True Freshman Standouts from Week 3 of College football

Week three of college football saw a large number of true freshmen make big plays on Saturday. A speedy running back had a breakout game in SEC play, two former On3 Industry five-star receivers showed their big-play ability, two signal callers who threw for over 200 yards, a dangerous pass rusher, an improving left tackle and a linebacker who made a handful of big plays.

With that said, let’s highlight some true freshmen who stood out on week two of college football.

True Freshman of the Week: RB Caden Durham – LSU

LSU’s ailing run game may have found a spark in the form of running back Caden Durham. The true freshman was a revelation in the Tigers’ tight 36-33 win at South Carolina. Durham rushed for 98 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries against an experienced Gamecocks defense. The first touchdown came on a draw play from 26 yards out, to put LSU on the board. Durham found pay dirt again in the third quarter to bring the Tigers within two points of South Carolina.

The Duncanville (Texas) High product entered college largely known as a home run hitter with elite straight line speed. He consistently broke off long touchdown runs at the prep level and ran the 100 meters in the 10.4 second range. On Saturday, Durham showed there’s more to his game. He displayed excellent contact balance and tackle breaking ability. He forced seven missed tackles and had 50 yards after contact according to Pro Football Focus. If Saturday is any indication, the Tigers may have their best most promising running back in several seasons. Durham ranked as the No. 116 overall prospect in the 2024 On300. He rushed for over 2,000 yards and 35 touchdowns as a senior at Duncanville.

2. WR Ryan Williams – Alabama

Ryan Williams continues to look like one of the more dynamic pass catchers in college football. The 17-year-old true freshman has shown a penchant for delivering big plays at opportune times early on in his college career. That was the case on Saturday, with Williams scoring Alabama’s first touchdown on the road at Wisconsin. With Alabama trailing 3-0 and facing 3rd and 7, Williams was able to stack the Badger corner off the line of scrimmage and gain separation before tracking Jalen Milroe’s throw over his shoulder for an impressive touchdown. The former Five-Star Plus+ prospect continued to make plays over the course of the game, finishing with four catches for 78 yards, one touchdown and a 20 yard punt return. Through three games, Williams has 285 receiving yards and four touchdowns (tied for fourth nationally) on just 10 catches.

3. WR Ryan Wingo – Texas

In what has long appeared to be a ridiculous crop of wide receiver talent, Texas’ Ryan Wingo is not to be forgotten. The Saint Louis native was on the receiving end of several long passes from Arch Manning in the Longhorns’ 56-7 romp over UTSA. Wingo got behind the defense early on in the third quarter for a 75-yard catch-and-run touchdown. He also later made an impressive contested catch on a deep out-breaking route. In addition to providing a vertical threat, Wingo has been an reliable target, showing strong hands. The No. 38 overall prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking currently has the second most receiving yards for Texas, with 197.

4. QB Isaac Wilson – Utah

With seventh-year starting quarterback Cam Rising out with injury, Utah turned to true freshman Isaac Wilson against Utah State. The in-state product and younger brother of former BYU star and No. 2 draft pick, Zach Wilson, delivered in his first start by leading the Utes to a 38-21 win. Wilson and Utah faced some adversity early on, trailing 10-0 in the first quarter. The true freshman responded, throwing two touchdown passes over the middle of the field and another off of play-action on the goal line. Wilson completed 20 of 33 passes for 239 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. Rising is reportedly set to be back next week for the contest with Oklahoma State, but the former four-star’s performance provided a glimpse of the future of the position in Salt Lake City.

5. EDGE Colin Simmons – Texas

Through three games, Colin Simmons already looks like Texas’ best pass rusher. The former Five-Star Plus+ prospect continued his strong play against UTSA, registering six tackles, one sack and two tackles for loss. He also affected the quarterback on several plays, notching three pressures according to Pro Football Focus. On the sack, Simmons showed impressive ability to dip and bend around the edge. The 6-foot-3, 245-pounder is seemingly getting better every week, a scary proposition for future Texas opponents.

6. QB Dylan Raiola – Nebraska

Dylan Raiola and Nebraska continue to roll on starting the 2024 season. The Husker legacy had another strong outing, completing 17 of 23 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. Raiola hit Isaiah Neyor over the middle for an 18-yard score in the first quarter. He later made an impressive off-script play, making a blitzer miss before finding an open receiver downfield. Raiola continues to play at an efficient clip and looks advanced in terms of his understanding of the Nebraska offense.

7. OT Jordan Seaton – Colorado

Much has been made of the Colorado offensive line to this point in the season. The Buffs offensive front, including true freshman left tackle Jordan Seaton, showed some improvement in their 28-9 win over in-state rival Colorado State. Seaton had his best game of the season to date, surrendering just one pressure in 56 pass blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. Starting at left tackle in Power 4 football is notoriously tough for true freshmen, so bumps are expected along the way. With that said, the former five-star’s improvement and overall play against Colorado State is certainly notable.

8. LB Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa – Notre Dame

Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa turned in one of the better true freshman performances along the defensive side of the ball in week three. The inside linebacker was credited with three assists, one sack and interception in Notre Dame’s route of Purdue. Viliamu-Asa’s interception came in the fourth quarter off of a tipped pass. The On3 Preseason True Freshman All-American has already flashed on multiple occasions for the Irish this season, showing the instincts and propensity for being around the football that made him a four-star prospect.