgia. Bowers, from Napa, Calif., was perhaps the most athletic tight end in the class with a verified 4.55-second 40-yard dash and a 40-inch-plus vertical. He is capable of creating mismatches downfield when he draws linebackers in coverage. He’s good enough to draw targets alongside a healthy Darnell Washington. With Washington reportedly out for the Clemson game, we could see Bowers thrust into the spotlight rather quickly.

OL JC Latham, Alabama

On300 ranking: No. 7
He is listed as a co-second team right tackle heading into Saturday’s opener against Miami. Latham, a five-star prospect who played his senior season at IMG Academy, has received some first-team reps during camp while expected starter Kendall Randolph nursed a sprained ankle. Latham is a long, fleet-footed tackle with a strong base. Could we see the high-end talent win out by year’s end?

OL Amarius Mims, Georgia

On300 ranking: No. 8
Similar to Latham, Mims currently is working behind older, more experienced players. But we wouldn’t be surprised to see Georgia gradually work in Mims and 2020 five-star signee Broderick Jones at the tackle spots. Remember, Georgia opens with Clemson, which has arguably the best defensive line in college football. As the Bulldogs go through the season, we could see line coach Matt Luke work to get his five most talented linemen on the field, which would include Mims.

OL Reuben Fatheree, Texas A&M

On300 ranking: No. 53 
Fatheree (6-8, 320) is a huge tackle; he’s exceptionally long and a former basketball player. Fatheree has been working with the first string at times during camp and is currently listed as the Aggies’ co-starter at left tackle along with Tennessee transfer Jahmir Johnson – who has had some injury issues dating to his time in Knoxville.

OL Bryce Foster, Texas A&M

On300 ranking: No. 70
Like his classmate, Foster has been working with the first team at times during Texas A&M’s camp. He currently is listed as the backup center to Luke Matthews, who has battled injuries during his time in College Station. Few offensive linemen are coming into college more physically developed than Foster. He’s a filled-out, bull-strong athlete. Foster played some center in high school, so the position isn’t new to him.

OL Blake Fisher, Notre Dame

On300 ranking: No. 86
Fisher was put on the fast track to be Notre Dame’s starting left tackle in the spring, and he’s listed as the starter on Notre Dame’s depth chart. The Irish are looking to replace several offensive linemen who were drafted off last year’s team. Fisher is a big, technically sound tackle with upper-body strength and heavy hands. It’s possible we could see fellow true freshman Rocco Spindler on the Irish front this year, as well.

EDGE Jack Sawyer, Ohio State

On300 ranking: No. 3
Ohio State brings back some established players on the edge in Zach Harrison and Tyreke Smith. That said, we still expect to see Sawyer and fellow five-star freshman J.T. Tuimoloau get snaps this fall. Sawyer, in particular, has the ability to bring some juice on obvious passing downs. We wouldn’t be shocked to see Sawyer near the top of the team in sacks. He provided a glimpse of what he can do with several sacks in the spring game.

EDGE Korey Foreman, USC

On300 ranking: No. 5
Foreman was a huge recruiting win for USC, as the Trojans were able to keep a top talent from leaving their back yard. Foreman was not an early enrollee but still figures to see the field early. He’s expected to play opposite junior pass rusher Drake Jackson. Foreman was a physically advanced prospect with strong hands and the ability to convert speed to power as a pass rusher. Outside of Jackson, there aren’t any other pass rushers on the Trojans’ roster with his talent level.

DL Maason Smith, LSU

On300 ranking: No. 10
LSU has not released a depth chart in advance of its opener against UCLA, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see Smith as a starter. The five-star signee is big, long and strong – making for an advanced young defensive lineman. Additionally, veteran defensive tackle Glen Logan is out with a broken foot. Smith was likely to play significant snaps anyway, but Logan’s injury may expedite the progression.

DL Shemar Turner, Texas A&M

On300 ranking: No. 12
Turner saw a rapid physical progression over his last year at DeSoto (Texas) High. The five-star prospect added about 30 pounds without losing any athleticism. He’s listed at 6-4 and 285, and has the skills line up anywhere on the Aggies’ front. Turner has drawn high praise and has worked with the first string at times during camp. Even if he doesn’t start, expect to see Turner rotate in for one of the deeper defensive line units nationally.

LB Smael Mondon, Georgia

On300 ranking: No. 37
Mondon has drawn strong reviews since enrolling at Georgia in the spring. He’s a long, athletic presence at linebacker, and has impressed with his work ethic and physicality since arriving in Athens. Fellow freshman Jamon Dumas-Johnson also has impressed. Mondon gets the nod here, though, because of his high athletic ceiling.

LB Trevin Wallace, Kentucky

On300 ranking: No. 41
Wallace was a significant senior riser during the fall of 2020. Once committed to Boston College, the south Georgia product put together some strong production and outstanding video. He has verified top-end speed, with a 11.09-second 100-meter time as a sophomore. That transfers to the field, where Wallace is a violent run-and-strike linebacker. Wallace’s ascent has carried over to college and he’s already listed as a co-starter. Former Kentucky linebacker Jamin Davis was a steal out of Georgia and ended up becoming a first-round pick. Is Wallace next?

LB Junior Colson, Michigan

On300 ranking: No. 78
Colson is an active linebacker with sideline-to-sideline speed. He adds an infusion of athleticism to the Wolverines’ linebacking corps and probably is the most talented player of the bunch. Colson, from the Nashville area, has missed some time in camp with a minor injury but is not expected to miss much, if any, of the season.

CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama

On300 ranking: No. 13
Alabama has one firmly established corner in Josh Jobe. McKinstry is currently listed as the co-backup at the other corner spot, behind Jalyn Armour-Davis. We saw the talented freshman flash during Alabama’s spring game. McKinstry has elite ball skills and could push Armour-Davis for playing time as the season progresses.

S Andrew Mukuba, Clemson

On300 ranking: No. 43
Clemson returns several defensive backs who have played in big games. Still, Mukuba may have the most pure cover ability of the Tigers’ safeties. He’s versatile enough to play virtually any position in Brent Venables’ secondary. We could see Mukuba line up at safety, nickel or outside corner. Combine that versatility with his advanced instincts and toughness, and there’s a good chance we see the true freshman on the field.

CB Kalen King, Penn State

On300 ranking: No. 100
King drew rave reviews after enrolling in the spring, with coach James Franklin saying he is “probably the most advanced freshman that we’ve had since we’ve been here.” King, from Detroit Cass Tech, is a quick, loose mover and technically sound in his backpedal. King combines that polish with high-end instincts and ball skills to make for an advanced freshman.

CB Duce Chestnut, Syracuse

On300 ranking: NR
Chestnut enters the season listed as a starter. The New Jersey native has impressed with his toughness and willingness to compete. Chestnut has made a number of plays on the ball in coverage over the course of camp.

RET Caleb McDowell, South Carolina

On300 ranking: Non 300 four-star (90 grade)
The south Georgia product has been a notable standout during the Gamecocks’ camp. McDowell has made a number of flash plays and has shown the ability to take it to the house from anywhere on the field. This is carrying over from a strong senior season in high school. South Carolina is deep at running back but paper thin at receiver, so we should see the Gamecocks’ staff look to get McDowell the ball in a variety of ways.