For those who have waited all offseason, the greatest sport in the world has returned to us. To kick off the start of the college football season, let’s look at the top players in the sport.
The PFSN 2025 All-America team is loaded with talent, and many of these players will be in the Heisman hunt all year.
PFSN All-America Offense
QB John Mateer, Oklahoma
John Mateer comes to Oklahoma via the transfer portal from Washington State, and expectations are as high as they’ve ever been for a Sooners quarterback. Mateer has plenty to prove with his new team, but his talent is raising the excitement level in Norman, Oklahoma.
If he gels with his new teammates quickly, the Sooners are back in business. His dual-threat abilities make it tough to stop him, but he must also do it against tougher competition.
RB Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
Nicholas Singleton will share the backfield with fellow rusher Kaytron Allen, but Penn State is elated that both are returning.
Joining quarterback Drew Allar in the backfield, the Nittany Lions have three players who could make a Heisman run in 2025.
Penn State’s Nicholas Singleton has all the makings of a top RB in the NFL draft. The short area quickness and burst at his size (220 pounds) really pop.
Singleton was fourth in the Big Ten last season in 15-plus-yard runs (18). pic.twitter.com/oBn9c0qG12
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) June 23, 2025
Allen stole the spotlight last year, but Nicholas Singleton could return the favor this year. Singleton is the more explosive threat, and offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki will find ways to get him the ball in space.
WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
Arguably the best player in college football right now. Jeremiah Smith will be a savior to QB Julian Sayin, who was named the starting Buckeyes quarterback this week. His presence alone will change opposing teams’ game plans.
Smith burst onto the scene as a true freshman, and he quickly made people forget that it was his first year in college. His athleticism, explosiveness, and large catch radius make him a joy to watch, and this year will give him even more opportunities to impress the country.
WR Ryan Williams, Alabama
Another true freshman who burst onto the scene last year, Ryan Williams also joined Jeremiah Smith on the cover of EA Sports’ College Football 26.
His performance against Georgia really put him in the spotlight, and his biggest challenge this year is proving to people that it wasn’t a fluke.
Never forget what Ryan Williams did to Georgia as a 17 year old. Torched a bunch of future pros for 6-177-1 in the fourth collegiate game of his career. pic.twitter.com/gNJSRW7vSY
— Justin Hulsey (@FF_Hulsey) July 17, 2025
With QB Jalen Milroe now in the NFL, Ty Simpson will step into the role, passing the ball to Williams throughout a tough schedule.
WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
There were several reasons why Arizona State had a breakthrough season in 2024, and the connection of QB Sam Leavitt to WR Jordyn Tyson was a big one.
Tyson entered the season as a relatively unknown player, but quickly made a name for himself.
The Sun Devils hope that he can stay healthy for a full season in 2025 because they’re hoping to make an even deeper run in the College Football Playoff.
Tyson gives them a certified deep threat who can open the field up for his teammates and give Leavitt a go-to guy when he’s in trouble.
TE Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt
Head coach Clark Lea and general manager Barton Simmons deserve a lot of credit for their work at Vanderbilt. The Commodores’ breakthrough season last year was largely due to the talent they assembled. Their best additions were transfer quarterback Diego Pavia and tight end Eli Stowers.
RELATED: Top 25 Returning College Football Tight Ends — Eli Stowers, Jack Endries Highlight the Elite Talent
Stowers is Vanderbilt’s go-to guy when they need a big play. He’s Pavia’s safety blanket when things get tough, and there’s reason to believe he’ll have an even bigger season in 2025.
OL Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
If Alabama is going to get back on track under Kalen DeBoer, the offensive line must get back to its mauling ways. Fortunately, they have a few massive players that will make that happen, including Kadyn Proctor.
Kadyn Proctor + Tyler Booker was 1 of the most physically dominant adjacent OL duos I’ve ever seen in CFB. Every game is just 60 min of them going pancake for pancake. Watch Proctor here and then rewatch Booker on every play lol pic.twitter.com/IGLuZoXO2c
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) June 30, 2025
Proctor has a bright future and could be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
At 6’7″ and 360 pounds, it’s tough to miss him on the field. With new quarterback Ty Simpson taking over the offense, Proctor and the guys around him must give time for Simpson to make plays this year.
