Clemson and Penn State Stars Lead Shocking USA TODAY Sports Preseason All-America Team Reveal

AP Desmond Reid, Pittsburgh

Clemson and Penn State are tied for the most USA TODAY Sports preseason All-America first-team selections with three.
Eight teams had three or more players earn first- or second-team honors: Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State and Texas.
Clemson QB Cade Klubnik is a USA TODAY Sports preseason All-America first-team selection and is a Heisman Trophy favorite.

Fano was a day-one starter for Utah and is a virtual lock for All-America honors on either side of the line. Proctor (6-foot-7, 360 pounds) is poised to fulfill his five-star potential thanks to a unique combination of size, power and agility. Ioane is the face of a vastly improved Penn State front as he enters his second year as a starter. Reed-Adams is a former Kansas transfer who helped the Aggies rank second in the SEC in rushing yards per game in 2024. Slaughter is odds-on favorite to capture the Rimington Trophy as the nation’s top center.RET Keelan Marion, Miami (Fla.)OG Kayden Green, Missouri

RB Makhi Hughes, OregonMcCoy (team-best 13 passes defended) is a true stopper on the outside who was outstanding in his first year in the SEC. Moore (two interceptions) made quarterbacks look the other way as a freshman and may be the most promising young defender in the FBS. Downs (82 tackles) has an obscenely broad skill set and impacts games in a variety of ways, including the return game. A transfer from Purdue, Thieneman (104 tackles) will be one of the most important new additions in the Power Four.CB Leonard Moore, Notre DameWR Ryan Williams, Alabama

First team

Offense

After taking the leap as a second-year starter in 2024 (36 touchdowns), Klubnik is expected to make a serious run at the Heisman Trophy as Clemson chases the third national championship under Dabo Swinney.CB Avieon Terrell, ClemsonOverall, 19 teams in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll had at least one selection.

DT Tim Keenan, AlabamaK Will Ferrin, Brigham Young

QB Cade Klubnik, ClemsonLB CJ Allen, GeorgiaP Palmer Williams, BaylorWR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State

DE Dylan Stewart, South CarolinaQB Garrett Nussmeier, LSUTE Eli Stowers, VanderbiltS Caleb Downs, Ohio StateRB Nicholas Singleton, Penn StateLB Anthony Hill, Texas

Defense

LB Whit Weeks, LSUWR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona StateCB Jermod McCoy, TennesseeRB Kaytron Allen, Penn StateOT Spencer Fano, Utah

The biggest debate might’ve come at running back. Penn State alone has two backs with first-team résumés in Nicholas Singleton and Katron Allen. Voters placed Singleton on the first team, joining Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love, while Allen and Oregon’s Makhi Hughes landed on the second team.LB Sonny Styles, Ohio StateStewart (10½ tackles for loss) is one of the elite young players in the SEC. Woods (8½ tackles for loss) and Parker (11 sacks) are two reasons why Clemson is the unquestioned favorite in the ACC. Durant (11 tackles for loss) is among the most disruptive interior linemen in the Power Four.Voting for the preseason All-America teams was conducted by 27 members of the USA TODAY Sports Network.Marion (26.2 yards per kickoff return with two scores) was a game-changing return man for Brigham Young in 2024 and will be expected to do the same for the Hurricanes. Reid just does it all: run (966 yards), catch (52 grabs for 579) and return (12.2 yards per punt with one touchdown).S Dillon Thieneman, OregonOG Olaivavega Ioane, Penn StateLB Kyle Louis, PittsburghThere was no bigger no-brainer than Smith, who dominated the Big Ten as a true freshman in helping lead the Buckeyes to the national championship. He’s one of two Ohio State standouts to land on the first team, along with safety Caleb Downs, that were unanimous selections.

Specialists

DE Colin Simmons, TexasClemson quarterback Cade Klubnik, Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore earn first-team honors on the USA TODAY Sports preseason All-America team honoring the best players in college football.OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)

Love (1,125 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns in 2024) is a big-play threat who could find even more running room should Notre Dame strike an even firmer run-pass balance behind a new starting quarterback. Singleton (1,099 yards and 12 scores) got the nod over Allen, but the two combine to make the Nittany Lions’ running game a physical force.DT Zane Durant, Penn StateRET Barrion Brown, LSU

Second team

Offense

CB D’Angelo Ponds, IndianaPATH TO PLAYOFF: Sign up for our college football newsletterLB Aiden Fisher, IndianaDE Matayo Uiagalelei, OregonWhen it comes to preseason college football buzz, nobody stirs the pot quite like the USA TODAY Sports preseason All-America team. This year, Clemson and Penn State command the spotlight, each boasting three first-team selections, a testament to their relentless pursuit of gridiron glory. We’ve got heavy hitters from eight powerhouse programs—Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, Oregon, Texas, and more—stacking rosters with top-tier talent ready to make waves. Clemson’s Cade Klubnik isn’t just a quarterback; he’s a Heisman frontrunner, poised to ignite a championship chase under Dabo Swinney’s watchful eye. Across the board, fresh faces and seasoned stars alike are setting the stage for what promises to be a pulsating season. Grab your gear—college football’s elite are ready to rumble! LEARN MOREOG Keyland Rutledge, Georgia Tech

AP Isaac Brown, LouisvilleOT Kadyn Proctor, AlabamaSmith (1,315 yards, 15 touchdowns) is simply a generational talent. Williams tailed off down the stretch last season (48 catches for 865 yards) and will need to be more consistent to help Ty Simpson ease into the starting role. A former quarterback, Stowers (49 catches for 638 yards) has been a key part behind Vanderbilt’s recent surge.OT Jordan Seaton, Colorado

Defense

WR Antonio Williams, ClemsonRB Jeremiyah Love, Notre DameZvada made 21 of 22 field goals in 2024, including a remarkable seven of seven from 50 or more yards. Thorson averaged 47.6 yards per punt last season and the Bulldogs allowed opponents to average just 5.2 yards per return.C Logan Jones, IowaS Koi Perich, MinnesotaDT Christen Miller, GeorgiaDE T.J. Parker, ClemsonP Brett Thorson, GeorgiaK Dominic Zvada, Michigan

Clemson and Penn State tied for the most first-team selections with three. Eight teams had three or more players earn first- or second-team honors: Clemson with five, Penn State with four and Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Oregon, Ohio State and Texas with three.DT Peter Woods, Clemson

Specialists

After monster 2024 (113 tackles and 16½ stops for loss), Hill will be asked to take on an even bigger role for the Longhorns’ reworked defense. Louis (15½ tackles for loss, four interceptions) might be the most well-rounded linebacker in the Bowl Subdivision. LSU’s defense made only slight gains last season and will need continued excellence from Weeks (125 stops) to contend for the top of the SEC.C Jake Slaughter, FloridaOG Ar’maj Reed-Adams, Texas A&MS Michael Taaffe, Texas