By Mark Pszonak
With the college football regular season nearing its conclusion, plenty of elite true freshmen have made a great first impression. Here are several who excelled during Week 11:
LB C.J. Allen – Georgia
Allen enjoyed his best game of the season during a 52-17 victory over Ole Miss with a team-leading nine tackles, one tackle for a loss and one sack. He came into the game with 12 total tackles this season.
LB Cade Uluave – Cal
Uluave has suddenly become one of the top true freshmen in the PAC 12, as he excelled during his third straight game during a 42-39 victory over Washington State. Against the Cougars he finished with nine tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss, one interception, one forced fumble and two forced fumbles, one of which he returned 51 yards for a touchdown.
LB Everett Roussaw – UAB
Roussaw followed up his best game of the season with eight more tackles during a 31-6 loss at Navy. After totaling 17 tackles in his first eight games, he has 18 in his last two.
LB Anthony Hill Jr. – Texas
As has become the norm, Hill enjoyed another impressive performance during a 29-26 victory at TCU with eight tackles. He is now tied for second on the team with 47 tackles this season.
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DB Caleb Downs – Alabama
Downs finished with seven tackles, which lead the team, during a 49-21 victory at Kentucky. He also added half a tackle for a loss. His 83 tackles currently are fifth highest in the SEC.
DB Dillon Thieneman – Purdue
Yet another game that Thieneman led the Boilermakers in tackles, this time with nine during a 49-30 victory over Minnesota. His 88 tackles currently are third highest in the Big Ten.
DB Ty Bryant – Kentucky
While it came during a 49-21 loss to Alabama, Bryant turned in his third-straight impressive showing with a team-high eight tackles. While the Wildcats’ season has hit the skids, Bryant’s performance has done the opposite.
DB Javien Toviano – LSU
Toviano enjoyed his best collegiate game on Saturday during a 52-35 victory over Florida with 10 tackles, one pass breakup and one fumble receovery. He came into the game with 13 tackles on the season.
DB Khalil Barnes – Clemson
During a 42-21 victory over Georgia Tech, Barnes finished with five tackles, two tackles for a loss and one interception. The interception was his second of the season, which ties him for the team lead.
DB D’Angelo Ponds – James Madison
Ponds continues to be an important part of the Dukes undefeated season during a 44-6 victory over UConn with eight tackles. While he did not have a pass breakup against the Huskies, his season total of 11 is seventh best in the country.
RB Abu Sama – Iowa State
Sama, who has been a steady contributor this season, enjoyed his most successful collegiate game on Saturday night at BYU with 110 yards and two touchdowns on only eight carries. While he is behind Eli Sanders and Cartevious Norton on the depth chart, he has proven to be a reliable weapon this season.
RB Justin Marshall – Colorado State
Playing in his first game of the season, Marshall rushed for 119 yards and one touchdown on 18 carries during a 22-19 victory over San Diego State. With no risk of blowing his redshirt, look for plenty more of him through the end of this season.
WR Eugene Wilson III – Florida
While it came during a 52-35 loss at LSU, Wilson once again was a vital part of the Gators’ offense with six receptions for 63 yards and one touchdown.
WR Prince Strachan – Boise State
With star wide receiver Eric McAlister recently announcing his plans to enter the transfer portal, the Broncos were looking for someone else to step up their game. Against New Mexico that was Strachan, who finished with three receptions for 128 yards and one touchdown.
QB Anthony Colandrea – Virginia
Colandrea was once again the starter for the Cavs on Friday night and responded by completing 20 of 31 passes for 314 yards, one touchdown and one interception during a hard-fought 31-24 loss at Louisville. He also showcased his athleticism by leading the team with 89 yards rushing on 14 carries. He is undoubtedly the quarterback of the future for Virginia.
QB Grayson Loftis – Duke
In his first collegiate start, Loftis completed 16 of 28 passes for 189 yards and three touchdowns during a 47-45 double overtime loss at North Carolina.
QB Kirk Francis – Tulsa
In his first prominent playing time of the season, Francis responded by completing 22 of 34 passes for 345 yards and one touchdown during a tough 24-22 loss at Tulane. It has been a tough season for Tulsa, but they seem to have found a future quarterback.
