Top True Freshman Performances of Week 9
By Mark Pszonak
With the college football season passed the midway point, everyone can stop projecting and start actually seeing who the top true freshmen in the country are. Here are some of the true freshmen who excelled during Week 9:
WR Kevin Concepcion – NC State
After a bye week, Concepcion resumed his impressive season with five receptions for 83 yards and two touchdowns during a big 24-17 victory over Clemson. To showcase his explosiveness he also had two carries for 51 yards.
WR Eric Singleton – Georgia Tech
Singleton had another huge performance during a 46-42 victory over North Carolina. He finished with a team high eight receptions for 117 yards, which now gives him 28 receptions for 472 yards and five touchdowns this season.
WR Eugene Wilson III – Florida
While it came during a 43-20 loss to Georgia, Wilson shined with 11 receptions for 75 yards and one touchdown. He is second on the team with 37 receptions on the season.
Florida Gators wide receiver Eugene Wilson III (3) breaks a tackle from Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Kamari Lassiter (3) during the first half at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL on Saturday, October 28, 2023.
© Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK
WR Tiger Bachmeier – Stanford
Bachmeier pieced together his second straight head-turning game with a team-high 10 receptions for 95 yards during a 42-33 loss to Washington. In his last two games he has 18 receptions for 170 yards and one touchdown.
QB Blake Murphy – Louisiana-Monroe
Starting his second game of the season, Murphy completed 25 of 44 passes for 300 yards and two touchdowns during a 34-24 loss to Arkansas State. Now 0-5 in conference play, the season may be a lost cause for ULM, but at least they have found their quarterback of the future.
QB Jaylen Raynor – Arkansas State
Raynor led the Red Wolves to another win on Saturday night as he completed 15 of 30 passes for 298 yards and one touchdown, while adding a rushing touchdown. His accuracy is still inconsistent, but his potential continues to show.
RB Dawson Pendergrass – Baylor
Pendergrass has shown some glimpses this season, which happened again on Saturday after a few slow weeks. During a 30-18 loss to Iowa State, he rushed for 37 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries and also had three receptions for 39 yards.
Oct 28, 2023; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears running back Dawson Pendergrass (35) runs the ball as Iowa State Cyclones linebacker Gerry Vaughn (32) pursues during the second half at McLane Stadium.
© Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports
TE Nyck Harbor – South Carolina
It was the second straight impactful game for Harbor, as he finished with a team-high six receptions for 59 yards during a 30-17 loss at Texas A&M. However, it may be too little, too late for the Gamecocks as they now sit at 2-6.
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DL Rueben Bain – Miami-Florida
Bain seems to have hit his stride after another dominant performance during a 29-26 victory over Virginia. He finished with seven tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks and one pass breakup during the win.
LB Kamren Robinson – Virginia
Virginia almost pulled off their second straight upset at Miami-Florida, partially due to the play of Robinson who finished with nine tackles and one interception. In his last three games he has totaled 29 tackles, one tackle for a loss and one interception.
LB Anthony Hill Jr. – Texas
Hill continued his steady contribution with five tackles, one tackle for a loss and one pass breakup during a 35-6 victory over BYU. On the season he now has 35 tackles, five tackles for a loss and three sacks.
LB Cade Uluave – Cal
The Golden Bears may have found themselves a defensive playmaker during the last two games. On Saturday he enjoyed his best collegiate performance during a 50-49 loss to USC with 10 tackles, one tackle for a loss, one sack, two pass breakups and one forced fumble. It hasn’t been the greatest season in Berkeley, however young players like Uluave have given fans hope.
Oct 28, 2023; Berkeley, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) fumbles the ball after being hit by California Golden Bears linebacker Cade Uluave (27) during the third quarter at California Memorial Stadium.
© Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
LB Taurean York – Texas A&M
York shined once again, this time against South Carolina, with six tackles and 1.5 tackles for a loss during a 30-17 victory. He is now second on the team with 47 tackles this season.
DB Derek Williams Jr. – Texas
Williams enjoyed his best statistical game of the season with seven tackles and one tackle for a loss during a 35-6 victory over BYU. His steady improvement has come as a nice surprise to everyone in Austin.
DB Ty Bryant – Kentucky
In a 33-27 loss to Tennessee, Bryant finished with a team-high 12 tackles. After a slow start to the season, he has become an important contributor in the secondary.
DB Dillon Thieneman – Purdue
Thieneman has quickly become one of the top defensive players for the Boilermakers, which continued during a 31-14 loss at Nebraska when he finished with a team-high 12 tackles and one tackle for a loss.
DB Raion Strader – Miami-Ohio
Strader continued to be one of the top true freshmen in the MAC with nine tackles and one pass breakup. His play has also steadily improved as the season has progressed.
DB Daiquan White – Eastern Michigan
Similar to Strader above, White has established himself as one of the top true freshmen in the MAC this season. In a 45-21 loss to Western Michigan he finished with two tackles and three pass breakups, giving him 11 on the season which leads the conference.
DB D’Angelo Ponds – James Madison
One of the top young defensive players in the Sun Belt continues to be Ponds, who once again excelled on Saturday night against Marshall with seven tackles and two pass breakups. His 10 pass breakups currently leads the conference and is #4 nationally.
