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College football true freshman All-America team

College football fans were spoiled last season with the unbelievable freshman performance by quarterback Trevor Lawrence at Clemson. The 2019 class has some big shoes to fill, but there are plenty of opportunities for the first-year players to make marks of their own.

To give you a look at the true freshmen who have the opportunity and talent to produce excellent seasons, Tom Luginbill and Tom VanHaaren put together their preseason freshman All-American lists.

OFFENSE

Quarterback

Tom Luginbill: Jayden Daniels, Arizona State
The 2019 Under Armour All-America Game standout turned heads in the spring as an early enrollee and was named the starter for the Sun Devils. Daniels, the No. 44 prospect in the 2019 class, will become the first true freshman quarterback to start a season opener at Arizona State.

Tom VanHaaren: Bo Nix, Auburn
This one was tough because Daniels is one of only two freshmen who has been named a starter, alongside UNC's Sam Howell. Nix is in a battle with Joey Gatewood and could end up second on the depth chart. But his ability as a passer might see him overtake Gatewood, and with Gus Malzahn calling the plays this season, Nix could flourish once he has the opportunity.


Running back

Luginbill: Zach Charbonnet, Michigan
Charbonnet quickly worked his way into the conversation for the Wolverines at running back in August after sitting out last spring while recovering from an injury. The 6-foot-2 220-pounder has earned repeated praise from Jim Harbaugh and is expected to split the workload this season with Christian Turner and Tru Wilson.

VanHaaren: John Emery, LSU
Emery was the No. 1 running back in the class and flipped to LSU from Georgia. At 6-foot, 203 pounds, Emery is exactly who you'd picture as an LSU running back. According to people close to the program, Emery will have every opportunity to shine this season in the Tigers' offense and become a star.


Wide receiver

Luginbill: George Pickens, Georgia
The No. 54 recruit and Under Armour All-America Game star has turned heads since he arrived in August by making tough catches in traffic look routine. Not only will Pickens have a key role as a freshman, but he could also quickly develop into Jake Fromm's go-to receiver.

VanHaaren: Garrett Wilson, Ohio State
Wilson has the chance to build chemistry right away with new QB Justin Fields. When Urban Meyer was set to announce his retirement, Wilson was one of the recruits Meyer called before the decision was made public to ensure that he was still comfortable with Ohio State. That should tell you how highly this staff thinks of Wilson and what he can bring to the offense.


Wide receiver

Luginbill: Treylon Burks, Arkansas
Burks didn't receive the hype of some others in the 2019 class, but the No. 82 prospect has been very impressive since arriving at Arkansas. Expect Burks to have a big role for a program in need of playmakers looking to rebound from a 2-10 debut season under Chad Morris.

VanHaaren: Drake London, USC
By all reports and accounts from people around USC, London has been a star in camp so far. His name has been mentioned quite a bit as someone who could help boost the offense along with fellow freshman receiver Munir McClain.


Wide receiver

Luginbill: Joe Ngata, Clemson
While the Tigers have talented established receivers in Justyn Ross and Tee Higgins returning, Ngata has pushed more experienced receivers quickly since enrolling. With Amari Rogers recovering from spring ACL surgery and not expected back until September at the earliest, Ngata could start early in the season. His ability to play on the outside or in the slot makes him an easy choice for this list.

VanHaaren: Ngata


Tight end

Luginbill: Jaelyn Lay, Clemson
The four-star prospect had a solid spring after enrolling early and will be a factor in the passing game for the Tigers this season. With Trevor Lawrence taking snaps and an otherworldly group of receivers, the tight end position will receive plenty of opportunities to work against one-on-one coverage, and Lay has the athletic ability to stretch the field and make contested catches.

VanHaaren: Niko Hea, Missouri
Baylor Cupp at Texas A&M would have been the pick here, but his injury prevents him from being listed. I like Tom's pick with Lay, but Hea has an opportunity to shine at Missouri. The Tigers have dealt with injuries at the position, giving Hea a chance to gain reps, and he has stepped in and impressed the coaching staff.