OL Armaj Reed-Adams, Texas A&M
While everyone has their eyes on quarterback Marcel Reed, the offensive line should make his life easier. Armaj Reed-Adams will help lead the charge up front, and the Aggies have big hopes thanks to his return to campus. Offensive coordinator Collin Klein has more flexibility in his playcalling now, and Reed will benefit the most from that.
OL Jake Slaughter, Florida
Florida’s skill position players are working through injuries, but the big guys up front are the stabilizing piece of the offense.
Jake Slaughter leads one of the best units in college football for the Gators, and his return will also help quarterback DJ Lagway. He won’t get as much attention, but his return is equally important.
OL Vega Ioane, Penn State
Another reason Penn State’s offense will thrive this season is the offensive line. Vega Ioane is just one man in a talented group, and he is a big reason Singleton and Allen will run all over their opponents this year. He could have gone pro, but Ioane decided there was unfinished business to attend to in 2025.
OL Spencer Fano, Utah
The combination of Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu is going to feed families this year and well into the future.
The Utes have an elite tandem at offensive tackle, and they’ll help get the team back on track this year. After a disappointing season in 2024, Fano is ready to bring Utah to the top of the Big 12 this season.
PFSN 2025 All-America Defense
As for the defense, the country is just as loaded. From ferocious linemen in the SEC to explosive defensive backs in the Big 12 and Big Ten, these players will be making some jaw-dropping plays this season.
EDGE Colin Simmons, Texas
One of the scariest parts about this All-America team is the number of players who will come back next year. Some are too young and don’t have the option to go pro, and yet they’re already the best at their positions. Colin Simmons is one of those guys.
Simmons was expected to be a big part of Texas’ defense last year, and he didn’t waste time wreaking havoc on opposing offenses. Now, he has a full year of experience under his belt, and he’s ready to show the college football world that he has even more in his arsenal to unleash.
EDGE Dylan Stewart, South Carolina
Another true freshman who surprised us last year, Dylan Stewart is a playmaker through and through, and he got a full offseason to get stronger.
His quickness was a problem for the offensive tackles he faced, and now he’s hoping to add more power to his frame to run through guys as well this year.
DT Peter Woods, Clemson
If Peter Woods can stay healthy all year, then the Clemson Tigers’ defensive line is going to be the best in the country.
They used him on the edge and inside last year, but the addition of Will Heldt via the transfer portal allows him to stay inside this year.
Kadyn Proctor + Tyler Booker was 1 of the most physically dominant adjacent OL duos I’ve ever seen in CFB. Every game is just 60 min of them going pancake for pancake. Watch Proctor here and then rewatch Booker on every play lol pic.twitter.com/IGLuZoXO2c
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) June 30, 2025
Woods’ size, combined with his underrated quickness, makes him a problem for the Tigers’ opponents. He could be a Top 10 pick, and if he reaches that ceiling, the Tigers should be able to win a national championship.
DT Aaron Graves, Iowa
Iowa has a number of questions on defense, but Aaron Graves is not one of them. The Hawkeyes have enjoyed a nice, long run of elite players up front, and Graves should continue that tradition.
If they can find replacements around him for the talent they lost, this defense will continue to stifle opposing offenses.
LB Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh
While the size of linebackers has drastically changed over the years, the play has not. Kyle Louis doesn’t intimidate anyone getting off the bus, but the guy knows how to make plays.
Pitt’s linebackers are stacked this year, and Louis is the headliner. He’s a versatile weapon, and HC Pat Narduzzi knows the playbook opens up because of his star player. Even if the Panthers don’t make a push for the ACC title, they will still be in games.
LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
Watch out for the Longhorns’ defense this year. While everyone’s worried about what Colin Simmons is doing, Anthony Hill Jr. presents just as many issues. The star linebacker is back for another season, and he’s essentially a lock as a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Hill shone the minute he stepped on campus. His playmaking abilities thrust him into the spotlight, and now it’s on to bigger things in 2025. While most of the nation focuses on QB Arch Manning and the offense, Hill and the defense will ensure the Longhorns make a deep run.
LB Whit Weeks, LSU
Thanks to the Netflix documentary “Any Given Saturday,” everyone got to know Whit Weeks better and saw his motivation for this season. LSU didn’t have the season they wanted last year, but they return a ton of talent to make a run at an SEC championship and CFP run.
Defensive coordinator Blake Baker must fine-tune some things on this side of the ball, but he has a leader in Weeks who can help. The Tigers’ linebacker makes plays, and his leadership will be paramount to improving this defense.
