The AP All-America team highlights standout athletes, with Travis Hunter and Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts earning repeat first-team honors. Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty achieved a remarkable feat as the only unanimous selection after achieving one of the highest single-season rushing totals in college football history.
This year’s first team features players from 24 different schools, as determined by a panel of AP Top 25 voters. Notably, both Texas and Miami had two representatives each on the prestigious list.
Hunter, who was recently named the AP Player of the Year, stands out as one of the most remarkable two-way college athletes since the 1940s. His accolades include first-team cornerback, first-team all-purpose player, and second-team receiver, showcasing his versatility and skill.
The junior from Suwanee, Georgia, has logged an impressive 1,443 snaps across offense, defense, and special teams in just 12 games, according to Pro Football Focus. He consistently played over 120 snaps in 10 games, peaking at 170 snaps against Texas Tech on November 9. His performance was slightly hindered in two games due to injury.
Having announced his intention to enter the 2025 NFL Draft, Hunter confirmed he would participate in Colorado’s upcoming game against BYU in the Alamo Bowl on December 28.
As a receiver, Hunter concluded the regular season among the nation’s elite, recording 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns. His ability to make big plays is evident, as he leads the country with 21 catches of 20 yards or more.
On the defensive side, he made 31 tackles and ranked among the national leaders with 11 pass breakups and four interceptions. A standout moment came during the Buffaloes’ overtime victory over Baylor, where his hard hit on Dominic Richardson forced a crucial fumble on the final play.
Xavier Watts of Notre Dame has made a significant impact with five interceptions, tying him for the most among safeties, and contributing to six of the Irish’s nation-leading 28 takeaways. His impressive performance against USC included becoming the first Notre Dame player to return an interception 100 yards. With 12 career interceptions, he holds the record for the most by a Notre Dame player since 1996.
Ashton Jeanty from Boise State has made history with his remarkable 2,497 rushing yards, ranking fourth all-time in the Football Bowl Subdivision. He consistently excelled, surpassing the 200-yard mark in six games, and his 29 rushing touchdowns are tied for the national lead.
First-team offense
Wide receivers: Nick Nash, San Jose State, senior, 6-3, 195, Irvine, California; Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona, junior, 6-5, 212, Waimanalo, Hawaii; Xavier Restrepo, Miami, senior, 5-10, 198, Coconut Creek, Florida.
Tackles: Kelvin Banks, Texas, junior, 6-3, 320, Humble, Texas; Will Campbell, LSU, junior, 6-6, 323, Monroe, Louisiana.
Guards: Addison West, Western Michigan, senior, 6-3, 305, Cary, Illinois; Willie Lampkin, North Carolina, senior, 5-11, 290, Lakeland, Florida.
Center: Jake Slaughter, Florida, junior, 6-5, 308, Sparr Florida.
Tight end: Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green, junior, 6-4, 230, Canton, Ohio.
Quarterback: Cam Ward, Miami, senior, 6-2, 223, West Columbia, Texas.
Running backs: Ashton Jeanty, Boise State, junior, 5-9, 215, Jacksonville, Florida; Cam Skattebo, Arizona State, senior, 5-11, 215, Rio Linda, California.
Kicker: Kenneth Almendares, Louisiana-Lafayette, senior, 6-2, 252, Clute, Texas.
All-purpose: Travis Hunter, Colorado, junior, 6-1, 185, Suwanee, Georgia.
First-team defense
Edge rushers: Abdul Carter, Penn State, junior, 6-3, 252, Philadelphia; Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College, senior, 6-2, 247, Williamstown, New Jersey.
Interior linemen: Mason Graham, Michigan, junior, 6-3, 320, Mission Viejo, California; Walter Nolen, Ole Miss, junior, 6-3, 305, Powell, Tennessee.
Linebackers: Jay Higgins, Iowa, senior, 6-2, 232, Indianapolis; Shaun Dolac, Buffalo, graduate, 6-1, 225, West Seneca, New York; Carson Schwesinger, UCLA, junior, 6-2, 225, Moorpark, California.
Cornerbacks: Jahdae Barron, Texas, senior, 5-11, 200, Austin, Texas; Travis Hunter, Colorado, junior, 6-1, 185, Suwanee, Georgia.
