2025 Way-Too-Early College Football All-American Team

April 17, 2025

RotoBaller constructs a way-too-early 2025 All-American college football team. From Ohio State stars Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs to South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers, see who makes the cut.

With most of spring practices in the rear-view mirror, it's officially time to get excited about 2025 college football, and let's talk elite players.

The defending champion Ohio State Buckeyes lost a lot from their title-run roster but stars Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs are back in the fold for 2025 and consequently find themselves on this star-studded way-too-early All-American team. 

Who joins these two Buckeyes as the perceived best at their position heading into the upcoming college football season? Let’s dive in.

2025 College Football All-American Offense

Quarterback - LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina

There are more experienced signal-callers returning, such as Drew Allar and Cade Klubnik, along with high-ceiling guys like Arch Manning and DJ Lagway, but I went with South Carolina’s phenom quarterback on my way-too-early All-American team.

58 air yards, effortless throw that hits receiver in stride, dropped😔 pic.twitter.com/sqSPZZvMtg

— CFBNumbers (@CFBNumbers) April 2, 2025

LaNorris Sellers is an elite athlete with a big arm and has the intangibles to work his way to the top of draft boards in 2026. He had a stellar redshirt freshman season in which he threw for 2,534 yards, 18 touchdowns, and seven interceptions along with 674 rushing yards and seven scores. If Sellers can take another step forward in his second year as a starter, he will find himself atop the sport’s quarterback hierarchy.

Running Back - Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

Notre Dame’s young running back was among the sport’s best as a true sophomore, as he ran for 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns. Jeremiyah Love is the best returning running back in college football and should be the first one off the board in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Running Back - Nicholas Singleton, Penn State

Nicholas Singleton made the shocking decision to return to school alongside fellow running back Kaytron Allen, and the two instantly form college football’s best backfield duo heading into the season.  Singleton has an elite burst and is a weapon in the passing game. After rushing for over 1,000 yards in two of his three seasons, the incoming senior will look to put together the strongest statistical season of his career.

Wide Receiver - Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State

He was just a freshman. Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith was the best receiver in college football, yet he is going to be in college football for two more seasons. The 6-foot-3 receiver grabbed 76 balls for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns in his debut season and will only look to shatter more Ohio State records over the next two years. He is the unquestioned best receiver in the game.

JEREMIAH SMITH DOWN THERE SOMEWHERE
pic.twitter.com/GVtQqoDKdz

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) January 21, 2025

Wide Receiver - Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

Missing Jordyn Tyson due to an upper-body injury in the Peach Bowl hurt the Sun Devils, but their breakout receiver is back for 2025. Tyson was the pulse of Arizona State’s passing game and with Cam Skattebo headed to the NFL, he will need to take even more of the offensive workload in the upcoming season. Tyson recorded 75 catches for 1,101 yards and 10 scores as a sophomore and will look to keep rolling in what could be his final year at the college level.

Tight End - Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt got a huge boost when tight end Eli Stowers announced his return for the 2025 season, joining quarterback Diego Pavia. Stowers was a quarterback coming out of high school and 2024 was his first full season playing tight end. He is a gifted athlete, as he led the team in all receiving metrics with 49 receptions for 638 yards and five touchdowns. Another full season at the position will only benefit him long-term.

Run it back…#teamjesus pic.twitter.com/FxycGvyIuc

— Eli Stowers (@eli_stowers3) January 9, 2025

Offensive Tackle - Francis Mauigoa, Miami

Miami’s Francis Mauigoa was the top tackle prospect in the class of 2023. A physical specimen at 6-foot-6, 315 pounds, Mauigoa earned second-team All-ACC honors in 2024. He is regarded as a top selection looking ahead at the 2026 NFL Draft due to his unique athleticism for his size, and he will look to put that on display in 2025.

Offensive Guard - Ar'maj Reed-Adams, Texas A&M

Ar’maj Reed-Adams wrapped up his first season at Texas A&M as the second-highest-graded guard in the Power Four. The former Kansas lineman is one of the best run blockers in the nation and should once again find himself at the top of many lists after electing to return for 2025.

Ar’maj Reed-Adams is the BEST Returning Guard in the Country🔥

💪 93rd Ranked Player on the 2024 PFF College 101 pic.twitter.com/ztQxxj9KZK

— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 3, 2025

Center - Jake Slaughter, Florida

DJ Lagway’s offensive line is anchored by a true animal. Jake Slaughter was impressive both as a pass and run blocker against NFL talent all season long. The return of the 6-foot-5, 308-pounder is the most underrated SEC storyline heading into the upcoming season.

Offensive Guard - Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

Vega Ioane has experience playing on both the inside and outside of the offensive line but is best suited to play guard. He was an integral part of Penn State’s success in the run game in 2024, and with most of the unit back for next season, more of the same should be expected in 2025.

Offensive Tackle - Spencer Fano, Utah

Utah may have had a down year in 2024, but Spencer Fano was as bright of a spot as they come. Graded as PFF’s highest-graded Power Four offensive lineman as just a true sophomore, Fano is a surefire first-rounder in 2026. While graded best as a run blocker, he also allowed just one sack in 2024 (Week 1).

I love the nastiness. Spencer Fano is a beast #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/oMueWS8iNJ

— WrigleyvilleUte (@jhallito) September 1, 2023

2025 College Football All-American Defense

Defensive End - Dylan Stewart, South Carolina

With stalwarts such as Kyle Kennard and T.J. Sanders headed to the NFL, Dylan Stewart will become the main focus of the Gamecocks defensive line. As a true freshman, Stewart recorded 6.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. At 6-foot-6, 248 pounds, he will be one of the premier players in the game as a sophomore.

