College football freshman All-America team

Earlier this week, we presented our list of first-team All-Americans that was made up of mostly upperclassmen, but there were quite a few impressive freshmen this season, too. We expected some of the guys on this list to make an early impact on college football when we ranked them high among the 2018 recruiting class, but others -- such as Purdue wide receiver Rondale Moore, who was ranked No. 282 in the ESPN 300 -- were a complete surprise.

OFFENSE

QB: Trevor Lawrence, Clemson

ESPN 300 rank: No. 2 overall, No. 1 pocket passer.
The former five-star prospect won the starting job by Clemson's fifth game and has played very well, helping guide a talented Tigers team to another ACC title and playoff appearance. Lawrence completed 65 percent of his passes, throwing for more than 2,600 yards with 24 touchdown passes and just four interceptions. He garnered ACC Rookie of the Week honors five times and was named conference Offensive Rookie of the Year.

RB: Pooka Williams Jr., Kansas

ESPN 300 rank: not ranked; four-star, No. 26 running back.
The Louisiana product quickly became the most productive offensive contributor for the Jayhawks. He rushed for a team-high 1,125 yards, averaging seven yards per carry. He also tallied 33 receptions, second on the team, and finished with nine combined TDs. Showing his versatility, he also returned kicks and threw a touchdown pass. Williams was named Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year as well as first team All-Big 12. However, after he was arrested last week on suspicion of domestic battery, Williams was suspended by new Jayhawks coach Les Miles.

RB: Jermar Jefferson, Oregon State

ESPN 300 rank: not ranked; three-star, No. 49 running back.
A bright spot for a struggling Beavers squad was Jefferson, who quickly had an impact on their ground game. The Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, Jefferson ran for over 1,300 yards, setting the program's single-season rushing record by a true freshman. He is also in the top 10 nationally and first among freshman in rushing yards.

WR: Rondale Moore, Purdue

ESPN 300 rank: No. 282 overall, No. 45 wide receiver.
The dynamic wide receiver and return man was a key playmaker for the Boilermakers. He leads the nation with 103 receptions and is top-five nationally in all-purpose yards. For his outstanding play, Moore not only was named Freshman of the Year in the Big Ten, but also was named Receiver of the Year and earned first-team All-Big Ten honors. He also received national recognition, winning the Paul Hornung Award as the most versatile player in college football.

WR: Jaylen Waddle, Alabama

ESPN 300 rank: No. 77 overall, No. 12 wide receiver.
Playing for the No. 1 team in the country, Waddle managed to shine despite being just a freshman. He became a key contributor on both offense and special teams. The SEC Freshman of the Year, he has caught 41 passes and is second on the team with 803 receiving yards. He also averaged 15.1 yards per punt return, second the SEC -- and led all SEC freshman in scoring.

TE: Pat Freiermuth, Penn State

ESPN 300 rank: No. 289 overall, No. 8 tight end-Y.
The young tight end proved to be a valuable contributor as both a big receiving target and as a blocker for the Nittany Lions. He is second on the team with 24 receptions and has a team-high seven touchdown catches.

OL: Cade Mays, Georgia

ESPN 300 rank: No. 25, No. 3 tackle.
Mays was initially thrust into the starting lineup for the Bulldogs because of an injury and became a valuable contributor to a unit that is a finalist for the Joe Moore Award, given to the nation's top offensive line. Mays would also end up dealing with an injury, but prior to that started seven games at left tackle and right guard before being replaced at guard by another true freshman, Trey Hill. Mays was named to the Freshman All-SEC team.

OL: Dylan Wonnum, South Carolina

ESPN 300 rank: No. 117, No. 9 tackle.
Moving into the starting lineup the second half the season, Wonnum wasted little time making his presence felt. He earned SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week after his first start and was the first true freshman since 2011 to start on the line for the Gamecocks. Starting the final six games at right tackle, he was named to the Freshman All-SEC team.

OL: Donovan Laie, Arizona

ESPN 300 rank: not ranked; three-star, No. 90 guard.
A starter all season for the Wildcats, Laie was not only able to immediately contribute but also displayed valuable versatility. He made multiple starts at both left and right tackle.

OL: Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech

ESPN 300 rank: not ranked; two-star.
Darrisaw wasn't a highly touted prospect, but Virginia Tech saw promise and upside in the big man and he quickly rewarded the belief in him. He has exceeded expectations, becoming one of only nine FBS true freshmen to start on the offensive line in Week 1. He has since started all but one game at left tackle for the Hokies.

