Top True Freshman Performances of Week 5

Despite a loss to USC, Colorado wide receiver Omarion Miller was one of many true freshmen who continued to impress during Week 5

Author:
Mark Pszonak
Publish date:
Oct 2, 2023

Despite a loss to USC, Colorado wide receiver Omarion Miller was one of many true freshmen who continued to impress during Week 5

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 5 :

WR Omarion Miller – Colorado

Miller had to wait until the fifth game of the season to make his debut, but it was worth the wait as he finished with seven receptions 196 yards and one touchdown during a 48-41 loss to USC. His emergence gives star quarterback Shedeur Sanders yet another weapon in the Buffs passing game.

WR Tyler Brown – Clemson

Brown has quickly become the top receiver for Clemson, especially after his performance at Syracuse on Saturday when he totaled a team-high nine receptions for 153 yards during a 31-14 victory.

Sep 30, 2023; Syracuse, New York, USA; Clemson receiver Tyler Brown (6) catches a pass near Syracuse defensive back Jason Simmons, Jr. (6) during the third quarter at JMA Wireless Dome.
© Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports

WR Amare Thomas – UAB

Thomas has become a consistent threat for the Blazers, this time finishing with a team-high eight receptions for 99 yards during a 35-23 loss to Tulane.

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WR Eric Singleton – Georgia Tech

After a bit of a down week, Singleton impressed again with four receptions for 85 yards and one touchdown during a 38-27 loss to Bowling Green.

QB Jaylen Raynor – Arkansas State

Arkansas State may have found themselves a star. A week after impressing during his first start, Raynor performed an epic performance during a 52-28 victory over UMass. He completed 20 of 25 passes for 383 yards and six touchdowns during the win, which gets the Red Wolves to 3-2 on the season.

DB Caleb Downs - Alabama

Downs has already had some impressive performances this season, but his best statistical showing game on Saturday against Mississippi State when he finished with 13 tackles and one interception during the victory.

Sep 30, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Caleb Downs (2) steps in and picks off a pass intended for Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Creed Whittemore (85) with Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Malachi Moore (13) on coverage in Davis Wade Stadium at Mississippi State University. Alabama defeated Mississippi State 40-17.
© Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK

DB Jalon Kilgore - South Carolina

Despite a 41-20 loss at Tennessee, Kilgore once again shined with a team-high 15 tackles, one interception and one pass breakup. He has become a vital member of the defensive unit in Columbia.

LB Whit Weeks – LSU

While it was far from an impressive display by the defensive unit during LSU’s 55-49 loss at Ole Miss, Weeks continued to shine. Against the Rebels he finished with nine tackles and 1.5 tackles for a loss.

DL T.J. Parker – Clemson

Parker has become a defensive playmaker for the Tigers, which he continued to do at Syracuse during Saturday’s victory. Against the Orange he finished with five tackles, two tackles for a loss and two sacks as the Tigers rebounded after the loss to Florida State.