2010 CFN All-Freshman Team
South Carolina RB Marcus Lattimore
By Richard Cirminiello
CollegeFootballNews.com
Posted Dec 14, 2010
| More
Who are the best new players in college football this season? More than ever, the new guys are making a big impact. This year, led by players like Aaron Murray, Taylor Martinez, and the Offensive Freshman of the Year, Marcus Lattimore, there are plenty of great stars taking over. Check out the 2010 CollegeFootballNews.com All-Freshman Team.
2010 All-Freshman Team
Offense
CFN All-Freshman Teams
- 2009 CFN All-Freshman Team
- 2008 CFN All-Freshman Team
- 2007 CFN All-Freshman Team
- 2006 CFN All-Freshman Team
- 2005 CFN All-Freshman Team
- 2004 CFN All-Freshman Team
Write-ups By Richard Cirminiello
- 2010 CFN Freshman All-America Defense & Special Teams
Offensive Freshman of the Year: RB Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina
First Team
QB Aaron Murray , Georgia â Murray shook off some rocky moments in the early going to finish on the kind of tear that bodes real well for his future in Athens. Not only did he throw 24 touchdown passes, including three in each of the final four games, but he was picked just six times and ranks No. 9 nationally in passing efficiency. He didnât get as much support as first anticipated, yet showed a ton of moxie for such a young quarterback.
RB Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina â Every bit as good as advertised coming out of high school, Lattimore exploded on to the scene in Columbia. Already looking like a next-level runner between the tackles, heâs second to Cam Newton in SEC rushing, going for 1,198 yards and 17 touchdowns. Even better, he looks like a big-game performer, saving his three biggest efforts for Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida. Heâll be a Heisman contender as early as 2011.
RB James White , Wisconsin â How talented is White? Even the presences of reigning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year John Clay and Montee Ball couldnât keep him from 1,000 yards in the regular season. The perfect complement to the bullish Clay, the leagueâs Freshman of the Year brings an element of dash and excitement to the usually methodical Badger offense.
WR Robert Woods , USC â It took Woods all of one month to show why he was one of the most sought after wide receivers in America in February. The next Trojan star at the position, he used his blazing speed and good instincts to win a job shortly after arriving on campus. He finished his debut with 65 receptions for 792 yards and six touchdowns, and was a threat as a kick returner.
WR Marquess Wilson , Washington State â One of the silver linings in another losing season, Wilson has gone from a target of the WAC and Mountain West to one of the Pac-10âs best young receivers. An instant starter on the Palouse, heâs worn down some in the second half, but still has 55 grabs for 1,006 yards and six touchdowns. Once he adds a little muscle, heâll be better prepared to handle the rigors of a full season at this level.
TE Ted Bolser , Indiana â This yearâs top freshman tight end has added significant bulk since arriving from Cincinnati, yet hasnât lost his ability to make plays in the passing game. At 6-6 and 252 pounds, he moves well for his size, turning 27 catches for 405 yards and five touchdowns into All-Big Ten honorable mention recognition.
OL Luke Joeckel , Texas A&M â A blue-chipper who could have gone just about anywhere in the Southwest, Joeckel has laid a nice foundation in his first season in College Station. Heâs been a starter at left tackle since Day One with the Aggies, getting better as the season has progressed and showing the quickness and technique that drew so much attention from suitors. Honorable mention All-Big 12 right out of the gate, the best is yet to come for No. 76.
OL Weston Richburg , Colorado State â Itâs been quite an evolution for Richburg, who was a high school quarterback just four years ago. Heâs naturally added plenty of weight over that time, and started all 12 games in Fort Collins, three at guard and the last nine at center. He led the Rams with 54 knockdowns, allowed one sack, and did not register a bad snap with him at the pivot.
OL Seantrel Henderson , Miami â Henderson made a detour on his way to Miami, originally signing with USC, and the âCanes are thrilled he did. One of the biggest linemen in the country and a five-star recruit, he got better as the season progressed, earning the start at right tackle, grading out at 88.4% with 15 pancakes.
OL JaâWuan James , Tennessee â James started every game at right tackle for the Volunteers, improving his footwork and pass protection skills as he got more reps. While still predictably raw, he has the 6-7 frame, long arms, and right work ethic to emerge into an SEC star in the coming years.
