College football's midseason true freshman All-America team

Seven weeks into the 2021 college football campaign, all the preseason prognostications about the true freshmen who would make an impact are sorting themselves out.

Some predictions have come true, some surprises have broken through and others have not yet made an impact. Either way, there is sufficient evidence to give an update to the list of true freshman All-Americans to recognize the first-year players sticking out on their respective teams.

Here is a look at the midseason true freshmen on pace to make the final All-America list at the end of the season.

Quarterback

Tom Luginbill: Caleb Williams, Oklahoma

Williams makes the list after just two games, but what he did was enough for me. He can beat defenses with his arm or legs and has amazing leadership qualities. I see a big second half of football for Williams, as his dynamic skill set fits Lincoln Riley's scheme better than Spencer Rattler's.

Tom VanHaaren: Williams, Oklahoma

I agree that two games are enough to add Williams to the list. The fact that he was so poised against Texas, in a back-and-forth game, and led Oklahoma to a win was remarkable. He didn't look like a true freshman against TCU, either. If these two games are indicative of the rest of the season, Williams should be among the leaders at the position for the second half.

Running back

Luginbill: TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State

Henderson is special and is a top-three back regardless of class. He has a rare blend of speed and power, and he is learning how to pass protect. The former five-star prospect is averaging nearly nine yards per carry and has nine touchdowns this season.

VanHaaren: Henderson, Ohio State

We all had Henderson on our preseason lists as someone who would come in and make an impact right away, and he hasn't disappointed. He had 277 yards against Tulsa, which broke Archie Griffin's school record for rushing yards in a game by a freshman. After 102 yards and two touchdowns against Maryland, he ranks No. 25 in rushing yards among all FBS running backs.

Luginbill: Jarquez Hunter, Auburn

Hunter, a former three-star prospect, also is averaging close to nine yards a carry while sharing the load with Tank Bigsby. Hunter has explosive lower-body control with excellent burst and tackle-breaking power.

VanHaaren: Hunter, Auburn

Note: Not all duplicate selections will have profiles.

Wide receiver

Luginbill: Xavier Worthy, Texas

Steve Sarkisian has already found ways to move the explosive Worthy around to create matchup problems for defenses. He is tall, long, fast and equipped with excellent hands. Worthy is averaging almost 20 yards per catch.

VanHaaren: Worthy, Texas

Worthy was on my preseason list, partially because of the speed he displayed in high school and the opportunity he would have at Texas. The Oklahoma game revealed what he can do, and despite a few mistakes in that contest, Sarkisian kept going back to Worthy, who ended up with 261 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Luginbill: Mario Williams, Oklahoma

Williams has lived up to my preseason selection and projection, and his intangibles have played the biggest role in his early success. He is third on the team in receptions and is an effective underneath weapon, thanks to excellent awareness as a route runner and quickness after the catch.

VanHaaren: Williams, Oklahoma

Tight end

Luginbill: Brock Bowers, Georgia

Like Henderson, an argument could be made that Bowers is playing as good as anyone at his position in college football. Bowers emerged after injuries hit the position, and he is now Stetson Bennett's top big-play weapon. Bowers leads the No. 1-ranked Dawgs in catches, yards and receiving TDs.

VanHaaren: Bowers, Georgia

We didn't have Bowers on our preseason list -- not because he isn't talented, but the situation at Georgia at the time is much different than it is now. The Dawgs had taken in transfer Arik Gilbert and had Darnell Washington. Gilbert hasn't played, and Washington underwent surgery on his foot before the season started. Bowers has taken advantage of the opportunity and now has 416 yards and six touchdowns through the first seven games.

Offensive line

Luginbill: Bryce Foster, Texas A&M

Among the top interior line prospects in the 2021 class, it is not surprising to see Foster quickly establishing himself as a starter. He is physical as well as agile. Foster has started every game this season, and he took big step forward in the Aggies' win over Alabama.

VanHaaren: Foster, Texas A&M

Foster was thought of as a guard prospect, but he was moved to center, and he has been the starter for all seven games. He has adapted well, and his unique strength for someone his age has been apparent. Having someone such as Foster shore up the center position so early on is a huge benefit to the offensive line's future at Texas A&M.

Luginbill: Reuben Fatheree II, Texas A&M

Things were rocky in the trenches early on for the Aggies, but the future looks bright with two big men making this freshman All-America team. A towering and lengthy tackle that also played basketball in high school, Fatheree came to College Station with excellent physical tools, and he has worked his way into the starting lineup at right tackle.

VanHaaren: Fatheree, Texas A&M

Luginbill: Connor Colby, Iowa

Colby is just the sixth true freshman to start on the O-line in Kirk Ferentz era. An early enrollee, the tenacious and flexible blocker was aided by work in the spring. He hit the ground running this fall, cracking the two-deep, and he has since worked his way into the starting lineup at guard.

VanHaaren: Colby, Iowa

Luginbill: Marcus Tate, Clemson

Making the jump from high school to college comes with a learning curve. It hasn't been a flawless transition for Tate, but the game seems to be slowing down for him, and he is showing real improvement for a Clemson team that hasn't dominated in recent years.

VanHaaren: Tate, Clemson

Luginbill: Campbell Barrington, BYU

The former three-star recruit had no Power 5 offers when he signed with BYU last year, but he is holding his own for the Cougars. Barrington is showing flashes of great ability and improving each week in the trenches.

