Indiana's Byron Baldwin named to 247Sports 2025 preseason True Freshman All-America Team

The 247Sports and CBS Sports team released its preseason true freshman All-America team for the 2025 season and the four-star defensive back Byron Baldwin made an appearance on the list. 

Baldwin was the only Hoosiers player among the first-year athletes "expected to make an immediate impact" based on conversations with sources across the country. 

Here is what 247Sports Chris Hummer had to say about the superstar incoming freshman safety:

Byron Baldwin Jr., Indiana safety

Top247 Rank: No. 21 

"The top-ranked recruit from the Hoosiers' 2025 class, Baldwin comes from a high school football factory at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore and showed up at Indiana ready to play. He's been excellent all fall camp for the Hoosiers and is very much in position to contribute. His role could grow, too, depending on the status of Indiana safety , who will have a hearing about his eligibility for 2025 on Aug. 27. Either way, the 6-foot-2, 194-pound Baldwin will contribute this year."

The Baltimore Maryland native out of Saint Frances Academy is the No. 188 overall prospect and No. 17 safety in the 2025 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking for the class of 2025.

In two years as a starter at Saint Frances he had 168 tackles, 7 pass breakups, 4 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles.

Byron Baldwin verbally committed to the Indiana Hoosiers back in April of 2025, when he committed to IU over Colorado, Penn State, Minnesota, Kentucky and others.  He was the top-ranked player in Indiana's 2025 class.

"“You really don’t count on freshmen helping your team,” but he has a freshman who is ready to compete—and compete right away."

Curt Cignetti on Baldwin

Baldwin has looked great in camp this off-season, he's thrived in footwork and coverage drills. Baldwin worked with the first unit when the defense has done full-team drills. That’s rare for a freshman.

Other notable names on 247Sports' 2025 True Freshman All-America Team included quarterback Bryce Underwood (Michigan) ,Dakorien Moore wide receiver (Oregon), David Sanders Jr offensive tackle (Tennessee), Sidney Stewart edge rusher (Maryland), cornerback Devin Sanchez (Ohio State) and edge rusher Elijah Griffin (Georgia).