10 college football freshmen poised to make immediate impact

The 2025 college football season is right around the corner. The preseason coaches’ top-25 poll was disclosed earlier this week, pundits are releasing their projected conference standings and All-Conference teams and national awards are publishing their early watch lists.

While teams often rely on upperclassmen to guide them to glory, from season to season, some true freshmen shine at the collegiate level.

The 2025 campaign should be no different.

Here, in no particular order, are 10 freshmen positioned to make a significant impact in the upcoming season.

Bryce Underwood, Michigan quarterbackThe five-star Underwood is heavily in the mix for the Wolverines’ starting QB job in 2025. The 6-foot-4, 228-pound 17-year-old won all kinds of national honors as the signal-caller for Belleville High School in Belleville, Mich. Underwood is also the No. 1 national prospect in the 2025 class, according to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite.

David Sanders Jr., Tennessee offensive tackleThe 6-foot-6, 305-pound Sanders was ranked the No. 1 offensive tackle in the 2025 cycle by Rivals, and he has a prime opportunity to start for a Volunteers team that made last season’s College Football Playoff. Glen Elarbee, Tennessee’s offensive line coach, raved about the five-star Sanders, a standout from the Providence Day School in Charlotte, N.C., this week, per On3.

Gideon Davidson, Clemson running backThe 2025 four-star RB put up massive numbers for the Liberty Christian Academy in Lynchburg, Va., and with the Tigers’ leading rusher in 2024 off to the NFL, the 6-foot, 200-pound Davidson should see a lot of reps this season.

DJ Pickett, LSU defensive backThe 6-foot-5, 195-pound Pickett is being hailed as the next big-time cornerback at LSU, a team that has national title aspirations in 2025. The five-star Pickett, out of Zephyrhills High School in Zephyrhills, Fla., is deemed the nation’s No. 1 cornerback in his class by several recruiting services.

Devin Sanchez, Ohio State defensive backThe Buckeyes, the defending national champions, are known for producing cornerbacks who then go on to the pro ranks. The 6-foot-2, 198-pound Sanchez could be the next one in line when all is said and done. The standout with Houston’s North Shore Senior High School was rated a top-10 national prospect and No. 1 at his position by the 247Sports Composite.

Dakorien Moore, Oregon wide receiverThe 5-foot-11, 182-pound Moore had a stellar career at powerhouse Duncanville High School in Duncanville, Texas. Now he’s competing for the No. 1 wide receiver spot with the Ducks, which made last season’s CFP. In the 2025 class, Moore was a consensus five-star, top-10 national prospect, and the country’s No. 1 wide receiver.

Jahkeem Stewart, USC defensive linemanThe 6-foot-6, 270-pound Stewart, a former All-American in high school, is expected to play a key role on Southern California’s defensive line, as the Trojans eye a return to the top of college football following two straight subpar seasons. Stewart, who finished his prep career at Edna Karr High School in New Orleans, was the top-ranked prospect in 2026 before reclassifying into the 2025 cycle, where he was a five-star, top-25 national prospect and the No. 2 defensive lineman, according to Rivals.

Linkon Cure, Kansas State tight endCure, a star at Goodland High School in Goodland, Kan., was a massive recruiting win for the Wildcats. His athleticism is off the charts. At Goodland, the 6-foot-5, 230-pound Cure was a two-way player in football while excelling in basketball and track & field. In the 2025 class, Cure was ranked five stars and the No. 1 tight end by 247Sports.

Keelon Russell, Alabama quarterbackIt remains to be seen if the 6-foot-3, 194-pound Russell will win the starting job for the Crimson Tide, but either way, he’s poised for a big career in Tuscaloosa. The five-star Russell, the country’s No. 2 quarterback in the 2025 cycle, was the national player of the year as a senior at Duncanville High School, when he threw for 4,177 yards with 55 touchdowns and just four interceptions.

Malik Washington, Maryland quarterbackThe Terrapins look to rebound from a 4-8 record last year, and the 6-foot-5, 231-pound Washington could prove a massive reason why if he’s named QB1. As a senior, the four-star, top-five quarterback led Archbishop Spalding High School in Severn, Md., to a perfect 12-0 record and a No. 10 national ranking via MaxPreps.