The college football season is right around the corner, which means numerous true freshmen are fighting to earn spots on the field. Transfers and upperclassmen are trying to hold the newcomers off, but every season, there are a number of first-year players who make instant impacts and earn starting jobs.
Last year, Cade Klubnik was able to supplant starter DJ Uiagalelei late in the season as Clemson's quarterback. E.J. Warner got a shot at Temple and Conner Weigman eventually took over at Texas A&M. While it is generally uncommon for offensive linemen to see the field early on, many did play, including two from LSU alone (Will Campbell and Emery Jones).
The list of players who contributed in their first season at the college level last year goes on, and it's safe to say a new group of freshmen will become playmakers for their respective teams this year.
Let's go position by position in selecting the preseason true freshman All-America team for the 2023 season, a list that is based on need, opportunity and talent level entering Week 1:
Quarterback
Dante Moore, UCLA
ESPN 300 ranking: No. 2
Moore has the best chance to make an impact of any freshman quarterback in the country, but it won't be handed to him. He is clearly the Bruins' most talented option, but what he possesses in physical attributes, he lacks in experience and age. He's going to have to beat out Ethan Garbers and Kent State transfer Collin Schlee, who comes in as a dual-threat upperclassman, but eventually, talent wins out and Moore will become the guy. With Ball State running back transfer Carson Steele and nine starters back on defense, Moore will have the help he needs to develop.
Next in line: Jackson Arnold, Oklahoma; Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee
Running back
Cedric Baxter, Texas
ESPN 300 ranking: No. 30
With the loss of first-round pick Bijan Robinson and Swiss Army knife Roschon Johnson, Baxter is arriving at the Forty Acres at the perfect time. He's a big power back who can carry a heavy load -- and he'll need to be. Baxter is the thunder to Keilan Robinson's lightning. Sophomores Jaydon Blue and Jonathon Brooks are in the mix as well, but Baxter is the lead back in this group. As with all freshman backs, it is important to track how well he protects the ball and contributes in pass protection.
Next in line: Dylan Edwards, Colorado; Justice Haynes, Alabama
Tight end
Duce Robinson, USC
ESPN 300 ranking: No. 40
Robinson adds a different dynamic to the Trojans' offense because he's positionless. He's not quite a "Y" tight end or a wide receiver, but more of a jack-of-all-trades utility player. At 6-foot-6, 235 pounds, he's a mismatch everywhere on the field -- especially on the inside and outside as a red zone jump-ball threat. Robinson has to develop as a blocker. He could become similar to former Oklahoma tight end Mark Andrews, whom USC coach Lincoln Riley had at Oklahoma.
Next in line: Luke Hasz, Arkansas; LSU's trio of Mac Markway, Jackson McGohan and Ka'Morreun Pimpton
Wide receiver
Zachariah Branch, USC
ESPN 300 ranking: No. 7
Not to get too far over my skis, but Branch might be the most talented skill player on USC's roster -- not only as a receiver, but also as a return man in the kicking game. He possesses rare speed and is a nightmare to defend in the open field. While the Trojans hit the portal nabbing former Arizona wide receiver Dorian Singer, I don't think any of their current crop of pass-catchers matches Branch's game-changing ability. Size is really his only shortcoming. He's like Tavon Austin, who at 5-8 was a dynamic playmaker at West Virginia.
Johntay Cook, Texas
ESPN 300 ranking: No. 26
While the Texas receiving corps is loaded, Cook is getting reps with the ones and twos (along with DeAndre Moore), and perhaps most importantly, he will likely be the Longhorns' top punt returner. Cook brings a lot of the same traits as established Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy. He's smooth, has some wiggle and is really good in space. Cook posted 20.4 mph max speed on film, so we know he can win foot races.
Mikey Matthews, Utah
ESPN 300 ranking: No. 292
When coach Kyle Whittingham compares a freshman to former Ute Britain Covey, you know he's going to be good. Matthews made it clear at the 2023 Under Armour All-America Game he's ready to make the jump. He then enrolled early and hauled in seven passes in Utah's spring game. Matthews is a gifted route runner and returner, and he is very mature. Don't be surprised if he becomes a go-to player by the end of the year.
Next in line: DeAndre Moore, Texas; Carnell Tate, Ohio State; Eugene Wilson III, Florida
Offensive line
Kadyn Proctor, G, Alabama
ESPN 300 ranking: No. 10
A former five-star recruit who is currently on the offensive line at Alabama told me Proctor is a "grown man." He's battling Elijah Pritchett and should play a lot along Alabama's two-deep even if he doesn't beat Pritchett out. Proctor is 6-foot-7 and 354 pounds of mountain movement.
Knijeah Harris, G, Florida
ESPN 300 ranking: No. 210
Harris rotated between the first and second teams because of injuries to other Gators throughout spring ball, but it's clear he's in the mix for considerable playing time this season. If you are a significant contributor on the offensive line as a freshman, you have a chance to be special as a sophomore. Expect to see Harris at either guard spot.
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
ESPN 300 ranking: No. 6
Projected to start the opener against Miami (Ohio), Mauigoa ended spring football taking first-team reps at right tackle. The five-star recruit, who is a mauler at the point of attack, could play four of the five spots along the offensive line and fulfills a huge need for the Hurricanes.
Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
ESPN 300 ranking: No. 237
Probably best defined as an immediate contributor, Fano impressed in spring football while rotating at tackle with the ones and twos. Fano needed to add weight and strength over the summer and maintaining those gains throughout the season is key. Fano was a prize pick-up for the Utes, signaling they are a true player on the recruiting front.