VanHaaren: Joe Alt, Notre Dame

Alt is part of a transformed Notre Dame offensive line that had its best performance against Virginia Tech. Putting him on this list is more of a prediction for what is ahead, rather than the cumulative of what he has already done. He came in as a tight end, and he has been molded into a left tackle who has filled in nicely as a freshman. He has a lot of potential and could move around along the line, if needed, once fellow freshman Blake Fisher is fully healed from a meniscus tear.

Defensive line

Luginbill: Collin Oliver, Oklahoma State

Oliver has made the most of his early opportunities. His first start was an impressive one, as he recorded five solo tackles (three for loss), two sacks and three hurries in a win over Baylor. In the Cowboys' victory over Texas, he notched another sack. He is becoming a strong contributor for an undefeated Oklahoma State.

VanHaaren: Oliver, Oklahoma State

Luginbill: Tyleik Williams, Ohio State

Williams emerging from that elite Buckeyes defensive line class is a bit of a surprise. Five-star J.T. Tuimoloau has shown impressive flashes, and it's possible to make the case for him here. But with 4.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and a forced fumble, Williams has been the most productive thus far.

VanHaaren: Williams, Ohio State

Luginbill: Maason Smith, LSU

Smith made a big splash early on with three sacks in an impressive performance against FCS McNeese State. Since then, he has not only continued to contribute but has worked his way into the starting lineup. He had a sack in the Tigers' big win over Florida.

VanHaaren: Smith, LSU

Smith was on my preseason list based on what I had heard out of fall camp and the way Smith had acclimated himself to the college game. People around LSU were raving about Smith, and there was a lot of confidence that he would have an impact this season. He has lived up to those expectations with 18 total tackles, four sacks and five tackles for loss in seven games this season.

Luginbill: Leonard Taylor, Miami

Taylor has made more of an impact than his modest stat lines would indicate. He has come on as of late and shown disruptive flashes for the Canes with his size and explosive quickness at 300 pounds. We project a big second half for the former five-star lineman.

VanHaaren: Taylor, Miami

Linebacker

Luginbill: Dallas Turner, Alabama

Nick Saban recruits five-stars for a reason: So he can plug and play them early. Injuries at the linebacker position has Turner gaining valuable playing experience. He hasn't been dominant, but he also doesn't look at out of place, particularly rushing the passer.

VanHaaren: Junior Colson, Michigan

Colson was the No. 144-ranked prospect in the 2021 class out of Brentwood, Tennessee. He was coming in to a veteran Michigan defense, but he has provided a lot of help at linebacker for the Wolverines. He is fifth on the team in total tackles (20) and has one pass breakup and a fumble recovery in six games. Colson has had at least one tackle in all but one game this season and is one of the young bright spots on defense for Michigan.

Luginbill: Demeioun Robinson, Maryland

Robinson has been very steady for Terps and has lived up to his billing as a top-five linebacker prospect. He is versatile but has shown the most ability as a pass-rusher.

VanHaaren: Branden Jennings, Maryland

Jennings has only played in four games this season because of an injury, but he deserves to be on the list. Despite missing two games, Jennings is still tied for fifth on the team in total tackles with 18. He has one tackle for loss and a forced fumble on the season. Prior to his injury, Jennings was one of Maryland's best defenders. If he can get back on the field, he could finish the season on the same track that he started.

Luginbill: Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma

The former three-star prospect has been a strong contributor for the Sooners despite an arm injury. Stutsman has shown strong instincts and good range in sideline-to-sideline production. He has 12 solo tackles on the year.

VanHaaren: Eric Gentry, Arizona State

Gentry had a huge stop in the game against UCLA, tackling Bruins quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson for a 2-yard loss on fourth-and-1 in the fourth quarter. Gentry has 19 total tackles on the season, good for ninth on the team. He also has three tackles for loss and a pass breakup.

Defensive back

Luginbill: Denzel Burke, Ohio State

As always, recruiting is not an exact science. Burke was not even the top-ranked cornerback prospect in Ohio State's class. He not only starts but leads Ohio State in pass breakups and is arguably one of the top freshman defenders in the country.

VanHaaren: Burke, Ohio State

I put Burke on my preseason list because there was some talk that he was catching on quickly and had a shot to make an impact. Ohio State has needed help in the secondary, and Burke has progressed each week, quickly turning into a reliable corner for the Buckeyes.

Luginbill: Devin Kirkwood, UCLA

Kirkwood came up with a critical interception inside the final five minutes of UCLA's win this past weekend over Washington. The tall and speedy corner burst onto the seen in the Bruins' upset victory over LSU and hasn't looked back.

VanHaaren: Tysheem Johnson, Ole Miss

Johnson was the No. 288 recruit out of Philadelphia, and he has played in six games for Ole Miss. He ranks sixth on the team with 32 total tackles, including 12 solo tackles. He has three tackles for loss, including one against Alabama.

Luginbill: Andrew Mukuba, Clemson

To play safety in defensive coordinator Brent Venables' defense, players must have a high understanding of football. Inserting a freshman is uncommon, and it hasn't happened in a season opener for the Tigers since 1973. The ultra-versatile Mukuba made his collegiate debut versus Georgia and posted eight tackles and a pass breakup.

VanHaaren: Mukuba, Clemson

Luginbill: Darian Chestnut, Syracuse

Chestnut has been spectacular for Cuse in the first half of the season. The former three-star prospect from New Jersey has 22 tackles, two interceptions and three pass breakups. What's not necessarily showing up in the stat line is his ability to shut down the opposing team's top target.

VanHaaren: Chestnut, Syracuse