USA TODAY Sports' freshman All-America team
They are only freshmen. But across the country, first-year contributors have grasped major roles for some of the nation’s best teams – including at undefeated and No. 1 Alabama, which starts true freshmen at quarterback and offensive tackle.
The Crimson Tide’s Jalen Hurts and Jonah Williams have starring roles on the USA TODAY Sports Freshman All-America team, which includes at least one representative from each of the 10 conferences in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Also honored are Ohio State running back Mike Weber, Penn State offensive lineman Ryan Bates, Clemson defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and Washington safety Taylor Rapp.
USA TODAY Sports' 2016 All-America college football teams
The nation’s most accomplished freshman, Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver, earned a rare double-feat: Oliver was a Freshman All-America pick and a first-team USA TODAY Sports All-America honoree.
► QB Jalen Hurts, Alabama
► RB Mike Weber, Ohio State
► RB Justice Hill, Oklahoma State
► WR Demetris Robertson, California
► WR Ahmmon Richards, Miami (Fla.)
► TE Isaac Nauta, Georgia
► OL Jonah Williams, Alabama
► OL Ethan Reed, Louisiana Tech
► OL Erik McCoy, Texas A&M
► OL Tim Lynott, Colorado
► OL Ryan Bates, Penn State
► DL Brian Burns, Florida State
► DL Ed Oliver, Houston
► DL Dexter Lawrence, Clemson
► DL Joe Dillon, Louisiana-Lafayette
► LB Troy Dye, Oregon
► LB Joe Giles-Harris, Duke
► LB Logan Wilson, Wyoming
► CB Clifton Duck, Appalachian State
► CB Xavier Crawford, Oregon State
► S Jessie Bates, Wake Forest
► S Taylor Rapp, Washington
► K Louie Zervos, Ohio
► P Tom Sheldon, North Carolina
► RET Tony Pollard, Memphis
USA TODAY SPORTS' 2016 ALL-AMERICA TEAMS