OL D.J. Fluker , Alabama â Fluker missed some time to a groin injury and still has some rough edges to smooth out, but the Tide believes itâs found a pillar at right tackle. When he was healthy, he was a force for the âBama offensive line, using his immense size and strength to simply bully opposing linemen off the line of scrimmage.
Second Team
QB Taylor Martinez, Nebraska
RB Ronnie Hillman, San Diego State
RB Michael Dyer, Auburn
WR Kenny Stills, Oklahoma
WR Paul Richardson, Colorado
TE Gavin Escobar, San Diego State
OL Taylor Lewan, Michigan
OL Gabe Ikard, Oklahoma
OL Mason Walters, Texas
OL Jeremiah Sirles, Nebraska
OL Jake Matthews, Texas A&M
Honorable Mention
QB: Jeff Godfrey, UCF, Danny O'Brien, Maryland, Nathan Scheelhaase, Illinois, Jake Heaps, BYU, David Piland, Houston, Corey Robinson, Troy, Kolton Browning, Louisiana
RB: LaDarius Perkins, Mississippi State, Orleans Darkwa, Tulane, Kendrick Hardy, Southern Miss, James Sims, Kansas, Lamar Miller, Miami, Trey Millard, Oklahoma, Joseph Randle, Oklahoma State, Josh Harris, Wake Forest
WR: Josh Boyce, TCU, DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson, Keenan Allen, Cal, Josh Huff, Oregon, Bobby Swigert, Boston College, Duwyce Wilson, Indiana, Justin Hunter, Tennessee
TE: Jordan Aumiller, Kentucky, Michael Williams, Alabama, Nehemiah Hicks, Texas A&M
OL: Gabe Jackson, Mississippi State, Josh Williford, LSU, James Hurst, North Carolina, Wesley Johnson, Vanderbilt, David Bakhtiari, Colorado, Evan Finkenberg, Arizona State, Perry Simmons, Duke, Morgan Moses, Virginia, Nolan MacMillan, Iowa, Ed Olson, Minnesota, Will Jackson, Georgia Tech
2010 CFN All-Freshman Defensive Team
Florida State CB Xavier Rhodes
By Richard Cirminiello
CollegeFootballNews.com
Posted Dec 14, 2010
| More
Who were the best new defensive players in college football this season? Check out the 2010 CollegeFootballNews.com All-Freshman Defensive Team.
2010 All-Freshman Team
Defense & Special Teams
CFN All-Freshman Teams
- 2009 CFN All-Freshman Team
- 2008 CFN All-Freshman Team
- 2007 CFN All-Freshman Team
- 2006 CFN All-Freshman Team
- 2005 CFN All-Freshman Team
- 2004 CFN All-Freshman Team
Write-ups By Richard Cirminiello
- 2010 CFN Freshman All-America Offense
Defensive Freshman of the Year: CB Xavier Rhodes, Florida State
First Team
DE Junior Onyeali , Arizona State â Although Onyeali didnât become a starter until October, he quickly adjusted and became the Sun Devilsâ most consistent pass rusher. Undersized, but quick off the snap, he used his tenacity and spin moves to compile 18 tackles and team-highs with 11.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.
DT Roosevelt Nix , Kent State â One of the better-kept secrets at the freshman level, Nix was a weekly nightmare for overmatched blockers. While only 6-0 and 240 pounds, he used his superior quickness and get-off to become the first Kent State player since Jack Lambert in 1972 to be named MAC Defensive Player of the Year. And the first rookie since the awardâs been given out. He had a remarkable debut, making 43 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, and forcing four fumbles.
DT Justin Washington , Arizona â The Wildcats were looking for interior linemen in the offseason, and Washington answered the call. A starter at the nose before missing some time to a knee injury, heâs made 45 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and six sacks. Heâs skilled at disengaging from blocks and has the quickness to hunt down backs and quarterbacks behind the line of scrimmage.
DE Barkevious Mingo , LSU â Mingo is the kind of elite all-around athlete, who often calls Baton Rouge home for four or five years. Once he sharpens his technique and pass-rushing skills, heâs going to be a nightmare coming off the edge. He used his long frame and long arms to obstruct the other team, making 33 tackles, 5.5 tackles, and 2.5 sacks, while batting down five passes.
LB James Morris , Iowa â Injuries created an opening in the middle that Morris quickly filled, taking over as the starter toward the end of October. Heâs fourth on the team with 63, making a season-high 13 in the loss to Northwestern. More important, he possesses the physical toughness and all of the intangibles that have been inherent to great Hawkeye defenders for decades.
