2021 college football preseason true freshman All-America team

Every college football season, a new batch of true freshmen burst through the door at their respective programs and excel in their first year on campus.

This season, we might see fewer true freshmen make an impact than in years past because the NCAA granted an extra year of eligibility for all athletes who want to take it. That factor along with the increasing popularity of the transfer portal means there aren’t as many voids on rosters as usual.

That doesn’t mean there won’t be opportunities or we won’t see any first-year players make a splash. The 2021 recruiting class had some outstanding prospects ready to contribute to their teams this season.

Here is a look at those players and the preseason true freshman All-America list.

Quarterback

Tom Luginbill: Tyler Buchner, Notre Dame

While Wisconsin transfer Jack Coan has the experience and has been named the official starter, Buchner, the No. 41-ranked prospect in his class, is just too talented to ignore. It wouldn’t be surprising to see plenty of him throughout the year.

Tom VanHaaren: Ty Thompson, Oregon

This one was probably the most difficult position to gauge because there is really good depth across the board. Thompson is probably behind Boston College transfer Anthony Brown, but maybe that changes with fall camp. Thompson had a really good scrimmage for the Ducks recently but has some competition to get to the front of the line. He might not win the starting job, but if he keeps progressing and getting better, there’s a chance he makes an impact.

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Running back

Luginbill: Treveyon Henderson, Ohio State

The Buckeyes have a strong group of running backs, but Henderson is special. The five-star prospect has a rare blend of speed and power. If he can pass protect, look out.

VanHaaren: Treveyon Henderson, Ohio State

Henderson looked like he had been in a college weight program for three years in Ohio State’s spring game. With the exit of Trey Sermon, Ohio State needs another back to step up and help Master Teague III. Henderson has every opportunity to put together an impressive season and be a big part of the offense.

Luginbill: Will Shipley, Clemson

Exit Travis Etienne Jr., enter Shipley. Shipley is light years ahead of where Etienne was when he entered the program, especially as a receiver and punt returner.

VanHaaren: Will Shipley, Clemson

Shipley can come in and impact the run and pass game for Clemson. He has speed, he’s polished and he’s versatile enough to get himself on the field in some capacity.

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Wide receiver

Luginbill: Agiye Hall, Alabama

It took about five plays in Alabama’s spring game to realize Hall is Bama’s next great wide receiver. It’s nearly impossible for a true freshman to fill the shoes of a Heisman Trophy winner like DeVonta Smith, but Hall’s length, speed and ball skills will come close.

VanHaaren: Xavier Worthy, Texas

I agree with Luginbill about Hall, but Worthy should be on the list as well. Now at Texas after he was released from his national letter of intent at Michigan, Worthy has a ton of speed to help the Longhorns. New head coach Steve Sarkisian has already said that Worthy can play multiple receiver positions, which will only help his chances of seeing the field early. He is an explosive play waiting to happen, and Texas needs someone like him this season.

Luginbill: Mario Williams, Oklahoma

Elite talent aside, Williams has intangible traits that set him apart from the pack. He’s a savvy, instinctive player and ultra-competitor who only adds to a loaded Oklahoma skill group.

VanHaaren: Malik McClain, Florida State

The Seminoles have an improved quarterback room with the addition of McKenzie Milton, the experience gained by second-year QBs Chubba Purdy and Tate Rodemaker, and the return of Jordan Travis. Those quarterbacks are going to need playmakers, though, and McClain has already been turning heads for Florida State. He should be a big target this season and see the field early and often.

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Tight end

Luginbill: Elijah Arroyo, Miami

Arroyo will play opposite Will Mallory, but the freshman may be more talented physically. He has bulked up to 6-foot-4, 235 pounds, and he is more ready for the wear and tear, especially in the trenches.

VanHaaren: Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas

Sanders was listed as an athlete out of high school because he could line up at tight end, wide receiver or defensive end. The Texas coaches have said he will start out on offense but haven’t ruled out letting him play on defense. He’s 6-4, 256 pounds and had 19 touchdowns on offense last season in high school to go with four sacks and an interception on defense.

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Offensive line

Luginbill: JC Latham, Alabama

Evan Neal came out of IMG Academy as a five-star OL and immediately worked his way into the lineup at Alabama. Latham has similar size (6-6, 325 pounds) along with outstanding agility, which should lead to a similar outcome.

VanHaaren: JC Latham, Alabama

Luginbill: Blake Fisher, Notre Dame

An in-state signee, Fisher arrives with the required size as well as outstanding strength. Fisher went through the spring as an early enrollee and has not wasted time impressing coaches, emerging as a lead candidate to fill a void at left tackle.

VanHaaren: Blake Fisher, Notre Dame

Luginbill: Rocco Spindler, Notre Dame

Like Fisher, Spindler was an early enrollee, so he came into fall camp with some experience. As the top-rated offensive guard in the ESPN 300, he also brings excellent physical tools and an aggressive, competitive demeanor.

VanHaaren: Rocco Spindler, Notre Dame

Luginbill: Jared Wilson, Georgia

With a big body, very good feet and impressive strength, Wilson has flashed the physical tools early to compete in the trenches in the SEC.

VanHaaren: Bryce Foster, Texas A&M

Foster is not likely going to start for the Aggies, but his strength and size (6-5, 330 pounds) should help push him up into the two-deep on the interior. He is a record-holder in the shot put, and the Aggies lost quite a bit of production from last season. It might not happen right away, but if Foster keeps progressing, he should make an impact.

