Week 0 is here, which means college football’s return, and there’s no better time to highlight some of the sport’s top newcomers than with the 247Sports Preseason True Freshman All-America Team.
There are a variety of different ways to build a College Football Playoff contender these days. Even in the era of free agency, though, one thing remains increasingly clear: first-year players can still be real difference makers. Just ask Miami after the Hurricanes leaned heavily on Malachi Toney late last season or Ohio State, which won a national title the year prior thanks to the hands of Jeremiah Smith.
There is no exact science when it comes to assembling the 247Sports Preseason True Freshman All-America Team. However, after speaking with front offices around the country and circling back on our high school evaluations, these are the players we think will have the best chances to make an impact in the coming months.
Washington leads the way with three selections after the Huskies signed their highest-ranked recruiting class in program history. Right behind them with two honorees is USC, which finished with the No. 1 class, and the trio of Ohio State, Georgia and Miami.
OFFENSE
QB Faizon Brandon (Tennessee)
Rank: No. 3 QB, No. 3 overall (five-star)
Josh Heupel pushed all of his chips in two years ago and beat out plenty of schools for Faizon Brandon‘s commitment. Tennessee will now have its first true freshman starter at quarterback in 22 years.
Brandon missed a majority of his senior season due to a thumb injury but returned for the playoffs and led his school to its second-straight state title. He’s a methodical passer with the twitch and athleticism required to coordinate Heupel’s RPO-heavy attack.
Other quarterbacks to know: Jared Curtis (Vanderbilt), Keisean Henderson (Houston), Tait Reynolds (Clemson)
RB Savion Hiter (Michigan)
Rank: No. 2 RB, No. 21 overall (five-star)
Michigan welcomes back a near 1,000-yard rusher in Jordan Marshall, but the offense needs playmakers to help unlock quarterback Bryce Underwood and there might not be a bigger one on the roster than Savion Hiter.
Hiter is the total package with his vision, burst, agility, strength and balance. He was no match for defenses as a senior, averaging 13.1 yards per carry. Hiter might not be the starter, but all the feedback coming out of Ann Arbor, Michigan, suggests that he’s going to have a role.
Other running backs to know: Jamal Rule (Nebraska), Jonathan Hatton Jr. (Oklahoma), KJ Edwards (Texas A&M), Amante Martin (TCU), Ryan Estrada (Minnesota), EJ Crowell (Alabama), Jonaz Walton (Notre Dame), Amari Latimer (West Virginia), Damon Ferguson (Pittsburgh)
