By Mark Pszonak
Now that the college football season has begun, everyone can stop projecting and start actually seeing who the top true freshmen in the country will be. Here are some of the true freshmen who excelled during Week 3:
RB Darius Taylor – Minnesota
A week after bursting onto the college football scene, Taylor proved that he is here to stay during a 31-13 loss at North Carolina. He impressed yet again with 138 yards and one touchdown on 22 carries as the Gophers now head back into the Big Ten schedule with a game against Northwestern.
RB Joquez Smith – Temple
Temple may have found their lead running back yesterday during a 41-9 victory over Norfolk State. Smith rushed for 142 yards and one touchdown on 15 carries, and also had one reception for 15 yards and a touchdown.
RB Dylan Edwards – Colorado
Edwards didn’t score a touchdown but was still a major part of the Buffaloes offense with 57 yards rushing and six receptions during the 43-35 double overtime victory over Colorado State.
RB Dawson Pendergrass – Baylor
After receiving only one carry in the first two games, Pendergrass made a statement during a 30-7 victory over LIU with a team-high 21 carries for 111 yards and one touchdown. Richard Reese is the unquestioned lead back for the Bears, but now they have found a new weapon.
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RB Kendrick Raphael – NC State
Raphael became the lead back for the Wolfpack during a 45-7 victory over VMI with 85 yards on 16 carries. With several options in the backfield, it will be interesting to see how his role develops during this season.
QB Dante Moore – UCLA
During an easy 59-7 victory over North Carolina Central, Moore completed 8 of 12 passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns. A much bigger test is coming as the Bruins travel to Utah this Saturday.
QB McCae Hillstead – Utah State
When the Aggies decided to make a change at quarterback in the second quarter during their loss to Air Force, it was Hillstead who got the call. He responded by completing 18 of 27 passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns. It will be interesting to see how Utah State handles the quarterback position through the remainder of the season, but after his audition on Friday night it looks as though Hillstead is a viable option.
QB Keyone Jenkins– FIU
Jenkins continues to impress, this time during a 24-17 victory at UConn. He completed 15 of 27 passes for 284 yards and two touchdowns, while adding a rushing touchdown during the win that moved the Panthers to 3-1 on the season.
QB Kadin Semonza – Ball State
Semonza led the Cardinals to their first win of the season on Saturday after completing 17 of 22 passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns against Indiana State. He is the likely starter for the remainder of the season.
WR London Humphreys – Vanderbilt
Another game and another impressive performance for Humphreys who had three receptions for a team-leading 102 yards and one touchdown. While the Commodores lost 40-37 to UNLV, they’ve established a dangerous passing attack with the help of Humphreys.
WR Kevin Concepcion – NC State
Concepion continues to shine this season for the Wolfpack, this time finishing with seven receptions for 62 yards during a 45-7 victory over VMI. He now leads the team with 16 receptions and 122 yards.
WR Eric Singleton Jr. – Georgia Tech
Singleton continued to impress during a loss at Ole Miss with a team-leading five receptions for 97 yards and one touchdown. His connection with quarterback Haynes King is improving by the week.
WR Tyler Brown – Clemson
The Tigers continue to look for new weapons in the passing game and may have found one on Saturday night during a 48-14 victory over Florida Atlantic. Brown had four receptions coming into the game, and then totaled three receptions for 49 yards and his first two touchdowns of the season against the Owls.
DB Dillon Thieneman – Purdue
With 14 tackles, Thieneman was the team leader for the third straight game during a 35-20 loss to Syracuse. He has become one of the more productive true freshman in the country through three games.
DB Jordan Castell – Florida
Castell has quickly become an important part of the Gators’ defense this season, and on Saturday enjoyed his best game to date with a team-high 10 tackles, along with one pass breakup, during a 29-16 victory over Tennessee.
LB Whit Weeks – LSU
There was plenty of buzz surrounding Weeks heading into the season, and on Saturday against Mississippi State he began to piece everything together. Finishing with a team-high eight tackles, he has fully entrenched himself into the defensive unit at this early point of the season.
