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ESPN Analyst- Senior National Recruiting Analyst for ESPN.com
- Coached in four professional football leagues
- Graduated from Eastern Kentucky and Marshall
After four weeks of play, it's time to update the true freshmen All-America list, as we now have actual stats and experience to analyze.
We haven't seen the Trevor Lawrence-esque, stand out performance from a true freshman, but there have been some standouts this season. Here's a look at the top performers at each position for first-year players.
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 on Aug. 12. Daniels, the No. 44-ranked prospect overall in the 2019 class, has not disappointed, leading the Sun Devils to a 3-1 start to the season and throwing for 1,073 yards and five touchdowns with just one interception.
Tom VanHaaren: Hank Bachmeier, Boise State
The former ESPN 300 quarterback has helped lead his team to a 4-0 record and a No. 16 ranking in the AP Top 25. Bachmeier leads all true freshman quarterbacks with 1,190 passing yards through four weeks. He has six touchdowns through the air and is completing 64 percent of his passes.
Running back
Luginbill: Zach Charbonnet, Michigan
Charbonnet quickly worked his way into the Wolverines' running back conversation in August after sitting out last spring while recovering from an injury. The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder from Southern California became Jim Harbaugh's go-to back in the double-overtime win over Army, rushing for 100 yards and three touchdowns on 33 carries. Through three games, the downhill back has rushed for 196 yards and scored three times.
VanHaaren: Kenneth Walker III, Wake Forest
Walker leads all true freshmen running backs in rushing yards (310) in Wake's three games. He has led Wake in rushing all three games and has two touchdowns in his young career. One of those touchdowns came against Rice on a 96-yard run, which is the longest run for a score in program history.
Running back
Luginbill: Zonovan Knight, NC State
The three-star prospect has taken over the running back position for the wolfpack, earning his first star against West Virginia. The 6-foot, 197-pound runner leads the team with 269 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 47 carries, while rotating with Ricky Person Jr.
VanHaaren: Knight
Wide receiver
Luginbill: George Pickens, Georgia
The No. 54 prospect in the 2019 class and Under Armour All-America Game standout has turned heads since arriving in August, making tough catches in traffic look routine. Pickens has followed up on a strong preseason with nine receptions for 162 yards and a touchdown coming off the bench. Fellow freshman wide receiver Dominick Blaylock has also had his moments for the Bulldogs.
VanHaaren: Pickens
Wide receiver
Luginbill: Trey Knox, Arkansas
Knox didn't receive the fanfare of some others in the 2019 class, but the No. 271 prospect in the country has been very impressive since arriving at Arkansas. The 6-foot-5, 205-pounder has been a bright spot in another tough start to a season for Arkansas, hauling in 21 receptions for 299 yards and two touchdowns through four games. Fellow freshman receiver Treylon Burks has shown elite ability early on as well.
VanHaaren: Knox
Wide receiver
Luginbill: Dante Wright, Colorado State
The former three-star prospect out of the Sunshine State has been one of the top freshmen in the country. The 5-foot-10, 165-pound blazing quick playmaker has made 20 receptions for 347 yards, rushed seven times for 95 yards and returned seven punts for 46 yards through three games. Wright has five touchdowns and is averaging 122 all-purpose yards per game.
VanHaaren: Wan'Dale Robinson, Nebraska
Robinson has been a boost in both Nebraska's passing game and run game. He has 195 yards receiving and two touchdowns to go along with 119 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown through three games. He hasn't hit his full potential yet, but is seeing a lot of production early on.
Wide receiver
Luginbill: Jake Smith, Texas
The former Gatorade National Player of the Year has been a key role player for the Longhorns as a freshman, catching 13 passes for 150 yards and four touchdowns. The 6-foot, 200-pound wide receiver and punt return man has caught a touchdown in three straight games,
VanHaaren: Smith
Offensive line
Luginbill: Wanya Morris, Tennessee
The No. 9 overall prospect in the 2019 class impressed in the spring, and has started three of the Volunteers' first four games at left tackle. The 2019 Under Armour All-America Game standout has to continue to match the physicality required on the major college level, but has flashed his elite skill set and length.
VanHaaren: Morris
Offensive line
Luginbill: Sean Rhyan, UCLA
Ryhan was in a battle with Alec Anderson for the starting left tackle spot, but a knee injury and surgery on Aug. 13 meant the No. 134 prospect in the 2019 class will immediately step into a starting role protecting the blind side of Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Rhyan has started every game for the Bruins, and is one of the bright spots in a struggling program. Alec Anderson has now returned and is playing left guard, which says something about what the UCLA staff thinks about Rhyan.
VanHaaren: Rhyan
Offensive line
Luginbill: Kenyon Green, Texas A&M
Green became the starting right guard due to a combination of impressive preseason play and injury issues along the Aggies offensive line, but the former five-star prospect has latched on to his opportunity and played very well though four games. The 6-foot-4, 330-pound Under Armour All-America Game alum uses his guard body type and tackle wingspan to help move opponents in the run game.
VanHaaren: Green
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 was in a battle for the starting right guard spot headed into the season and has started the last two games since the Hokies' season-opening loss to Boston College. While Virginia Tech is struggling get over the hump on the field during the last season and a half, Nester is a bright spot the for program with high NFL draft pick potential.
