Eight TCU freshmen were named Freshman All-Americans by CollegeFootballNews.com.

Defensive end Devonte Fields, the National Defensive Freshman of the Year and the Associated Press Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, made the first team while safety Chris Hackett and defensive tackle Davion Pierson were placed on the second team.

The Frogs had five freshmen earn honorable-mention honors including quarterback Trevone Boykin, wide receiver LaDarius Brown, offensive tackle Aviante Collins, punter Ethan Perry and placekicker Jaden Oberkrom.

Fields led the Big 12 in tackles for loss (17.5) and ranked second in sacks (9.0) behind Kansas State’s Meshak Williams (9.5). Hackett recorded 54 tackles, which was fifth on the team and the most for a freshman since Jason Phillips (71) and Robert Henson (69) in 2005.

Pierson’s six tackles for loss were tied for fourth on the team.

TCU tied with Texas for having played the most true freshmen (16) this season. The Frogs also tied with LSU and North Carolina for the lead in the most true and redshirt freshmen (28) playing this season.

The Frogs led the Big 12 in total defense and ranked No. 18 nationally with only one senior, linebacker Kenny Cain, on the defensive depth chart.

TCU’s freshmen have a combined 33 starts, which ranked No. 3 nationally. TCU was also fourth with 21 players making their first career starts in 2012.

This season, freshmen or sophomores made up nearly 70 percent of the players who played for TCU.