More Preseason Honors Continue to Roll In as Expectations Soar for Star Players and Rising Teams Ahead of the 2025 College Football Season
More preseason nods are rolling in, and with them comes a steady surge of anticipation across college football. With kickoff less than a month away, players, coaches, and programs are seeing their summer preparation validated in the form of national award watch lists, preseason All-American selections, and conference recognition. As analysts and voters weigh in on who they believe will shape the 2025 season, the spotlight is growing brighter on some familiar faces—and a few breakout candidates looking to capitalize on the moment.
At the heart of all this preseason buzz is the convergence of returning talent and heightened expectations. Some programs are entering the season with momentum built from strong finishes last year, while others are hoping to leap forward behind the emergence of new stars and experienced leadership. This dynamic makes preseason recognition more than just a collection of media nods; it’s a glimpse into the direction of the sport as a new year dawns.
Quarterbacks, as usual, are dominating many of the preseason headlines. Veterans like Georgia’s Carson Beck, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, and Texas’s Quinn Ewers continue to draw national attention, each landing on various watch lists including the Maxwell, Davey O’Brien, and Walter Camp awards. But perhaps more intriguing are the rising signal-callers from outside the blueblood ranks. Players like Tulane’s Michael Pratt, Kansas’s Jalon Daniels, and South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers are starting to pop up on radars, turning preseason hype into a chance to elevate their programs to national relevance.
It’s not just quarterbacks drawing nods. At nearly every position, competition is fierce for preseason accolades. Running backs like Michigan’s Donovan Edwards and Oregon’s Jordan James have earned nods on the Doak Walker Award watch list, while defensive monsters such as Ohio State’s JT Tuimoloau and LSU’s Harold Perkins Jr. continue to lead early All-American projections. These names are more than just hype—they’re a reflection of who has already produced at a high level and who is expected to deliver again under the brightest lights.
One trend that’s particularly notable this year is the number of underclassmen being recognized. Sophomores like Texas A&M’s Rueben Owens and Florida State’s Hykeem Williams have already landed on preseason watch lists, despite having limited experience at the college level. Their inclusion reflects not only their raw talent, but also the increased willingness of evaluators to project potential over past production. In a transfer-heavy era, young players who flash early are expected to become centerpieces fast, and many of them now carry preseason expectations that rival those of seasoned veterans.
The SEC and Big Ten continue to dominate in terms of total preseason honorees, but the Big 12, ACC, and even the Group of Five are making noise. UCF’s John Walker and SMU’s Preston Stone have both earned attention on national defensive and quarterback lists, respectively, showing that top-tier talent is no longer confined to Power Two rosters. In fact, the growing parity across college football has made it harder than ever to narrow down preseason awards, with voters having to balance brand-name exposure with on-field results.
For coaches, these preseason nods serve as both validation and fuel. When players from their programs earn national recognition, it reinforces internal belief and adds an external sense of credibility. For those trying to build or rebuild, like Matt Rhule at Nebraska or Shane Beamer at South Carolina, these accolades can help shift the perception of a program and create positive momentum on the recruiting trail. A player landing on a watch list or All-Conference team can be the difference in convincing future stars to buy into a vision.
At the same time, some coaches and players would rather avoid the preseason attention altogether. There’s a well-worn cliché in football circles about ignoring the outside noise, and plenty of coaches will preach that preseason awards mean nothing if they aren’t followed by in-season execution. That’s a fair point, especially given how frequently preseason All-Americans fail to meet expectations, whether due to injury, system changes, or simple regression. But in today’s media landscape, recognition can also be a powerful motivator—especially for players looking to build their NFL résumés or cement a college legacy.
There’s also a marketing element at play. Programs are quick to promote their honorees on social media, and award recognition becomes part of the summer content cycle that feeds fan engagement. Graphics featuring players on watch lists or preseason teams are widely circulated, often going viral and building anticipation among fanbases hungry for football. It’s a modern dynamic: preseason recognition is as much about brand-building as it is about football.
Still, amidst the preseason noise, there are a few truths that remain constant. Preseason honors are predictive, not prophetic. They are based on past production, perceived potential, and situational context, not guarantees of performance. For every preseason All-American who ends up winning national awards, there are two or three who quietly fade into the background. The real story of the 2025 season will be told between the lines, not in the headlines of July and August.
That said, the impact of these nods shouldn’t be downplayed. They establish a baseline of expectation. They shape early-season narratives. And they provide a roadmap for who to watch once the games begin. In a sport built on emotion, storylines, and tradition, that kind of framework helps anchor the conversation and gives fans a sense of direction heading into the year.
Take the case of defensive standouts like Penn State’s Abdul Carter or Clemson’s Barrett Carter. Both players have landed on multiple award lists and are being positioned as anchors of elite defenses. That recognition reflects not only their individual talent, but the defensive identities of their programs. When players are placed on preseason shortlists, it also speaks to the schemes they’re operating within and the coaching staffs behind them. A player like Carter isn’t just being recognized for what he’s done—he’s being acknowledged as the symbol of something bigger.
There are also legacy implications tied to these nods. For players entering their final college seasons, being named to a preseason list can be the beginning of a farewell tour. It offers a chance to add one more chapter to a collegiate journey—perhaps ending in awards, NFL buzz, or a national title. In that way, preseason nods are a subtle tribute to the years of work put in behind the scenes. They’re part of the story arc, and they give players a reason to chase greatness one last time.
For fans, this wave of preseason recognition is a clear signal that football is almost here. It bridges the gap between summer speculation and fall intensity. Every time a player from their team lands on a list or earns All-American status, it reinforces belief that this year could be special. Even for programs outside the national spotlight, having a player on a major watch list can bring pride, energy, and attention.
It’s also worth noting the momentum that can build from these early accolades. When players begin the year with national attention, they often draw added scrutiny—but also added opportunity. Media coverage intensifies. Opponents game-plan differently. Scouts pay closer attention. All of it contributes to the broader arc of a season, as early recognition can turn into midseason Heisman buzz, All-Conference campaigns, or NFL Combine invitations.
Ultimately, preseason nods are the appetizer before the real feast begins. They set the stage, but they don’t dictate the outcome. Some players will live up to the billing and become the stars of 2025. Others will fall short, and in their place, new names will rise from obscurity. That’s the beauty of college football: its unpredictability, its passion, its endless supply of stories waiting to be told.
But for now, as July turns to August, there’s something deeply satisfying about seeing the names roll in. It means people are paying attention. It means hard work is being recognized. And most importantly, it means that Saturdays are almost back.
So let the preseason nods keep rolling in. Let the watch lists expand. Let the expectations rise. Because all of it leads to the most beautiful sound in sports—the roar of a crowd on a fall Saturday, echoing across college towns and campuses as a new season unfolds.
