At this point everyone knows the names of highly publicized true freshmen like Bryce Underwood (Michigan), Dakorien Moore (Oregon) and Gideon Davidson (Clemson). Players like this will make an immediate impression on the 2025 college football season. However, for other true freshmen, they may not have been household names but have quickly proven themselves as difference makers.
Here are five who have impressed throughout the off-season and will be heard of in 2025:
QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (Cal)
The skinny: Considering Ohio State transfer Devin Brown was signed to start in Berkeley, yesterday’s announcement that the true freshman had surpassed him was a surprise to many. It has been known that the two were in a heated competition, but most believed that Brown would start the season and then give way to Sagapolutele if/when things went sideways for the Cal offense. The Golden Bears didn’t want to wait though and have seen enough to hand the offense over to the true freshman.
QB Bear Bachmeier (BYU)
The skinny: With the transfer of star quarterback Jake Retzlaff to Tulane in July, this has been an extremely tumultuous off-season for the Cougars. As a result of the chaos, it is looking increasingly likely that the Cougars will turn to a true freshman to lead their offense in 2025. What makes this even more unique is that Bachmeier wasn’t a part of the BYU roster until May. He had signed with Stanford, but after the sudden dismissal of head coach Troy Taylor in March, his transfer led him to Provo. Now he may be the starter for the Cougars when they host Stanford on September 6th.
OL John Mills (Washington)
The skinny: Offensive line is arguably the toughest position to make an immediate impact at as a true freshman. Especially at a conference like the Big Ten. But Mills has continually made his presence felt since he arrived in Seattle during the winter. Currently he is in a position battle with redshirt freshman Paki Finau for the starting left guard spot. This battle is trending in Mills’ favor, so don’t be surprised to see him trot onto the field with the first team when the Huskies host Colorado State next Saturday night.
WR Lebron Bond (Indiana)
The skinny: After an impressive spring that culminated with four receptions for 29 yards and one touchdown in the spring game, Bond has continued to impress this summer. While the Hoosiers aren’t lacking talent at the position, with preseason All-American Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr. returning, Bond has done more than enough to find his way on the field in 2025. Head coach Curt Cignetti’s offense was dynamic in 2024, and with Bond as part of the arsenal, it shouldn’t miss much of a beat this season.
RB Marquise Davis (Missouri)
The skinny: With the off-season addition of Ahmad Hardy (Louisiana-Monroe), one of the more dynamic young running backs in the portal, the Tigers had quickly solidified their backfield. What wasn’t expected was that Davis would arrive on campus and turn heads immediately. This is a good problem for the Tigers to have as it will give them the ability to rest Hardy while giving Davis important reps throughout the season. It will be interesting to see how many reps Davis earns as the SEC schedule progresses.
