PFF 2025 All-Freshman Team: Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, Malachi Toney and more

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele was the best freshman quarterback: JKS has been a star all year for the Golden Bears.

Malachi Toney was the best overall freshman overall: The Miami (FL) wide receiver was the best true freshman in college football this season.

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In today’s day and age of NIL, players are staying in school more than ever before. As such, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for players to see immediate playing time out of high school.

These freshmen not only took the field, but they also excelled when out there. Let’s look back at the top true freshmen in college football at every position with PFF’s 2025 All-Freshman Team.

Offense

QB: Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, California
RB: Caleb Hawkins, North Texas
WR: Malachi Toney, Miami (FL)
WR: Andrew Marsh, Michigan
TE: Kaelan Chudzinski, Boston College
FLEX: Dakorien Moore, Oregon
LT: Michael Fasusi, Oklahoma
LG: John Mills, Washington
C: Paul Bowling, Troy
RG: Spike Sowells Jr., NC State
RT: Michael Carroll, Alabama

Defense

DI: Elijah Griffin, Georgia
DI: Jahkeem Stewart, USC
EDGE: London Merritt, Colorado
EDGE: Jayden Woods, Florida
LB: Mason Posa, Wisconsin
LB: Charlie Christopher, Ohio
CB: DJ Pickett, LSU
CB: Dijon Lee Jr., Alabama
S: Bryce Fitzgerald, Miami (FL)
S: Rylon Dillard-Allen, Washington
FLEX: Shawn Lee Jr., Pittsburgh

Special Teams

K: Trey Butkowski, Pittsburgh
P: Billy Gowers, Hawaii
RS: Tristian Gentry, Texas Tech
ST: Scott Taylor, UCLA
LS: Mitch Weisenborn, Missouri State

Offensive Freshman of the Year: WR Malachi Toney, Miami (FL)

Toney is the best true freshman in college football this year and was named to PFF’s All-America Team. His 90.3 PFF grade trailed only Makai Lemon among FBS wideouts, and he is also the second-most valuable according to PFF’s wins above average metric.

Toney doesn’t have a single drop on 84 catchable targets and leads the Power Four with 623 yards after the catch. If that’s not enough, he also has two passing touchdowns and a rushing score.

Defensive Freshman of the Year: LB Mason Posa, Wisconsin

Posa was one of the lone bright spots in what’s been a disappointing season for Wisconsin. His 88.3 PFF grade is fourth among Power Four linebackers, and he’s the only linebacker in college football with 80.0-plus grades as a run defender, pass rusher and in coverage.