As the college football season heads to the bowl games, we can take stock of the top players, including the top newcomers.
The Alabama Crimson Tide and Texas Longhorns -- both College Football Playoff teams -- had true freshmen play significant roles in their runs to the national semifinals. Other Power 5 teams, including the Miami Hurricanes and Nebraska Cornhuskers, found instant starters among their incoming recruits.
After naming ESPN's All-America team, we're also looking at the year's top freshmen.
OFFENSE
QB: Jaylen Raynor, Arkansas State
The North Carolina native passed for 2,293 yards and 15 touchdowns in 10 games. Raynor also rushed for 331 yards and five scores. He's in the top 10 in the Sun Belt in total offense (fifth), passing yards per game (seventh) and pass efficiency (sixth) for a team that finished second in the conference.
RB: Makhi Hughes, Tulane
Hughes is one of only two freshmen with more than 1,000 rushing yards. He had 1,260 yards as part of an offense that averaged 379 yards per game. Hughes had seven 100-yard rushing games and averaged 5.3 yards per carry as the Green Wave finished 11-2.
WR: Eric Singleton, Georgia Tech
The freshman speedster hit the ground running in the new-look Tech offense with quarterback Haynes King quickly targeting Singleton as his go-to target. He posted 47 catches for 706 yards and six TDs.
WR: Kevin Concepcion, NC State
There was a lot of buzz around Concepcion back in August and he more than delivered. He is a jack-of-all-trades as a wide receiver and ball-carrier in the open field. He leads all Power 5 freshmen receivers in catches (64) and yards (767) and all freshmen with 10 touchdown catches.
WR: Tyler Brown, Clemson
It took a few weeks for Brown to get going, but he became one of the most reliable players on Clemson's offense. He provided the explosiveness the Tigers were lacking in the first three weeks of the season. He finished with 51 catches for 519 yards and four TDs.
TE: Brett Norfleet, Missouri
Had Luke Haz at Arkansas not been injured, he likely would have occupied this spot, but Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz is convinced Norfleet is the best freshman tight end in the country, even with modest numbers (17 receptions, 195 yards, 3 TDs).
All-purpose: Zachariah Branch, USC
Aside from Caleb Williams, Branch is the best player on USC's roster and statistically impacted two phases of the game, posting 29 catches for 311 yards and two scores. He had eight carries for 70 yards and a TD, 15 punt returns for 309 yards and 24 kick returns for 448 yards and another score.
OL: Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M
Bisontis, who started nine games at right tackle, flashed a ton of upside for the Aggies, but still needs to get stronger at the point of attack and continue to work his hands.
OL: Francis Mauigoa, Miami
Mauigoa was an instant starter at right tackle and the anchor of a retooled, very dangerous offensive line as he started all 12 games.
OL: Ethan Mackenny, Georgia Tech
A bit of a surprise for the Jackets because it seemed like he would need more time to develop. Instead, he was a big reason for the offensive turnaround. He played in 11 games with 10 starts.
OL: Spencer Fano, Utah
It was only a matter of time before Fano settled in at tackle for the Utes. He has the ability to be a future star after starting 10 games this year.
OL: Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
It was very shaky for the first half of the season for Proctor, but following the Arkansas game, he started to settle in and play the part. He started all 12 games.
DEFENSE
DL: T.J. Parker, Clemson
Parker was far more productive and disruptive through the first few games of the season than his teammate Peter Woods. All season, his presence off the edge created issues for opposing offenses and it began in Week 1 against Duke. He had 31 total tackles, one pass defended and five sacks. He was the 10th-ranked DE in the 2023 class.
DL: Rueben Bain, Miami
Bain was named the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, playing in all 12 games and starting 10. He posted 37 total tackles, 7.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. He was one of 11 players to record multiple two-sack games and the only freshman of the group.
DL: John Walker, UCF
Walker was a huge steal for UCF in last year's recruiting cycle and he didn't disappoint as a part-time starter and frequent contributor this fall. He was not statistically dominant, but he has some real upside to blossom into a disruptive force.
DL: Cameron Lenhardt, Nebraska
Despite missing several games early in the season, Lenhardt still produced at a high level and showed the promise to be a future star. He posted 16 tackles and three sacks, and those numbers likely would have been much higher had he stayed healthy.
LB: Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
Hill was the Big 12 Defensive Rookie of the Year and was one of the most dominant linebackers in all of college football. Not only did he burst on the scene in striking fashion, but he got better as the season went on. He tallied 63 total tackles, two passes defended, a forced fumble and five sacks during the regular season.
LB: Suntarine Perkins, Ole Miss
Perkins had a bit of an up-and-down first campaign with a nagging injury early on, but he flashed the ability to be a dominant player in the future. He is similar to Anthony Hill at Texas. He garnered 36 total tackles and 3.5 sacks.
LB: Taurean York, Texas A&M
York was a stalwart for one of the youngest and most talented defenses in the country. New coach Mike Elko has a terrific nucleus together if he can keep them all. Like Perkins and Hill, York is a designated pass-rusher, with 66 total tackles, three sacks and one forced fumble on the year.
DB: Caleb Downs, Alabama
A dominant starter from Day 1, Downs was the best freshman secondary player the Tide have had since Minkah Fitzpatrick, according to coach Nick Saban. Downs played both safety positions and posted some big numbers: 99 total tackles, three passes defended and two interceptions. He also added a punt return touchdown on special teams.
DB: Jordan Castell, Florida
Castell was a stalwart for the Gators' defense from the moment he arrived on campus. He's a linebacker playing safety and displays great range. He tallied 59 total tackles and one pick.
DB: Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina
Kilgore has a very physical style of play, and in coverage, was really effective on contested downfield throws. He has a linebacker mentality. For a young player, he is very instinctive, posting 76 total tackles, breaking up six passes and causing two turnovers (one fumble, one pick).
DB: Dillon Thieneman, Purdue
The ultimate ballhawk, Thieneman was the true bright spot for a disappointing Purdue team. He was all over the field and isn't just a run-support player. He had 106 total tackles, forced two fumbles and had six interceptions.