Today: On3 All-American teams, why Notre Dame's pain is temporary, and conference championship ratings.

~6.5 minute read (1,611 words)

If this email was forwarded to you, please subscribe.

NCAA FOOTBALL

2025 On3 College Football All-America Team

The 12 teams that will duke it out in the 2025 College Football Playoff were announced Sunday, and to nobody's surprise, there was very little controversy.

Ok, maybe a little.

We expect nothing less at On3 as we unveil our 2025 All-America Team. The selections were made in collaboration with coaches, NFL scouts, and media across the country. Indiana and Ohio State, the top two seeds in the playoff, lead all programs with a combined 14 first- or second-team picks. Below are highlights from the full All-America roster, which can be viewed here.

Offense

QB Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt: Quarterback was the most difficult position to evaluate, but no player had a greater impact on his team. Pavia led Vanderbilt to the first 10-win season in school history and finished first among Power Four players with 4,018 yards of total offense. He accounted for 36 touchdowns, including 27 passing and nine rushing, and was the heart of the Commodores' breakthrough season.

RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame: Love's blend of strength, balance, and acceleration made him one of the sport's most electric players. He rushed for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns and led all FBS players with more than 160 attempts by averaging 6.89 yards per carry. His explosiveness and efficiency were unmatched across Power Four competition.

WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State: For the second straight year, Smith was the most dynamic player in college football. The 6-foot-3, 223-pound sophomore showcased elite separation, hands, and body control while leading Ohio State with 80 receptions for 1,086 yards and 11 touchdowns. He would have been the top pick in last year's NFL Draft if eligible and would be again this year.

TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon: With Oregon battling significant injuries at wide receiver, Sadiq emerged as the focal point of the passing game. He led the Ducks with 40 receptions, and his eight touchdown catches led all FBS tight ends. At 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, he is also a force as a blocker.

OT Spencer Fano, Utah: A multi-year All-American and the premier offensive tackle in college football, Fano did not allow a sack or quarterback hit on 382 pass-blocking snaps. His consistency at right tackle remains one of Utah's greatest strengths.

Defense

EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech: Bailey was one of the most disruptive defenders in the country. He recorded 17.5 tackles for loss and led all Power Four players with 13.5 sacks. His arrival from Stanford transformed Texas Tech's defense and played a major role in the Red Raiders' playoff run.

OLB Arvell Reese, Ohio State: Reese developed into one of the sport's most disruptive hybrid defenders. He finished second on Ohio State's roster with 62 tackles, including 10 for loss, and will likely be a top-five NFL Draft pick in 2026.

LB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech: Rodriguez delivered a Heisman-caliber defensive season. He led all FBS players with seven forced fumbles, added four interceptions, and totaled 117 tackles while anchoring one of the nation's most improved defenses.

S Caleb Downs, Ohio State: Downs won the Lott Impact Trophy for his all-around impact. He consistently delivered in coverage and in the open field, establishing himself as one of the most complete safeties in college football.

PK Tate Sandell, Oklahoma: Yes, Sandell rocks the short shorts, but he has a booming left leg and was a big reason the Sooners made the Playoff. He converted 23 of 24 field-goal attempts and went 7-for-7 from 50 yards or longer.

Check out the full first- and second-team rosters here.

NCAA FOOTBALL

2025 On3 True Freshman All-American Team

With the 2025 regular season complete, On3 has released its True Freshman All-American Team. Miami WR Malachi Toney and LSU CB DJ Pickett lead the way as the offensive and defensive true freshmen of the year. This condensed snapshot focuses on several of the most impactful true freshmen of the season. You can read the full breakdown here.

Offense

WR Malachi Toney, Miami, Offensive True Freshman of the Year: Few true freshmen were more consistently productive than Malachi Toney. He opened with a statement performance against Notre Dame and closed as one of the country's most reliable weapons. Toney finished with 84 receptions for 970 yards and seven touchdowns, the most receiving yards of any true freshman and tied for the most touchdown catches. He also threw two touchdown passes, rushed for one score, and totaled 350 yards after the catch with an average depth of target of 6.6. His late reclassification makes his debut season even more impressive.

QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, Cal: JKS quickly became one of the nation's breakout quarterbacks. He threw for 3,117 yards and 17 touchdowns, leading all true freshmen in passing yards and tying for the most passing touchdowns. He delivered upset wins over Louisville and SMU and earned True Freshman of the Week honors four times. His arm talent and composure have made him the focal point of the Cal offense.

RB Caleb Hawkins, North Texas: Hawkins drove the nation's highest scoring attack while emerging as one of the most productive running backs in the country. He led all true freshmen with 1,233 rushing yards and paced the nation with 23 rushing touchdowns. He averaged 6.2 yards per carry and ranked third nationally with 907 yards after contact. His power and downhill speed consistently overwhelmed defenders.

WR Dakorien Moore, Oregon: Moore was one of the most explosive young playmakers on a per-game basis. Before a knee injury, he posted 28 receptions for 443 yards and three touchdowns, plus 49 rushing yards and another score. His elite speed and ball skills made him an immediate vertical threat for Oregon.

OL Michael Fasusi, Oklahoma: Fasusi secured the starting left tackle job early and validated his Five-Star Plus+ rating. In nearly 600 snaps, he allowed only two sacks on 343 pass plays and graded among the best run-blocking true freshmen in the country.

Defense

CB DJ Pickett, LSU, Defensive True Freshman of the Year: Pickett delivered the most complete freshman season among the nation's young cornerbacks. He tied for the national lead among true freshmen with three interceptions and did not allow a touchdown or deep ball in man coverage. He added six pressures, two sacks, and 11 stops. His size and physical tools give LSU a future star.

EDGE Zahir Mathis, Maryland: Mathis formed college football's most productive freshman pass-rushing duo alongside Sidney Stewart. Mathis recorded 31 pressures and five sacks while consistently disrupting plays with length and athleticism. Stewart was also selected and finished with 40 pressures and five sacks.

LB Mason Posa, Wisconsin: Posa was one of the top young defenders in the Big Ten. He totaled 61 tackles, four tackles for loss, four sacks, three pass breakups, and two forced fumbles in 363 snaps. His 11-tackle, 2.5-sack performance in the win over Washington highlighted his versatility and instincts.

CB Dijon Lee, Alabama: Lee emerged as a reliable starter in Alabama's secondary. He played 518 snaps, intercepted two passes, broke up four more, and allowed only 12 completions on 26 targets for 195 yards and one touchdown. His size and fluid movement could make him the next standout in Alabama's long line of top cornerbacks.

See the full True Freshman All-American roster here.

NCAA FOOTBALL

Marcus Freeman's elite 2026 recruiting class is a reminder Notre Dame's pain is merely temporary

Last Wednesday must feel more like a year ago in Notre Dame's world. Before the Irish were shockingly left out of the College Football Playoff, declined an invitation to the Pop-Tarts Bowl, and became the prime story in the sport, Marcus Freeman was sitting on the set of the Today Show. He was smiling and joking, not a care in the world.

It was National Signing Day, a day usually filled with stress for coaches, but Freeman knew his class was wrapped up. He did not have to make frantic calls to prospects or worry that his class would fall apart. Instead, dressed in a sharp plaid sports coat and light blue shirt, he was on national television promoting his program and flashing his lovable smile. Back in South Bend, signatures poured in for his 2026 class. Notre Dame signed 27 prospects, including four five-star recruits, and finished with the No. 2 class behind USC. Not a single player decommitted.

That is how consistent winners are built. Notre Dame is recruiting like a true superpower, fulfilling the promise that accompanied Freeman's hiring. Disappointment is widespread in the fan base right now. These seasons happen, even for elite programs. Sometimes it is winter, cold and grey. Sometimes it is summer, bright and promising. Given the way Notre Dame has accumulated talent, there is no reason to believe this winter will last long.