Chase Bisontis, OT, Texas A&M
ESPN 300 ranking: No. 62
Similar to Harris, Bisontis was thrust into action because of injuries and has a chance to take advantage of his opportunity. Despite originally projecting as an interior lineman, Bisontis rotated in as a first-team tackle in the spring. He can legitimately play center as well, so he's a two-deep lock at all five spots.
Next in line: Jordan Knox, G, Northwestern; Landen Hatchett, C, Washington
Defensive line
Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
ESPN 300 ranking: No. 4
No matter how deep Clemson is up front -- and the Tigers are loaded -- Woods will make his mark. What makes him special is he can do what first-round draft pick Christian Wilkins did and play every spot along the front. He could get significant snaps each game while giving the rest of his linemates a break. This is the value of depth. Woods could end up more heralded than Dexter Lawrence, another Clemson first-rounder.
Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami
ESPN 300 ranking: No. 70
Bain likely had the best showing of any early enrollee. He posted three sacks in Miami's spring game and, like Woods, can play all four positions. That should secure significant playing time for Bain, who has the ability to be a featured pass-rusher on passing downs. Bain left high school as the Michael Strahan of sacks, finishing with 77 in his career. "He holds himself accountable. He's a natural leader. Just got a super-bright future," Canes coach Mario Cristobal told reporters. "But he also has a super-bright present moment -- he's going to be an impactful player for us this year."
Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn
ESPN 300 ranking: No. 206
Flipping Faulk from Florida State was a big steal for first-year Auburn coach Hugh Freeze. The Tigers need to recover the defensive-front dominance they experienced for most of the 2000s. Faulk has gotten bigger and added weight to hold up on the inside. That should help him lock up a spot on the two-deep. "I ain't never seen a freshman like that," fellow Auburn defensive lineman Justin Rogers said of Faulk earlier this month: "He's going to be special here, definitely going to be special."
Adepoju Adebawore, DE, Oklahoma
ESPN 300 ranking: No. 20
It's no secret the Sooners need help along the defensive front, especially from a pressure standpoint. Adebawore, along with incoming transfer portal edge rusher Dasan McCullough, is just what the doctor ordered. He's a measurable, veritable coach's dream. He needs to gain weight, but his length, speed and flexibility are rare. Expect him to be a designated pass-rusher as well and help flip the terrible negative-play numbers Oklahoma's defense had in 2022.
Next in line: Bai Jobe, DE, Michigan State; Damon Wilson; DE, Georgia; Jordan Allen, DE, Kansas State; John Walker, DT, UCF
Off-ball linebacker
Anthony Hill, Texas
ESPN 300 ranking: No. 16
Hill is projected to start at weakside linebacker for the Longhorns over several upperclassmen. The departure of DeMarvion Overshown leaves big shoes to fill, but Hill is mature. He is a great run-stopper with a physical style of play. He could well become an unexpected tone-setter for this defense despite being a freshman. The best part about Hill is he doubles as a gifted pass-rusher.
Suntarine Perkins, Ole Miss
ESPN 300 ranking: No. 18
There may be questions about Ole Miss on defense, but there aren't many about Perkins' talent. Prior to the 2023 Under Armour Game, we felt Perkins could project to WR/H-back and possibly even running back. After a weeklong stint at linebacker and one of the better game performances we have seen, it became clear the jump was not going to be too steep on defense. He's extremely talented and has scheme versatility.
Tackett Curtis, USC
ESPN 300 ranking: No. 167
Talk about arriving at the right time. USC needs to take a major step forward defensively and there is a significant need in all three phases. Curtis will compete with Oklahoma State transfer Mason Cobb, who gives the Trojans stability and experience, but Curtis is the better athlete. He should see significant work at linebacker once acclimated. Curtis projected as a safety early in his high school career and still has a lot of upside for growth.
Next in line: Stanquan Clark, Louisville; Princewill Umanmielen, Nebraska; Jonathan Bax, TCU; Braylan Lovelace, Pittsburgh; Tony Rojas, Penn State; Jordan Hall, Michigan State
Cornerback
Jasiah Wagoner, Oklahoma
ESPN 300 ranking: No. 246
Wagoner is part of an array of incoming 2023 prospects expected to contribute immediately, so help is on the way for the Sooners' defense. Wagoner arrived in the spring; he should get rotational reps with the ones and be a mainstay on the two-deep following Jaden Davis' transfer. An infusion of fresh talent in the secondary should help Oklahoma limit explosive plays and hopefully improve tackling. Things can't get much worse.
Cormani McClain, Colorado
ESPN 300 ranking: No. 14
McClain is simply better than anyone Colorado currently has at the position. He'll team up with Travis Hunter to create a cornerback combo any program in America would love to have. Will McClain get picked on early? Yes. Will he make some mistakes? Yes. But will he make some spectacular plays? Yes.
Next in line: Jyaire Hill, Michigan
Safety
Jamel Johnson, TCU
ESPN 300 ranking: Unranked (four-star recruit)
Johnson immediately made an impression upon arriving on campus because of his advanced physicality and scheme versatility. He's a tweener safety-outside linebacker hybrid who is mature enough to find a home in the two-deep at multiple spots. He's the caliber of player who could help make sure TCU's College Football Playoff appearance in 2022 is not its last.
Caleb Downs, Alabama
ESPN 300 ranking: No. 11
There's no doubt about this one -- Downs is the real deal and should be an impact player for the Tide from Week 1 on. He's physically ready, was not overwhelmed by the scheme and produced at a high level throughout the spring. Even with some significant losses on the Alabama defense, Downs is one of the reasons Nick Saban might actually have an improved group.
Next in line: Peyton Bowen, Oklahoma