Spotlight on College Football’s Top Freshmen Midseason

Miami, FL — As the college football season reaches its halfway point, a Freshman All-America team has been announced, highlighting the impact of true freshmen and redshirt freshmen in the 2025 season.

This year’s selections feature players from various conferences, showcasing significant talent despite the controversies surrounding the transfer portal. The team includes standout performers from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Big Ten, Southeastern Conference (SEC), and other leagues, with several players rated as three-star recruits or lower.

Leading the quarterback position is CJ Carr from Notre Dame. The Michigan native has thrown for over 1,300 yards this season, ranking first among freshmen QBs. He has made 13 touchdown passes, demonstrating significant growth amid challenging competition.

Ohio State‘s Bo Jackson has emerged as an explosive running back, accruing 407 rushing yards and averaging 5.26 yards per carry after contact. His contributions include six receptions, displaying his versatility on the field.

Duke‘s Nate Sheppard stands out as the top first-year rusher with 447 rushing yards. His performances include an impressive run average and multiple explosive plays, making him a key asset for the Blue Devils.

Miami’s Malachi Toney, a wide receiver, is making waves as well. Toney contributes significantly to the Hurricanes’ offense, leading the team with 29 catches and 375 receiving yards while scoring three touchdowns.

The defense also boasts strong talent. Florida State‘s Mandrell Desir, a freshman defensive lineman, leads his position with 11 quarterback pressures, while Maryland‘s Zahir Mathis tallies an impressive six tackles for loss.

On special teams, Tulane‘s Patrick Durkin has stood out as well, maintaining an unbeaten record in field goals while also achieving a strong kickoff average.

As teams prepare for the second half of the season, these young athletes will continue to be crucial in determining their teams’ fortunes in the national rankings.