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True Freshman Standouts from Week 14 of College Football

charles power hsby:Charles Power•12/02/24•

CharlesPower

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The final week of the regular season saw several true freshmen step up and make big plays in rivalry games throughout college football. Two running backs from Louisville went over 100 yards, a quarterback threw for over 450 yards in his first start, two former Five-Star Plus+ had big outings in rivalry games along with several more notable showings.

Let’s highlight some true freshmen who stood out in week fourteen of college football.

True Freshman of the Week: RB Isaac Brown – Louisville

Isaac Brown and fellow true freshman Duke Watson ran all over Kentucky in Louisville’s 41-14 win over Kentucky. Brown scored Louisville’s first and last touchdowns and finished the game with 178 yards on 26 carries. He continued to show outstanding vision and feet, picking his way through the line of scrimmage. The Homestead (Fla.) High product’s compact run style and contact balance were on display as he picked up 115 yards after contact, according to Pro Football Focus. Brown’s biggest play of the game came in the fourth quarter, as he reached the second level and outraced the Kentucky secondary for a 67-yard touchdown, putting the game on ice.

The big game put Brown at 1,074 rushing yards for the season, making him the first Louisville freshman to eclipse the 1,000 yard mark. The former three-star prospect looks to be a budding star for the Cardinals.

2. QB Micah Alejado – Hawaii

With starter Brayden Schager out with injury, Hawaii turned to Micah Alejado. The true freshman went nuclear in his first collegiate start, completing 37 of 57 passes for 468 yards and five touchdowns with zero interceptions in a 38-30 win over New Mexico. The game looked to be moving relatively slow for the 5-foot-10, 180-pounder, which is saying a ton given his lack of collegiate experience. Alejado got the ball out quick and on target. He looked to have good timing with the Hawaii wide receivers, connecting on several deep balls. We also saw him flash some mobility, rushing for 54 yards. Alejado was a prolific passer at Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman, finishing his prep career with 9,233 yards and 125 touchdowns against four interceptions.

3. LB Sammy Brown – Clemson

Sammy Brown had a strong outing in Clemson’s 17-14 loss to South Carolina. The true freshman finished with 9 tackles, 1 sack and 1.5 tackles for loss, despite not seeing as many snaps in the second half of the game. When Brown was on the field, he made an impact for the Tigers, using his athleticism and strength to corral South Carolina’s physical rushing attack. The former Five-Star Plus+ ran down South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers on a long run early in the game, saving a potential touchdown. Brown finishes the regular season as with the second most tackles for loss (10.5) and sacks (5) on Clemson’s roster.

4. QB CJ Bailey – NC State

CJ Bailey had some late-game heroics in NC State’s 35-30 win over North Carolina. The true freshman engineered a game-winning two-minute drill, highlighted by a 44-yard deep ball to Noah Rogers that set up the go-ahead touchdown. Bailey made several more impressive plays over the course of the game, showing good improvisational skills along with the ability to hit downfield passes from inside the pocket. The Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna product completed 14 of 20 passes for 242 yards, two touchdowns and one interception and rushed for 54 more yards. Bailey wraps up his strong inaugural season leading all true freshmen in passing touchdowns (14).

5. WR Cam Coleman – Auburn

Cam Coleman has played at a high level over the past several weeks and continued to show his elite talent in the Iron Bowl. The former Five-Star Plus+ prospect scored Auburn’s lone offensive touchdown in the 28-14 loss. Coleman got behind Alabama corner and fellow true freshman Zabien Brown and skied to high-point the pass, making it nearly impossible for Brown to make a play on the ball.

Coleman finished the game with seven caches for 78 yards and the touchdown. On3’s No. 3 overall prospect in the 2024 cycle, Coleman has had a strong finish to his true freshman season with 206 yards and eight touchdowns over the past three games. He was named On3’s True Freshman of the Week last week following a huge game against Texas A&M.

6. RB Duke Watson – Louisville

Duke Watson and Isaac Brown were a very formidable 1-2 punch in Louisville’s romp over Kentucky. Watson popped the first big run of the game, ripping off a 58-yard touchdown early in the second quarter. The true freshman got to the second level untouched and showed very good speed to pull away from the Kentucky secondary. He found the end zone again late in the third quarter, showing good speed in getting to the edge and racing in from 24 yards out. Watson finished the game with 104 yards and two touchdowns on six carries. Louisville ran for a remarkable 358 yards on Kentucky. Given his breakout showing, Cardinals fans have to be very excited about the prospect of having Watson alongside Brown in the backfield next season.

7. DL Dominick McKinley – LSU

Dominick McKinley flashed the talent that made him a Five-Star Plus+ prospect in LSU’s 37-17 win over Oklahoma. The 6-foot-5, 315-pounder was highly disruptive while he was on the field. McKinley showed his interior pass rush ability, generating two sacks. He also added three stops, according to Pro Football Focus. All of that production came in just 17 snaps. The breakout game gives the talented true freshman positive outing to use as a springboard into bowl practice and the offseason.

8. CB Leonard Moore – Notre Dame

Notre Dame had several true freshmen turn in strong outings in the Fighting Irish’s 49-35 win over USC from inside the Coliseum. Cornerback Leonard Moore led the way. The 6-foot-2, 191-pounder had two pass breakups and allowed just two catches on 10 targets for 27 yards, according to Pro Football Focus. The lone blemish came on a meaningless touchdown with 13 seconds remaining in the game. Moore looks to be the latest strong evaluation story at corner for Notre Dame assistant Mike Mickens. In addition to Moore, EDGE Bryce Young and offensive tackle Anthonie Knapp also had strong outings for the Irish.