Defensive back: Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina, junior, 6-3, 227, Irmo, South Carolina.
Punter: Alex Mastromanno, Florida State, senior, 6-1, 241, Melbourne, Australia.
Second-team offense
Wide receivers: Travis Hunter, Colorado, junior, 6-1, 185, Suwanee, Georgia; Tre Harris, Ole Miss, senior, 6-3, 210, Lafayette, Louisiana; Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State, freshman, 6-3, 215, Miami Gardens, Florida.
Guards: Tyler Booker, Alabama, junior, 6-5, 325, New Haven, Connecticut; Donovan Jackson, Ohio State, senior, 6-4, 320, Cypress, Texas, and Dylan Fairchild, Georgia, junior, 6-5, 315, Cumming, Georgia.
Center: Seth McLaughlin, Ohio State, graduate, 6-4, 305, Buford, Georgia.
Tight end: Tyler Warren, Penn State, senior, 6-6, 261, Mechanicsville, Virginia.
Quarterback: Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, senior, 6-2, 215, Dallas.
Running backs: Omarion Hampton, North Carolina, junior, 6-0, 220, Clayton, North Carolina; Kaleb Johnson, Iowa, junior, 6-0, 225, Hamilton, Ohio.
Kicker: Dominic Zvada, Michigan, junior 6-3, 180, Chandler, Arizona, and Alex Raynor, Kentucky, senior, 6-0, 185, Kennesaw, Georgia.
All-purpose: Desmond Reid, Pittsburgh, junior, 5-8, 175, Miami Gardens, Florida.
Second-team defense
Interior linemen: Derrick Harmon, Oregon, junior, 6-5, 310, Detroit; Alfred Collins, Texas, senior, 6-5, 320, Bastrop, Texas.
Safeties: Malaki Starks, Georgia, junior, 6-1, 205, Jefferson, Georgia; Malachi Moore, Alabama, graduate, 6-0, 201, Trussville, Alabama.
Defensive back: Michael Taaffe, Texas, junior, 6-0, 195, Austin, Texas.
Punter: Brett Thorson, Georgia, junior, 6-2, 235, Melbourne, Australia.
Third-team offense
Tackles: Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon, junior, 6-4, 315, Seattle; Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota, senior, 6-3, 330, Kansas City, Missouri.
Center: Jacob Gardner, Colorado State, graduate, 6-4, 300, Rancho Cucamonga, California.
Tight end: Oronde Gadsden II, Syracuse, junior, 6-5, 236, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Quarterback: Dillon Gabriel, Oregon, graduate, 6-0, 200, Mililani, Hawaii.
Running backs: Dylan Sampson, Tennessee; junior, 5-11, 201, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; RJ Harvey, UCF, senior, 5-9, 208, Orlando, Florida.
Kicker: Ryan Fitzgerald, Florida State, senior, 6-1, 190, Coolidge, Georgia.
All-purpose: Brashard Smith, SMU, 5-10, 196, senior, Richmond Heights, Florida.
Third-team defense
Edge rushers: Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Virginia Tech, senior, 6-3, 252, Portsmouth, Virginia; Mikail Kamara, Indiana, junior, 6-1, 265, Ashburn, Virginia.
Interior linemen: Aeneas Peebles, Virginia Tech, graduate, 6-1, 290, Raleigh, North Carolina; Kenneth Grant, Michigan, junior, 6-3, 339, Gary, Indiana.
Linebackers: Chris Paul Jr., Ole Miss, junior, 6-1, 235, Cordele, Georgia; Barrett Carter, Clemson, senior, 6-1, 230, Suwanee, Georgia; Jalon Walker, Georgia, junior, 6-2, 245, Salisbury, North Carolina.
Cornerbacks: Chandler Rivers, Duke, junior, 5-10, 180, Beaumont, Texas; Will Johnson, Michigan, junior, 6-2, 202, Detroit.
Safeties: Lathan Ransom, Ohio State, graduate, 6-1, 210, Tucson, Arizona; Jalen Catalon, UNLV, senior, 5-11, 205, Mansfield, Texas.
Defensive back: Mello Dotson, Kansas, senior, 6-1, 190, Daytona Beach, Florida.
Punter: Eddie Czaplicki, USC, senior, 6-1, 207, Charlotte, North Carolina.