Offensive line

Luginbill: Wanya Morris, Tennessee
The nation's No. 9 prospect in the 2019 class impressed in the spring and is the likely starter at left tackle for the Volunteers. Having the inside track on protecting Jarrett Guarantano's backside from game one as a true freshman is telling of the 6-foot-5 315-pounder's ability.

VanHaaren: Morris


Offensive line

Luginbill: Darnell Wright, Tennessee
The five-star prospect has been locked in a battle with redshirt junior Marcus Tatum for the starting right tackle job in Knoxville. Whether Wright is the starter to open the season or not, the 6-foot-6 330-pounder is expected to have an impact this season and eventually take over the position.

VanHaaren: Wright


Offensive line

Luginbill: Sean Rhyan, UCLA
Rhyan was in a battle with Alec Anderson for the starting left tackle spot, but a recent knee injury and surgery for Anderson mean the No. 134 prospect will immediately step into a starting role protecting the blind side of Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

VanHaaren: Rhyan


Offensive line

Luginbill: Doug Nester, Virginia Tech
The highest ranked prospect in the Hokies' 2019 class has not disappointed since arriving in Blacksburg. The No. 72 prospect is in a battle to start at a guard spot and is a near lock to be in the rotation if not a starter by the first game.

VanHaaren: Kenyon Green, Texas A&M
Jimbo Fisher has been very complimentary of Green and his abilities. Green was the No. 1-ranked prospect in the state of Texas and was a big priority for the staff for a reason. He has the size and talent to fill some kind of role along the line, whether it's on the interior or at tackle.


Offensive line

Luginbill: Dontae Lucas, Florida State
The prize of the Seminoles' 2019 class of offensive linemen has been a difference-maker in the run game early in Tallahassee. The 6-foot-4, 335-pound road grater is in line to start at right guard at some point this season, if not from the opener. Lucas has the ability to open holes for Cam Akers in the veer-and-shoot offense under the direction of new offensive coordinator Kendall Briles.

VanHaaren: Lucas


All-purpose

Luginbill: Jerrion Ealy, Ole Miss
Ealy will line up at running back and in the slot and will be a factor in the return game for the Rebels. The No. 19 prospect showed his elite quickness during the Under Armour All-America Game and has done the same in Oxford.

VanHaaren: Wan'dale Robinson, Nebraska
Scott Frost's offense got off to a slow start in 2018, but quarterback Adrian Martinez caught on in the second half of the season and showed what the offense could look like for the Huskers. The team needs a few more playmakers, and Robinson is someone who could take off. He's technically listed as a receiver on Nebraska's roster, but he is expected to make an impact in both the run game and the passing game. Robinson is electric, and combined with Martinez, he could be a big threat for opposing defenses.


DEFENSE

Defensive end

Luginbill: George Karlaftis, Purdue
Karlaftis quickly became one of the Boilermakers' top defenders in the spring, and that has carried over to August practices, with a starting role in clear sight. The freshman brings a blend of strength at the point of attack and the quickness to be a pass-rushing threat from day one.

VanHaaren: Karlaftis


Defensive tackle

Luginbill: Jowon Briggs, Virginia
When the Cavaliers signed the No. 75 prospect in the 2019 class, it was considered a massive recruiting victory. Since Briggs arrived in June, the lofty expectations have only grown, and he is already running with the starters on the defensive line. The 6-foot-1 295-pounder doesn't turn 18 until after the season opener.

VanHaaren: D.J. Dale, Alabama
Dale was somewhat of a surprise as an early standout for Alabama along the interior, filling a hole left by Quinnen Williams. He has been injured, but it doesn't seem to be serious enough to hinder him throughout the season. If Dale can pick up where he left off before his injury, Nick Saban could have another superstar defensive lineman.


Defensive tackle

Luginbill: Tyler Davis, Clemson
The No. 58 prospect in last year's class has made his presence known at Clemson since enrolling in January. After a solid spring, Davis is battling for a starting spot at defensive tackle. The 6-foot-1 300-pounder will be a run-stuffer and interior disrupter for the next three seasons for the defending national champions.