S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
According to most, Caleb Downs is the best safety in the country. Last season, he instantly improved Ohio State’s secondary, and the Big Ten got a healthy dose of reality when they faced the Buckeyes’ secondary.
#OhioState S Caleb Downs (6-0, 205)
The ultimate equalizer. Can matchup in man and has excellent zone instincts. Plays balanced and violent on arrival. Consistent open field tackler. pic.twitter.com/MG6V9Ka8nJ
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) May 20, 2025
Downs leads a defense that needs to find new starters up front, but having him back makes life a little easier for new defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. He can line up all over the field, and that can help clean up mistakes from the new starters.
S Koi Perich, Minnesota
The sky is the limit for Koi Perich. His pick of the Minnesota Golden Gophers over several bigger schools made waves, and he did it again when he didn’t enter the transfer portal. He would have been able to pick his school, but he chose to stay loyal to his hometown team.
Perich is a stud, and that’s as a true freshman. Minnesota’s secondary is loaded with talent, and the biggest question surrounding the star safety is whether he’ll play both ways.
The Gophers already line him up on defense and special teams, so why not add more to his plate? He’s already shown that he can handle it at such a young age.
CB D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana
While he’s not the biggest cornerback, D’Angelo Ponds has proven he can handle almost any matchup he faces. He understands that his leverage and hands will help him the most, and he rarely gets caught in situations where he has to use his size to win.
The Hoosiers are looking to surprise people again in 2025, and Ponds is one of three big-time players they get back on defense. The secondary is stacked with talent, so it’s not like teams can avoid his side of the field all year.
CB Jontez Williams, Iowa State
Iowa State’s secondary lost multiple veteran pieces, but the returns of Jeremiah Cooper and Jontez Williams give them peace of mind. Williams emerged as a star of the group last year, and he returns to be a lockdown corner for this defense.
Iowa State has big goals after an 11-3 season in 2024, and a new look defense will need to get up to speed quickly for that to happen. Williams and Cooper are two of the leaders on that side of the ball, and they’ll play bigger roles for the team this season.
PFSN 2025 All-America Special Teams
Football isn’t always about offense and defense. While the above playmakers will create highlights more often, these special teamers can still make a difference when it matters most — from game-winning field goals to important punt returns that set up a game-tying drive.
K Dominic Zvada, Michigan
While Bryce Underwood and the Michigan offense figure out what they’re doing, Dominic Zvada may be their biggest weapon early in the season. The offense might struggle, which could put Zvada on the field due to stalled drives. Luckily, he’s proven to be a reliable scorer.
Last year, he finished 21-for-22 on field goals, including connecting on seven field goals of 50 yards or more. He’s as much of a sure thing as you can get, and the Wolverines might need that to stay in games while the offense figures things out.
P Palmer Williams, Baylor
Baylor hopes Palmer Williams won’t have to punt as much this year, but they know he’s capable of flipping the field if needed.
Last year, he led all of college football by averaging 49.3 yards per punt, and did so while only punting 43 times. So even if he doesn’t punt as much, he’s proven that he can be efficient.
KR Keelan Marion, Miami
Miami needed help at receiver coming into the 2025 season, and adding Keelan Marion gave them that, plus a proven threat as a punt and kick returner.
Last year at BYU, Marion averaged 26.2 yards per kick return, taking two of his 18 returns back for touchdowns. Miami is excited to see him catch passes, but even more excited for him to return kicks in 2025.
PFSN All-America Second-Team
- QB Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
- RBÂ Jonah Coleman, Washington
- WRÂ Makai Lemon, USC
- WR Kevin Coleman Jr., Missouri
- WR Aaron Anderson, LSU
- TEÂ Max Klare, Ohio State
- OLÂ Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern
- OL Cayden Green, Missouri
- OL Iapani Laloulu, Oregon
- OL Tomas Rimac, Virginia Tech
- OL Aamil Wagner, Notre Dame
- EDGE T.J. Parker, Clemson
- EDGEÂ Mikail Kamara, Indiana
- DT Gracen Halton, Oklahoma
- DT Jordan van den Berg, Georgia Tech
- LB Aiden Fisher, Indiana
- LB Red Murdock, Buffalo
- LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
- S Michael Taaffe, Texas
- S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
- CB Chandler Rivers, Duke
- CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
- K Lucas Carneiro, Ole Miss
- P Ryan Eckley, Michigan State
- KR Barion Brown, LSU
