Ladies and gentlemen, the countdown to the new football season is officially on. Sportsvival’s 2025 Preseason All-American Teams spotlight the nation’s most electrifying returning talents—from seasoned playmakers to rising sophomores. These athletes have proven their impact on college football’s biggest stages and are ready to elevate their teams into title contention. Let’s meet the players set to shape the season ahead.
1st Team Offense
QB – LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina – Dual-threat dynamo who threw for over 2,800 yards and rushed for 700+ in 2024, bringing explosive playmaking and toughness to the Gamecocks.
RB – Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame – Sophomore sensation who averaged nearly 7 yards per carry and posted the nation’s top missed-tackle rate among returning backs.
RB – Nicholas Singleton, Penn State – Home-run hitter with elite breakaway speed, racking up over 1,100 rushing yards and 12 TDs while anchoring the Nittany Lions' backfield.
WR – Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State – Former five-star phenom who didn’t disappoint, producing 1,300+ yards and 15 TDs as a true freshman; a mismatch nightmare on the perimeter.
WR – Ryan Williams, Alabama – Teenage prodigy with advanced route running and acceleration, notched 865 yards and 8 scores in Year 1 with the Tide.
WR – Jordan Tyson, Arizona State – Deep-ball specialist and transfer spark plug who became ASU’s top target with clutch grabs and elite vertical skills.
TE – Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt – Former QB turned versatile tight end, led Power Four TEs in YAC and created mismatches with his size and athleticism.
C – Jake Slaughter, Florida – Technical anchor in the middle, allowed just one sack all season and posted dominant run-blocking metrics in SEC play.
OL – Kadyn Proctor, Alabama – Towering bookend with raw strength and improved pass pro, locked down top-edge threats late in the season.
OL – Cayden Green, Missouri – Mauling left tackle who earned All-SEC honors as a sophomore and brings tone-setting toughness to Mizzou’s line.
OL – Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State – Road-grading interior lineman who thrives in double teams and brings physicality to the Nittany Lions’ inside run game.
OL – Spencer Fano, Utah – Power Pac-12 blocker who led Utah’s rushing attack and registered the highest run-blocking grade among conference tackles.
K – Dominic Zvada, Michigan – Reliable leg who converted 19 of 21 field goals in 2024 and brought calm consistency in pressure moments for the Wolverines.
1st Team Defense
DE – T.J. Parker, Clemson – Relentless edge rusher who tallied 13.5 TFLs and 9 sacks, wreaking havoc in backfields all season long.
DE – Dylan Stewart, South Carolina – Explosive freshman phenom with elite get-off and 50+ pressures, quickly rose to stardom in the SEC.
DT – Peter Woods, Clemson – Interior enforcer with elite strength and motor, posted an 89+ PFF run-defense grade and constant disruption.
DT – Zane Durant, Penn State – Gap-shooting technician who registered 14 tackles for loss and 6 sacks, emerging as a dominant Big Ten force.
LB – Kyle Louis, Pitt – The heart of the Panthers’ defense, Louis posted triple-digit tackles, elite lateral range, and key third-down stops in 2024.
LB – Anthony Hill, Texas – Versatile linebacker who can blitz, cover, and stuff the run; led the Longhorns in impact plays last season.
LB – Whit Weeks, LSU – Emerging defensive leader with sideline-to-sideline speed, big-hit ability, and growing instincts in coverage.
LB – Sonny Styles, Ohio State – Hybrid enforcer who thrives in the box and deep safety roles, bringing rare versatility and physicality to OSU’s defense.
CB – Leonard Moore, Notre Dame – Long, fluid corner who dominated in man coverage, allowing a passer rating under 50 when targeted.
CB – Jermod McCoy, Tennessee – Former transfer who transformed into a lockdown presence, picking off four passes and shutting down top SEC receivers.
S – Caleb Downs, Ohio State – A returning All-American who sets the tone in the Buckeyes secondary with elite range, vision, and tackling discipline.
S – Dillon Thieneman, Oregon – Big-time transfer with exceptional ball skills and run support—led the Ducks in tackles and takeaways.