LB C.J. Mosley , Alabama â Mosley didnât need to be on the field for the first snap to make an immediate impact for the Crimson Tide. Despite starting just three games, heâs third on the team with 66 tackles, adding 10 passes defended, and two picks taken back for touchdowns. While his athletic ability is obvious, his ceiling is so high because of his instincts and knack for getting to the ball in a hurry.
LB Shaun Lewis , Oklahoma State â The Big 12 co-Defensive Freshman of the Year, Lewis got better as the year progressed, making 55 tackles, seven tackles for loss, three picks, and three forced fumbles. In the regular season finale with Oklahoma, he had 11 solo stops and two interceptions, one that went the other way for six. A genuine playmaker on this side of the ball, heâs destined for a sensational career in Stillwater.
CB Dee Milliner , Alabama â One of the nationâs top recruits of 2010, he broke into the lineup early on in Tuscaloosa and never looked back. Possessing a rare and coveted combination of size and speed, he has the potential to be the SECâs top cover corner before too long. Not afraid to fill lanes and support the run, he has 52 tackles, including four for loss, and has broken up five passes.
S Ty Zimmerman , Kansas State â A former local quarterback product, he made the spring shift to defense look like a stroke of genius. Zimmerman has adapted quicker than anyone could have dreamt, becoming a defensive playmaker and earning All-Big 12 Second Team recognition. Heâs got 69 tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks, six interceptions, and two forced fumbles, with the bowl game still left to be played.
S Tony Jefferson , Oklahoma â Being labeled as the second-coming of Roy Williams in Norman is an indication of just how excited the program is about Jefferson. Playing mostly in nickel packages, the Big 12 co-Defensive Freshman of the Year has made 63 tackles, six stops behind the line, and broken up seven passes. Heâs a hard hitter, with the range to make his presence felt all over the field.
CB Xavier Rhodes , Florida State â The ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, Rhodes is a corner who plays with all of the intensity and physicality of a safety. Heâs going to need some work on his cover skills, but those will come with more reps. A long and lean wide receiver when he arrived in Tallahassee, heâs made 55 tackles and defended 15 passes, including three picks, in his first year as a starter on defense.
Special Teams
PK Nate Freese , Boston College â At a school that struggled all year on offense, Freese was especially valuable to the Eagles. After redshirting in his first season on campus, he grabbed control of the opening at placekicker and has made 20-of-23 field goal attempts and all but one extra point.
P Kirby Van Der Kamp , Iowa State â The nationâs top freshman punter, Van Der Kamp is No. 2 in the Big 12 and No. 12 nationally with a 45-yard average. He has a booming leg and the directional skills to place more than one-third of his 60 punts inside the opponentâs 20-yard line.
Second Team
DE Stansly Maponga , TCU
DT Nikita Whitlock , Wake Forest
DT Akeem Spence , Illinois
DE Tevin Elliott , Baylor
LB Tom Wort , Oklahoma
LB Keith Smith , San Jose State
LB Jelani Jenkins , Florida
CB Ricardo Allen , Purdue
S Cam Gordon , Michigan
S Hakeem Smith , Louisville
CB Tyrann Mathieu , LSU
Special Teams
PK Ross Krautman , Syracuse
P Cody Webster , Purdue
Honorable Mention
DL: Sharrif Floyd, Florida, Demonte McAllister, Florida State, Jordan Kohout, Wisconsin, Amos Draper, Arkansas State Jackson Jeffcoat, Texas, Sam Montgomery, LSU, Hau'oli Jamora, Washington
LB: Kevin Pierre-Louis, Boston College, Shawn Jackson, Tulsa, Khalil Mack, Buffalo, Kelby Brown, Duke
DB: Nickell Robey, USC, Ross Cockrell, Duke, Deron Wilson, Southern Miss, Jarvis Phillips, Texas Tech, Brian Blechen, Utah, Isaiah Johnson, Georgia Tech, Nickoe Whitley, Mississippi State, Marco Nelson, Tulsa, Deone Bucannon, Washington State
PK: Aaron Jones, Baylor, Mitch Ewald, Indiana, Zach Hocker, Arkansas
P: Anthony Fera, Penn State, Harrison Waid, San Jose State, Cole Wagner, Connecticut