South Carolina True Freshman Dylan Stewart vs Texas A&M:

🔴 1.0 Sacks
🔴 9 QB Pressures
🔴 90.0 Pass Rush Grade
🔴 34% Win Rate@GamecockFB pic.twitter.com/crF0ZgRQny

— PFF College (@PFF_College) November 3, 2024

Defensive Tackle - Peter Woods, Clemson

Projected as a high 2026 NFL Draft pick, incoming junior Peter Woods will again be an anchor on the Clemson defensive line. With versatility to play both inside and outside, Woods recorded three sacks and a forced fumble as a true sophomore.

Defensive Tackle - Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati

With 9.5 career sacks and three forced fumbles, Dontay Corleone has been a force on Cincinnati’s defense since his true freshman season. His return as a senior is a huge get for a program that has struggled since joining the Big 12 in 2023 and a big senior season will be needed out of the star defender.

Defensive End - Colin Simmons, Texas

As a true freshman, Colin Simmons was a level of game-wrecker that college football has not seen since Chase Young’s Heisman finalist season. Simmons stuffed the stat sheet with nine sacks, three forced fumbles, and an interception. The young star will become a household name as a sophomore and should be the most recognizable face on a loaded Texas defense.

Linebacker - Anthony Hill Jr., Texas

Speaking of the loaded Texas defense, the Longhorns’ leading tackler from a season ago is also back in the mix for 2025. Anthony Hill Jr. totaled 113 tackles with eight sacks, four forced fumbles, and an interception in his true sophomore season and will be one of many veteran leaders on this defense next season.

Linebacker - Suntarine Perkins, Ole Miss

Suntarine Perkins lit up box scores as a true sophomore, totaling 10.5 sacks and an interception. His versatility and explosiveness make him one of the most unique, valuable players in college football heading into 2025. Perkins will be a first-round pick in 2026 after another stellar season in 2025.

Suntarine Perkins with the 3rd down stop 🦈@suntarine | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/9l3P2FP4V9

— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) October 5, 2024

Linebacker - Austin Romaine, Kansas State

One of the more underrated linebackers in the country, Kansas State’s Austin Romaine had a great sophomore season in which he had 96 total tackles, two sacks, and three forced fumbles. Romaine’s strongest area of performance is against the run, where he was graded as the fourth-best run defender in the nation, per PFF, along with being graded as the highest linebacker in the Power Four. Expect him to be among the nation’s best but most unheralded players heading into 2025.

Highest @PFF Graded P4 LB in 2024 @AustinRomaine2 ✍️

Ready for 2025 📈 pic.twitter.com/ApnFoWBt5b

— Curran Sports & Entertainment (@CurranMediaCo) February 4, 2025

Cornerback - Leonard Moore, Notre Dame

Coming into college as a three-star recruit, Leonard Moore crushed his freshman season when filling in for an injured Benjamin Morrison. He finished the season as PFF’s third-most-valuable cornerback, behind only two probable first-round picks in Travis Hunter and Jahdae Barron. He tallied two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and 11 pass breakups as a true freshman and should be the best cornerback in college football next season.

Cornerback - D'Angelo Ponds, Indiana

Despite his small stature (5-foot-9, 170 pounds), D’Angelo Ponds proved that he could make the jump to Power Four football after following Curt Cignetti from James Madison to Indiana. Ponds tallied three interceptions and a touchdown as a sophomore, grading top 20 in the nation in coverage, per PFF. He is the Big Ten’s premier shutdown corner entering 2025.

Safety - Caleb Downs, Ohio State

Caleb Downs is the most highly regarded defensive player in college football coming into 2025 after a stellar 2024 season in which he improved a ton from his freshman year at Alabama. He recorded 0.5 sacks, two interceptions, six pass deflections, and a punt return touchdown, but his impact is felt beyond the stat sheet.

He played a big part in shutting down premier players such as Penn State’s Tyler Warren, Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love, and Texas’ Matthew Golden, and he is nearly a surefire top-5 draft selection in 2026.

Safety - Dillon Thieneman, Oregon

Ever since his dominant true freshman season at Purdue in which he recorded six interceptions, Dillon Thieneman has been one of the game’s best safeties. Now, he will be thrust into more of a national spotlight while transferring from Purdue to Oregon. Expect Thieneman to be the cornerstone of the Ducks’ 2025 defense.

Specialists

Kicker - Dominic Zvada, Michigan

Dominic Zvada was an impressive 7-of-7 on 50+ yard field goals in 2024, drilling a long of 56 yards. He only missed one field goal all year. The former Arkansas State kicker is an NFL talent and will likely be drafted in 2026 due to his powerful and accurate leg.

Punter - Ryan Eckley, Michigan State

Ever since fully taking over punting duties for the Spartans in 2023, Ryan Eckley has been one of the best punters in college football. He averaged an absurd 47.9 yards per punt in 2024 and will almost surely be flipping fields at the next level.

Return Specialist - Barion Brown, LSU

The former Kentucky Wildcat is the active leader in kickoff return touchdowns with five, the most in SEC history. Not only is Barion Brown a threat to take one the distance every time the ball is kicked off, but he should factor into LSU’s passing game as well.

While his numbers have dwindled each season throughout his career at Kentucky, so has his quarterback play. Brown is an explosive player who will need touches schemed up for him.

BARION BROWN 100 YARD KICK RETURN TOUCHDOWN TO START THE SECOND HALF pic.twitter.com/XeMqYaqydJ

— Matthew (@HildenbrandMa) December 29, 2023

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