P – Brett Thorson, Georgia – Aussie punter with deep hang time and field-flipping accuracy, consistently pinned opponents inside their 15.
2nd Team Offense
QB – Arch Manning, Texas – With improved poise and decision-making, Manning threw 27 TDs to just 6 INTs in 2024, flashing the high-ceiling traits that made him a household name.
RB – Makhi Hughes, Oregon – SEC transfer who made waves in Eugene, racking up 1,120 yards with patient vision and punishing contact balance.
RB – Desmond Reid, Pitt – Underrated speed back who notched nine touchdowns and showcased serious burst as a three-down option for the Panthers.
WR – Carnell Tate, Ohio State – The Buckeyes’ next star wideout, Tate caught 62 passes for 975 yards as a sophomore and dominated in contested catch situations.
WR – Eric Singleton Jr., Auburn – A vertical threat with blazing speed, Singleton Jr. averaged over 18 yards per grab and opened up Auburn’s offense in 2024.
WR – Elijah Sarratt, Indiana – Proven Big Ten standout with sure hands and route polish, Sarratt posted 1,003 receiving yards and seven touchdowns last season.
TE – Max Klare, Ohio State – Reliable target in the seam, Klare averaged 13 yards per catch and emerged as a strong blocker in OSU’s multi-look sets.
C – Parker Brailsford, Alabama – The Crimson Tide’s cerebral pivot man, Brailsford excelled in zone calls and surrendered just one sack all year in SEC play.
OL – Ar’maz Reid-Adams, Texas A&M – Punishing run blocker who thrives on gap-scheme pulls and brings a snarl to the Aggies’ interior line.
OL – Blake Miller, Clemson – A steady presence at right tackle, Miller posted back-to-back seasons with 80+ pass protection grades.
OL – Aamil Wagner, Notre Dame – Long, fluid athlete at left tackle with developing power, Wagner gave up just 2 sacks over 13 starts in 2024.
K – Will Ferrin, BYU – Rock-solid placekicker who went 18-of-20 last season, including a 4-for-4 mark from 50+ yards.
2nd Team Defense
DE – Colin Simmons, Texas – Electric off the edge, Simmons logged 8 sacks and 16.5 TFLs as a true freshman and is already a household name among scouts.
DE – Mikail Kamara, Indiana – Big Ten disruptor with 10.5 sacks in 2024, Kamara combines power and advanced hands to overwhelm tackles.
DT – Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati – Nicknamed “The Godfather,” Corleone brings nasty leverage, quickness, and backfield penetration to every snap.
DT – Christen Miller, Georgia – Breakout interior force with elite get-off and strength, Miller racked up 28 pressures in limited reps last season.
LB – Deontae Lawson, Alabama – Field general of the Tide defense, Lawson diagnoses plays in a flash and leads all SEC returners in solo tackles.
LB – Suntarine Perkins, Ole Miss – Ultra-athletic linebacker who can blitz off the edge, cover backs, and crush screens with devastating speed.
LB – Aiden Fisher, Indiana – Tackle machine who recorded 115 total stops and showed strong coverage instincts in Big Ten play.
LB – Austin Romaine, Kansas State – Underrated difference-maker who averaged 8.5 tackles per game with a motor that never shuts off.
CB – Daylen Everette, Georgia – Lengthy lockdown defender who allowed just 38% completion when targeted and plays with NFL-caliber footwork.
CB – Avieon Terrell, Clemson – Younger brother of A.J. Terrell, Avieon brings physical press coverage and sharp instincts to the Tigers’ secondary.
S – Michael Taaffe, Texas – Heads-up safety with ballhawk tendencies, Taaffe grabbed four INTs and provided key leadership in Texas’s back end.
S – Koi Perich, Minnesota – Rising star who delivered five takeaways and a top-10 PFF safety grade as a true freshman.
P – Ryan Eckley, Michigan State – Cannon leg with finesse, Eckley averaged 47.8 yards per punt and flipped the field routinely for the Spartans.
(photo courtesy of on3.com)