True Freshman Standouts from Week 3 of College Football

Week three in college football saw an increasing number of true freshmen earn key roles on their respective teams, with several making big impacts on Saturday. A true freshman defensive back played a big part in Florida’s upset over Tennessee. a Group of Five quarterback looks to have turned around his team’s offense. A local product scored two touchdowns for Clemson. A true freshman led LSU in tackles in a SEC road win. A former five-star safety earned the start for Oklahoma.

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

True Freshman of the Week: S Jordan Castell – Florida

True freshman safety Jordan Castell was critical in Florida’s 29-16 upset over No. 11 Tennessee. The 6-foot-2 220 pounder tallied 10 tackles and a pass breakup and was excellent in coverage for the Gators. Castell played 66 snaps according to Pro Football Focus – tied for the most on Florida’s defense. He surrendered just one catch on four targets, while primarily lining up as a deep safety against Tennessee’s vertical passing offense. Castell is a smooth, coordinated athlete with outstanding size. He’s made a very quick transition into first-year coordinator Austin Armstrong’s defense and already looks like one of Florida’s best defenders just a few games into his career. Castell ranked as the No. 144 overall prospect in the 2023 On300.

Early on during Saturday’s game it appeared as though one of Castell’s teammates would be a lock True Freshman Standout as well, with wide receiver Tre Wilson racking up six touches on Florida’s first drive. The former On3 five-star left the game with a collarbone injury, but looks to be one of the more dynamic true freshman playmakers we’ve seen early on this season.

QB Keyone Jenkins – FIU

Keyone Jenkins has transformed FIU’s offense since taking over behind center. The Panthers passed for an unbelievable four yards in their season opener against Louisiana Tech. Since Jenkins has been starting, they’ve reeled off three consecutive wins over Maine, North Texas and UConn. The freshman from Miami completed 15 of 27 passes for 284 yards and 2 touchdowns with zero picks, while adding a rushing score in Saturday’s 24-17 victory at UConn.

Jenkins made a number of impressive downfield throws in the game, flashing the live arm and improvisational ability he showed as a senior at Miami Central High School. A one-time Auburn commit, Jenkins ranked as a three-star prospect according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

WR Tyler Brown – Clemson

Clemson has been looking to identify playmakers at receiver the past few weeks and appears to have found some juice in true freshman Tyler Brown. The Greenville, S.C. native had a coming out party in the Tigers’ 48-14 win over Florida Atlantic. Brown scored Clemson’s first offensive touchdown of the game, separating down the seam and tracking the ball over his shoulder for a 30-yard score. He later returned a punt 44 yards and capped off the ensuing drive with a touchdown reception from two yards out.

Brown, who was initially committed to Minnesota as a high school prospect had a big senior season, prompting Clemson to turn up the heat and ultimate flip the local prospect. The yards after catch machine with sub-11.0 second speed in the 100-meters was a four-star outlier for On3, finishing as a On300 prospect.

LB Whit Weeks – LSU

Whit Weeks earned the first start of his college career on Saturday, filling in for senior linebacker Omar Speights who was out with an injury. The true freshman was active in LSU’s 41-14 win at Mississippi State, as he was credited with a team-leading eight tackles. Weeks, who played 41 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus, made his presence felt early with a tackle for loss. The Watkinsville (Ga.) Oconee County product is a reliable tackler in space and should continue to settle into Matt House’s defensive scheme with added experience.

Weeks was a senior riser as a high school prospect, finishing as the No. 110 overall prospect in the 2023 On300.

S Peyton Bowen – Oklahoma

It seems to be a matter of time before Peyton Bowen explodes for Oklahoma’s defense. The former five-star prospect looks to be building considerable momentum on a weekly basis. Bowen earned the first start of his college career on Saturday and logged 48 snaps in the Sooners’ 66-17 win over Tulsa. Bowen was strong in coverage, breaking up two passes, including a beautiful play on third and goal.

The Denton (Texas) Guyer product is part of a group of promising young players in Brent Venables’ defense. An On3 Preseason True Freshman All-American, Bowen is already making big plays on a weekly basis, including a blocked punt against SMU in week two.