Luginbill: Savion Byrd, Oklahoma

At 6-5, 265 pounds, Byrd has a big frame but is an agile mover and plays with some nastiness. He’s a high-upside big man who may not have to wait long before showing the Sooners what he can do.

VanHaaren: Savion Byrd, Oklahoma

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Defensive line

Luginbill: Shemar Turner, Texas A&M

Big, strong and explosive, the scheme-versatile Turner could play defensive end or defensive tackle. With the suspension of DT McKinnley Jackson stemming from a drug arrest, the highly touted Turner could see more reps.

VanHaaren: Maason Smith, LSU

Smith can fit right in to plug the Tigers’ void in the middle of the defensive line. He’s 6-6, 292 pounds and was the No. 57 recruit out of high school. Smith has already drawn praise from some of the LSU offensive linemen he is going against in practice and is catching on quickly.

Luginbill: Leonard Taylor, Miami

Nailing down the playbook so he can play immediately is the key for Taylor. He has flashed dominance during fall camp with his 6-3, 305-pound size combined with a disruptive initial burst.

VanHaaren: Korey Foreman, USC

I agree with Luginbill about Taylor, but the opportunity is there at USC for Foreman, and he should be on this list as well. He was the No. 3-ranked prospect in the class, and the Trojans have depth issues along the defensive line. He has already shown growth since arriving on campus and should only get better with fall camp ahead of him.

Luginbill: Tywone Malone, Ole Miss

Malone is expected to bolster the Ole Miss front to help chase and close the gap against the rest of the SEC West. He is talented but also raw, and he will likely make more of an impact down the stretch.

VanHaaren: J.T. Tuimoloau, Ohio State

A late addition to Ohio State’s 2021 class, Tuimoloau committed in July and is now on campus. He was rated five stars, and in his short time in Columbus, he has turned heads and lived up to that rating. Tuimoloau is a versatile lineman who could play inside or slide over depending on the situation.

Luginbill: Jack Sawyer, Ohio State

Sawyer put on a show in Ohio State’s spring game and is poised for significant reps as the season progresses. Despite what looks like a very deep defensive end group, the former No. 1 overall prospect is too talented as a pass-rusher to keep on the bench.

VanHaaren: Jack Sawyer, Ohio State

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Linebacker

Luginbill: Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson

Clemson’s defense is loaded at linebacker, but Trotter has been better than advertised in fall camp. Clemson loves to rotate a lot of players, particularly early in the season, and the son of the four-time NFL Pro Bowler should see his fair share of action.

VanHaaren: Clayton Smith, Oklahoma

The Sooners’ defense has been improving under coordinator Alex Grinch, with the staff adding better defensive prospects over the past few classes. Smith, the ninth-ranked outside linebacker in the 2021 class, was a big win when he committed. The Sooners hope he can make an early impact, similar to what Ronnie Perkins did in his first season. Smith is a hybrid player and could impact multiple areas of the defense.

Luginbill: Raesjon Davis, USC

USC’s linebacking corps needs Davis to be a factor. He may not be an initial starter, but he’ll acclimate and become a factor throughout the season given his size (6-foot, 210) and range. Davis’ football instincts should help him get up to speed as well.

VanHaaren: Demeioun Robinson, Maryland

Robinson will be an outside linebacker/edge rusher for the Terps this season. He and Branden Jennings made up an impressive linebacker haul in Maryland’s recruiting class last season. Robinson has the ability to make an impact off the edge in a Maryland defense that needs talent and competition.

Luginbill: James Williams, Miami

Williams’ range and versatility should lead to early sub packages. He’s 6-5, 215 pounds and can run with ball skills. He possesses a tweener safety/linebacker skill set.

VanHaaren: James Williams, Miami

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Defensive back

Luginbill: Jason Marshall Jr., Florida

Marshall is expected to restore the DBU moniker as a young leader in a revamped secondary. The No. 44 overall prospect in the 2021 class will likely man the cornerback spot opposite Kaiir Elam.

VanHaaren: Jason Marshall Jr., Florida

Luginbill: Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama

Barring injury, McKinstry will be the next elite secondary player to come out of Alabama. At 6-1, 180 pounds, he’s big, fast and physical; he’s not just any freshman.

VanHaaren: Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama

Luginbill: Andrew Mukuba, Clemson

Mukuba stood out as a midyear enrollee in spring practice before breaking his arm. He’s back to full health and climbing the depth chart with his versatility and instincts in a crowded Clemson secondary.

VanHaaren: Denzel Burke, Ohio State

Burke was one of the four ESPN 300 defensive backs in the Buckeyes’ 2021 class. He’s a 6-foot corner out of Arizona who has impressed the coaching staff in fall camp. There are some experienced players in front of him, but it might be tough to keep him off the field if he keeps progressing.

Luginbill: Jakailin Johnson, Ohio State

Johnson, a 6-foot, 170-pound defensive back, was the fourth-ranked corner in his class. In fairness, fellow freshman CB Jordan Hancock deserves to be in this discussion as well. This was a poor secondary a year ago, and projected starters Sevyn Banks and Cameron Brown did not play in the spring.

VanHaaren: Jakailin Johnson, Ohio State

The Buckeyes could have a few defensive backs on this list with Johnson, Hancock, Burke and Jantzen Dunn. Any one of them could make this list, as all of the younger players are competing so far at Ohio State.