VanHaaren: Nester
Offensive line
Luginbill: Evan Neal, Alabama
The Under Armour All-America Game alum has taken over the left guard position for the Crimson Tide, starting all four games. At 6-foot-7, 360-pounds, Neal has continued to showcase the natural strength, body quickness and flexibility that made him a five-star prospect, fourth overall in the 2019 class.
VanHaaren: Neal
DEFENSE
Defensive line
Luginbill: DJ Dale, NG, Alabama
The ESPN 300 defensive tackle enrolled at Alabama with less fanfare than many in the Crimson Tide's No. 1-ranked class, but quickly made his mark by earning a starting spot and helping fill the void after Quinnen Williams left for the NFL. Through four starts, the 6-foot-3, 308-pound powerful run stuffer has tallied eight tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack and one fumble recovery.
VanHaaren: Dale
Defensive line
Luginbill: Tyler Davis, Clemson
The No. 58 prospect in the 2019 class has made his presence known at Clemson since enrolling in January. After a solid spring, Davis won a starting spot at defensive tackle. The 6-foot-1, 300-pound run stuffer and interior disruptor has posted 11 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in four games for the defending national champions.
VanHaaren: Davis
Defensive line
Luginbill: George Karlaftis, Purdue
The top-100 prospect quickly became 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 1.
VanHaaren: Karlaftis
Defensive line
Luginbill: Jowon Briggs, Virginia
When the Cavaliers signed the No. 75 prospect in the class of 2019, it was considered a massive recruiting victory. Since arriving in June and through the first two weeks of August practice, the lofty expectations had only grown entering the season. Now through three games for the No. 18 Cavaliers, the Ohio native has posted eight tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss in three starts at nose tackle.
VanHaaren: Drake Jackson, USC
Jackson is starting to make more noise and earn even more recognition. It doesn't help that USC has had its issues and struggles, which have taken away from Jackson's performance. He already has two sacks, three pass breakups and 10 hurries so far this season. He was an important recruit for the Trojans in the 2019 class and is showing his ability already at defensive end.
Linebacker
Luginbill: Shane Lee, LB, Alabama
The Under Armour All-America Game alum has taken over the middle linebacker spot in Tuscaloosa, and has been a tackling machine through four games as he replaces Dylan Moses. Lee, 6-feet and a solidly put together 246 pounds, is second on the team in tackles tallying 24 stops, two tackles for loss, one sack and one fumble recovery in three starts.
VanHaaren: Lee
Linebacker
Luginbill: Owen Pappoe, Auburn
The Tigers only play two linebackers for the most part, but the former five-star recruit has been difficult to keep off the field even with experience returning. Pappoe has started the first four games for the ranked Tigers, positing 10 tackles, three quarterback hurries and one pass defended, showing the speed and ability to be effective in coverage, as well as attacking downhill.
VanHaaren: Pappoe
Linebacker
Luginbill: Henry To'oto'o, Tennessee
The former ESPN 300 prospect out of California has been a hit for the struggling Volunteers, posting 25 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery through four games. If the Tennessee program is going to ascend under Jeremy Pruitt, players such as the 6-foot-2, 232-pound To'o To'o, Wanya Morris and Darnell Wright are going to have to play at an All-SEC and All-American level in the next three years.
VanHaaren: To'oto'o
Safety
Luginbill: Demani Richardson, Texas A&M
The four-star safety emerged as a sound bet to be an impact player for Mike Elko's defense in College Station with a strong showing throughout August practices. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Richardson has started all four games for the Aggies, recording 15 tackles, including eight solo stops.
VanHaaren: Richardson
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. While there remains competition in front of Hill to lock down a starting spot, the rangy playmaker has been on the field early and often in Ann Arbor, and has embraced special teams as well.
VanHaaren: Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame
Hamilton has made a big impact already in the Irish defense and is on a positive trajectory. His size and athleticism made him a top-ranked recruit in high school, and it's already translating to the college level. Through the first two games of the season, Hamilton had six total tackles and an interception return for a touchdown.
Cornerback
Luginbill: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
The No. 18 prospect in last year's class quickly won a start at cornerback for the Tigers, and has delivered upon the lofty expectations. In four starts, Stingley has posted four pass breakups, four passes defensed and an interception, which included a strong showing against Texas receiver Collin Johnson in Austin. Stingley is also the starting punt returner for No. 4 LSU, averaging nearly 12 yards per return.
VanHaaren: Stingley
Cornerback
Luginbill: VanHaaren: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
Had the Under Armour All-America Game alum been a spring enrollee, he would have likely been a starter from Game 1. The 6-foot-2, 187-pound versatile defensive back signed with the Gators as a cornerback, but got his first start against Tennessee at safety. In four games, the No. 59-ranked prospect in the 2019 class has tallied four tackles and two interceptions.
VanHaaren: Elam
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicker
Luginbill: Cade York, LSU
York turned heads in the Under Armour All-America Game when he connected on a 59-yard field goal, and his strong right leg immediately took over kicking duties in Baton Rouge. York has been nothing short of sensational through four games, making all seven field goal attempts with a long of 48 yards.
VanHaaren: York