VanHaaren: Siaki "Apu" Ika, LSU
The Tigers have produced some outstanding defensive linemen, and the coaching staff has been excited about Ika's potential. He enrolled early and has been moving up the depth chart since he arrived on campus. He should be a big part of LSU's defense this season and has a chance to play his way into a starting role.


Defensive end

Luginbill: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon
The nation's No.1 recruit in the 2019 class is in a battle with senior Gus Cumberland for a starting spot in Eugene. Whether the 6-foot-5 245-pounder starts or not, he will play a starter number of snaps and bring impactful edge-rush ability to the Ducks this season. Thibodeaux will be in an Oregon uniform for three years, and Mari Cristobal and staff will make the most of his time.

VanHaaren: Thibodeaux


Linebacker

Luginbill: Nakobe Dean, Georgia
The 2019 Under Armour All-America Game standout has been a hit in Athens since he enrolled for spring practice. Instinctive and quick with power on contact, Dean will log starter snaps this season and is expected to appear on freshmen All-America teams following the season.

VanHaaren: Dean


Linebacker

Luginbill: Owen Pappoe, Auburn
The Tigers play only two linebackers for the most part, but the former five-star recruit will be difficult to keep off the field, even with experience returning. Even if Pappoe doesn't start, he's expected to receive more and more snaps as the season moves along, and he will bring a different speed and playmaking to the position in Auburn.

VanHaaren: Pappoe


Linebacker

Luginbill: Mase Funa, Oregon
The 6-foot-2, 260-pound outside linebacker has turned heads in Eugene since arriving and is going to be on the field a lot this season. The four-star prospect has already shown the ability to hold up against the run and be a viable pass-rusher off the edge, a point of emphasis for Oregon in 2019.

VanHaaren: Henry To'oto'o, Tennessee
The Tennessee coaches worked hard to get To'oto'o all the way from California, and it paid off. He has some of the staff talking already, and at 6-foot-2, 232 pounds, he could be a big part of the defense by season's end.


Cornerback

Luginbill: Derek Stingley Jr., LSU
The No. 18-ranked prospect in last year's class is expected to start at cornerback for the Tigers and have an impact in the return game. Stingley will be tested Sept. 7 on the road at Texas, and a solid showing will instantly place the Pelican State standout on the short list for freshmen All-America teams after the season.

VanHaaren: Stingley Jr.


Safety

Luginbill: Demani Richardson, Texas A&M
The four-star safety is set to be an impact player for Mike Elko's defense in College Station. At 210 pounds, Richardson is physically ready for the rigors of a college football season and is a perfect fit in Elko's scheme.

VanHaaren: Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame
The Notre Dame staff was excited about Hamilton's commitment, and that feeling has continued since he arrived on campus. The fact that Hamilton is on this list with Alohi Gilman and Jalen Elliott in the safety spots for Notre Dame should say a lot about his talent and what people around Notre Dame think of him.


Safety

Luginbill: Daxton Hill, Michigan
While the Wolverines return talented safeties in Josh Metellus and Brad Hawkins, the No. 13-ranked prospect overall in 2019 has been impressive since practice began in August. Although there remains competition in front of Hill to lock down a starting spot, the rangy playmaker will be on the field early and often in Ann Arbor.

VanHaaren: Hill


Cornerback

Luginbill: Andrew Booth, Clemson
Booth has received constant praise from Dabo Swinney and the defensive staff since practice began in Clemson. His combination of height, length, quickness and toughness will get him on the field plenty in 2019, and he could emerge from a talented group of corners for the defending national champions by midseason.

VanHaaren: Mykael Wright, Oregon
Wright was the No. 2-ranked cornerback out of high school and the No. 2-ranked prospect in California behind top overall recruit Kayvon Thibodeaux. Wright has good size at 5-foot-11, 185 pounds and has been rising up the depth chart in practice and camp for the Ducks. He might not start at the beginning of the season, but if his trajectory stays the way it is now, he should make a huge impact.