There is also good reason for the frustration. Though the final CFP bracket was correct, Notre Dame has a valid gripe with the way it was delivered. For more than a month, the CFP Committee told the Irish they were better than Miami. Then it pulled the rug out in the final reveal. It felt unnecessary and borderline cruel, which is why Notre Dame feels used as a prop in a reality show.

But the calendar is about to turn, and focus will shift to next season. Even with the loss of Heisman finalist Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame will be strong. CJ Carr took major steps this season, and the roster is adding a haul of elite high school players at a time when true freshmen are contributing more than ever.

Freeman and his staff also rewrote the narrative about Notre Dame's ability to land top prospects. After years of losing battles for five-star recruits, he kept pushing and rebuilt the brand. Now high school players view Notre Dame as a national contender again. That makes a program dangerous.

The 2026 class features four five-star prospects and six more ranked in the top 150. It is an elite group, the kind that makes a national title feel within reach. During his Today Show interview, Freeman was asked if he plans to be back next season.

"Oh, yeah," he said.

Will Notre Dame be back in the national title game if Freeman stays the course?

Oh, yeah. Maybe as soon as next year.

Read Wasserman's full column here.

🚨Headlines

SPORTS BUSINESS

Conference championship games still draw massive ratings

Conference championship weekend brought plenty of storylines. Teams completed their College Football Playoff resumes, and the Big Ten emerged as the big TV ratings winner of the weekend.

An average of 18.3 million people tuned in to FOX as Indiana took down Ohio State at Lucas Oil Stadium. That made it the most-watched game of conference championship weekend, and FOX said it's also the most-watched Big Ten Championship on record, peaking at 19.99 million viewers.

The Big Ten topped the SEC Championship, which saw Georgia dominate Alabama en route to a 28-7 victory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. ABC drew 16.9 million viewers on average for the standalone game on Saturday afternoon, becoming the third-most-watched SEC title game ever as the Bulldogs secured a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff.

For more like this, subscribe to the On3 NIL and Sports Business Newsletter.

ABC had four marquee conference title games between Friday and Saturday while looking to continue its dominant run in TV ratings this college football season. The American Conference title game between Tulane and North Texas was effectively a CFP play-in game on Friday night as the Green Wave brought home the title. That matchup averaged 2.4 million viewers.

Then, the stage was set for Saturday as ABC aired a tripleheader of conference championships. Texas Tech cruised past BYU once again as the Red Raiders brought home their first Big 12 title in the early game on Saturday. An average of 9.0 million viewers tuned in, the most for the game since 2022, as Texas Tech blended big plays with staunch defense to get the 34-7 win at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

Finally, Saturday night saw the ACC go head-to-head with the Big Ten Championship as Duke and Virginia squared off in Charlotte. ABC brought in 3.9 million viewers as the five-loss Blue Devils held off the Cavaliers in overtime to secure the ACC title and, as a result, keep UVA out of the College Football Playoff.

In addition, the Sun Belt Championship hit 1.1 million viewers on ABC for its Friday night slot. That made it the most-watched Sun Belt game this year as James Madison won the league.

Conference championship weekend followed a strong college football season for TV ratings. Viewership was up 2% during the regular season, according to Nielsen Big Data + Panel data, and Ohio State played in the two most-watched games of the year. The biggest came in Week 14 as the Buckeyes got their first victory over Michigan since 2019 and helped them punch their ticket to the Big Ten title game.

Read the full story.

TRIVIA

Now here's a guy...

Below, you'll find 3 facts about a random college football player. You'll try to guess who the player is based on the facts. Let's go.

I played my entire college career at FIU, where I became the school's all-time leader in most categories, including receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.
As a freshman, I scored touchdowns five different ways and averaged more than 180 all-purpose yards per game, eventually earning Sun Belt Freshman Player of the Year honors.
I went on to become a four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver known for my deep speed and big-play production with the Indianapolis Colts.

Answer at the bottom.

SHAREWORTHY