The 2025 college football season has reached its midpoint, revealing several surprises and standout players. Indiana currently ranks third, while Penn State has fallen out of the rankings and undergone a coaching change. Simultaneously, Texas Tech has emerged with one of the strongest defenses in the nation.
Midseason All-America College Football Highlights
The landscape of college football has shifted dramatically. Notably, of The Athletic’s 50 preseason All-Americans, only 16 remain as midseason honorees. A total of 31 teams and eight conferences are represented in these rankings.
- Leading Teams: Ohio State and Texas A&M each secured five selections.
- Texas Tech followed with four players recognized.
- Indiana, Miami, and Oregon each received three selections.
First-Team Offense
- QB Ty Simpson (Alabama): Remarkably accurate with a 70.9 completion rate, Simpson has thrown for 18 touchdowns and just one turnover.
- RB Ahmad Hardy (Missouri): A transfer from Louisiana-Monroe, he ranks second in the FBS with 782 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.
- RB Justice Haynes (Michigan): The Alabama transfer has made a significant impact with 705 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.
- WR Mario Craver (Texas A&M): An impactful transfer from Mississippi State, Craver averages 105.7 receiving yards per game.
- WR Makai Lemon (USC): Lemon has become a highly productive receiver, averaging 113.7 yards per game.
- TE Michael Trigg (Baylor): Leading all FBS tight ends with 439 receiving yards, Trigg has caught four touchdown passes.
- OT Spencer Fano (Utah): Fano has excelled in pass protection, allowing just three pressures this season.
- OT Carter Smith (Indiana): Smith has allowed no pressures in a key road victory.
- OG Vega Ioane (Penn State): Consistently strong on the offensive line, Ioane has allowed only one pressure.
- OG Emmanuel Pregnon (Oregon): The USC transfer has been effective in run and pass blocking.
- C Logan Jones (Iowa): Reliable in pass protection, Jones has allowed only two pressures.
First-Team Defense
- DE Rueben Bain (Miami): With 29 pressures, Bain is a key component of Miami’s defensive strength.
- DE Cashius Howell (Texas A&M): Howell has recorded eight sacks and 24 pressures this season.
- DT Caden Curry (Ohio State): A versatile lineman, Curry leads with six sacks and 24 pressures.
- DT Lee Hunter (Texas Tech): Hunter’s presence has allowed other talent on the defense to shine.
- LB David Bailey (Texas Tech): Tied for the FBS lead with 8.5 sacks, Bailey has been crucial in Big 12 play.
- LB Arvell Reese (Ohio State): Leading tackler for the Buckeyes, Reese has 38 stops and 4.5 sacks.
- LB Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech): Rodriguez has solidified his role with impressive statistics across the board.
- CB Mansoor Delane (LSU): Delane boasts a 36% forced incompletion rate, leading the FBS.
- CB Leonard Moore (Notre Dame): Moore has secured three interceptions this season.
- S Caleb Downs (Ohio State): Another All-American, Downs contributes significantly on defense.
- S Michael Taaffe (Texas): Taaffe leads the Longhorns with 41 tackles this year.
First-Team Specialists
- Kansei Matsuzawa (Hawaii): Impeccable this season, Matsuzawa is 19-of-19 on field goals.
- Brett Thorson (Georgia): Averaging 45.3 net yards per punt, Thorson has limited return opportunities.
- Jonah Coleman (Washington): Coleman excels as both a leading rusher and a versatile receiver.
The 2025 Midseason All-America selections underscore the shifting dynamics within college football, with rising stars like Ty Simpson and Arvell Reese commanding attention. As the season progresses, fans will eagerly await these athletes’ performances.