OL: Christaphany Murray, UCLA

ESPN 300 rank: not ranked; four-star, No. 22 guard.
It was a disappointing season on the field for the Bruins, but Murray was among the true freshman who showed promise. He started out at center to address an early-season need before settling in as a starter at guard.

DEFENSE

DL: Ronnie Perkins, Oklahoma

ESPN 300 rank: No. 81, No. 9 defensive end.
A key contributor defensively for the playoff-bound Sooners, Perkins leads the team in sacks. The freshman starter has also notched 35 tackles and eight tackles for loss.

DL: Xavier Thomas, Clemson

ESPN 300 rank: No. 4, No. 2 defensive end.
Playing on a defensive line loaded with future first-round NFL talent, it is not surprising that Thomas didn't log a start, but the explosive five-star did make the most of his opportunities. He has tallied 38 tackles, three sacks and is still among the team leaders in TFL.

DL: Dante Stills, West Virginia

ESPN 300 rank: No. 187, No. 21 DE.
Staying home and playing for Mountaineers, Stills has shown why he was a crucial in-state keep for the program. He has 5.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles.

DL: Jordan Davis, Georgia

ESPN 300 rank: not ranked; four-star, No. 33 defensive tackle.
A part of the No. 1 recruiting class, Davis helped fill a need for the Bulldogs along the defensive line. His stats might not be eye-popping, but over the second half of the season, Davis stepped in to help the Bulldogs' run defense and was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team for his efforts.

LB: Merlin Robertson, Arizona State

ESPN 300 rank: No. 179, No. 5 inside linebacker.
Coming out of a high school program that has produced many college playmakers, Robertson showed he can continue that tradition. He leads the Sun Devils defense in multiple categories, including tackles and sacks, and was named Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year.

LB: Mike Rose, Iowa State

ESPN 300 rank: not ranked; three-star, No. 59 outside linebacker.
A signee out of Ohio, Rose has been a key contributor for the Cyclones' defense. The first true freshman defender to start a season opener for Iowa State in more than a decade, he has been a starter all season, is among the team leaders in tackles and also has nine tackles for loss.

LB: Micah Parsons, Penn State

ESPN 300 rank: No. 7, No. 4 defensive end.
Parsons has lived up to his five-star billing for the Nittany Lions. The true freshman leads the team in tackles with 69 while also notching four tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

DB: Caden Sterns, Texas

ESPN 300 rank: No. 39, No. 3 safety.
A starter all season in the Longhorns' secondary, Sterns has had an excellent freshman campaign. An All-Big 12 selection and the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year, he was among the team leaders in tackles and led with four interceptions, which tied him for the most by a true freshman in program history. He also contributed on special teams, including blocking a field goal.

DB: Patrick Surtain II, Alabama

ESPN 300 rank: No. 5, No. 1 cornerback.
The five-star stepped into a starting role early in the season and helped strengthen a unit that suffered multiple departures after last season. He has 33 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble and six pass breakups. He was also named to the SEC All-Freshman Team.

DB: Andre Cisco, Syracuse

ESPN 300 rank: not ranked; three-star, No. 52 safety.
Cisco exceeded expectations and turned in an excellent season for the bowl-bound Orange. He is among the national leaders in interceptions, with seven, and has 51 tackles. He was named ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year and a Walter Camp All-American.

DB: Aashari Crosswell, Arizona State

ESPN 300 rank: No. 111, No. 6 safety.
Another big signing for the Sun Devils out of California, the four-star leads the team in pass breakups with nine and interceptions with three. He has 39 tackles and earned a Pac-12 honorable mention.

DB: Jaiden Woodbey, Florida State

ESPN 300 rank: No. 70, No. 4 safety.
During a disappointing season for the Seminoles, Woodbey was a bright spot as they look toward the future. Earning freshman of the year honors for his team, he finished among the leaders in tackles while also notching 4.5 TFL and a forced fumble.

SPECIAL TEAMS

K: Seth Small, Texas A&M

ESPN 300 rank: not ranked; three-star, No. 3 kicker.
Stepping in after an injury sidelined the Aggies' returning kicker, Small proved up to the challenge. He was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team, finishing the regular season 19-of-26 on FG attempts, hitting two from beyond 50.