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There are few things more exciting for college football fans than watching superstars emerge in real-time. On Monday, ESPN projected the top 10 freshmen for the 2025 campaign, while including 15 other first-year players to watch. College football had no shortage of freshmen standouts last season. Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith staked his claim […]

ESPN ranks Top 10 freshmen in college football, names 15 to watch

There are few things more exciting for college football fans than watching superstars emerge in real-time. On Monday, ESPN projected the top 10 freshmen for the 2025 campaign, while including 15 other first-year players to watch.

College football had no shortage of freshmen standouts last season. Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith staked his claim as arguably the best player in the country, guiding the Buckeyes to a national championship.

Meanwhile, in the SEC, freshmen such as DJ Lagway, Dylan Stewart and Ryan Williams raised eyebrows. With a fresh class of talent entering the scene, let’s examine who ESPN believes will rise to the top of the college football world this fall.

1. WR Dakorien Moore, Oregon

Dakorien Moore was the No. 1 wide receiver in the 2025 recruiting cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Rankings. Evidently, ESPN expects Moore to live up to his billing and follow in the footsteps of last year’s No. 1 freshman wideout: Jeremiah Smith.

Moore should immediately be athletic enough to compete with elite competition. He boasts a 10.4-second 100-meter dash and 24-foot long jump. With senior Oregon WR Evan Stewart expected to miss a significant portion of the season, Moore will have plenty of opportunities to shine.

2. QB Bryce Underwood, Michigan

Michigan Wolverines football quarterback Bryce Underwood at the 2025 spring game. (Photo by Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) — (Photo by Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

It’s a bit surprising that ESPN didn’t have Bryce Underwood at No. 1 on its list. After all, Underwood is the No. 1 player in the 2025 recruiting cycle, and has reportedly impressed Michigan’s staff this summer.

Nonetheless, it’s not a sure thing that Underwood will start for the Wolverines this fall, which gives ESPN some pause. When Underwood does his get his chance to shine, most experts are willing to bet he’ll succeed. NFL scouts are already drooling over the 6-foot-4, 210-pound freshman.

3. RB Gideon Davidson, Clemson

Despite being the No. 4 running back in the Class of 2025, Gideon Davidson is the first running back on ESPN’s list. In fairness, Davidson is entering an excellent situation. Clemson is returning four of its five starting offensive linemen from last season, but lost RB1 Phil Mafah to the NFL.

Davidson could immediately fill the hole left by the standout RB. During his time at Liberty Christian, Davidson amassed 7,438 rushing yards and 118 rushing touchdowns on 701 carries. For those who aren’t mathematicians, that’s a ridiculous 10.53 yards per carry.

4. CB Devin Sanchez, Ohio State

Ohio State sure knows how to pick ’em. ESPN believes cornerback Devin Sanchez will be the Buckeyes’ next great freshman. Sanchez gets plenty of excellent practice, defending players like Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate at practice.

In turn, when Sanchez faces outside competition, it should feel significantly easier than what’s he grown accustomed to. At 6-foot-2, with a 10.69-second 100-meter dash, Sanchez has the physical attributes necessary to go up for jump balls against the best wide receivers in the country.

5. QB Malik Washington, Maryland

Bryce Underwood isn’t the only Big Ten freshman quarterback expected to make waves this fall. Malik Washington was the No. 11 QB in the 2025 recruiting cycle and is expected to be starting behind center before the season is over.

In his senior season at Archbishop Spalding, Washington erupted for 1,970 passing yards and 22 passing touchdowns while adding eight more in the ground game. He led the school to a 25-0 record in conference play as a starter.

6. OT David Sanders Jr., Tennessee

While David Sanders Jr. won’t be launching 60-yard touchdown passes or hurdling defenders, he could be the most important freshman in the nation to his team. Tennessee lost Nico Iamaleava to the transfer portal this offseason, and will have a QB inexperienced with its systems running the offense in 2025.

It’ll be up to Tennessee’s front five to protect the Volunteers’ QB until he’s able to find his groove. Sanders is seemingly determined to provide that protection. The North Carolina native has reportedly added 30 pounds of muscle this offseason, with hopes of winning starting spot on the line.

7. CB DJ Pickett, LSU

DJ Pickett has more experience ahead of him on the roster than most of the players on this list. Alas, it won’t be easy for Tigers head coach Brian Kelly to keep the 6-foot-5, lightning-fast defender on the sidelines.

Pickett was the No. 2 cornerback in his recruiting class. He collected 94 total tackles and 10 interceptions during his prep career. His uncle is former NFL defensive tackle Ryan Pickett, who won a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers.

8. DB/WR Demetres Samuel, Syracuse

Demetres Samuel is looking to join the trend of two-way stars in college football after Colorado‘s Travis Hunter won the Heisman Trophy last season. While Samuel isn’t particularly large, neither was Hunter, and he ended up being the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Samuel can run a 10.5-second 100-meter dash and has elite hands. He’ll most likely start for Syracuse’s defense, but don’t be surprised if he becomes one of the team’s best pass-catchers before the season concludes.

9. QB Julian Lewis, Colorado

Julian Lewis is engaged in a heated quarterback battle with veteran transfer Kaidon Salter. Although Lewis lacks Salter’s experience, Colorado’s coaching staff is considering him a legitimate successor to Shedeur Sanders.

Lewis is consistent, with a ball that shoots out of his hand quickly and on target. Lewis was a three-year starter in high school, logging 11,010 passing yards and 144 touchdowns, the fifth-most in Georgia high school football history.

10. CB Graceson Littleton, Texas

There’s been nothing but great things coming out of Texas’ camp about Graceson Littleton. With only six returning starts on Texas’ defense this season, there is an opening for Littleton to immediately contribute.

In his senior campaign at Wiregrass Ranch, Littleton notched 30 tackles, two interceptions, eight pass break-ups, two tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. For his efforts, he was named a Sunshine Athletic Conference East First-Team selection.