OL Mitch Hyatt, Clemson. (Photo: Jeremy Brevard, USA TODAY Sports)
Around this time last year, they were American Family Insurance ALL-USA football players. Now, they have finished their first regular season in college football and are members of the USA TODAY Freshman All-America team, released Thursday. The freshman team features a collection of first-year talent from each of the five major conferences.
On offense, Mitch Hyatt was the lone person to make both teams. Hyatt, from North Gwinnett (Suwanee, Ga.), was ranked as the No. 3 offensive tackle in the Class of 2015 before beginning his college career.
On defense, three players were both high school ALL-USA and Freshman All-America: Missouri defensive lineman Terry Beckner (East St. Louis, Ill.), Texas linebacker Malik Jefferson (Poteet, Mesquite, Texas) and Southern California defensive back Iman Marshall (Long Beach Poly, Calif.).