True Freshman Standouts from Week 4 of College Football

Week four of college football featured perhaps the most loaded slate of big games this season. We saw many true freshman make game-changing plays over the weekend. Two true freshman pass catchers went over 100 yards and two touchdowns. Another Group of Five quarterback earned a starting nod, accounting for five touchdowns in his first full game. A Big Ten true freshman has emerged as one of the most productive running backs in the nation. A former Five-Star Plus+ safety continues to play at a high level in the SEC.

Let’s highlight five true freshmen who stood out on week four of college football.

True Freshman of the Week: WR Kevin Concepcion – NC State

Kevin Concepcion was tabbed as an instant contributor shortly after arriving on campus at NC State. The Charlotte (N.C.) Chambers product has lived up to the hype and looks like the Wolfpack’s top receiver just a few games into his college career. Concepcion had his best game to date with an outstanding showing on Thursday night in NC State’s 24-21 win at Virginia. Concepcion caught six passes for 116 yards and two scores.

This isn’t merely a stat-stuffing situation as true freshman made a number of impressive plays. Concepcion showed the ability to separate at all levels. He came down with a touchdown in the red zone out of the slot, made a phenomenal diving catch over the middle and scored his second touchdown on a sensational long catch and run. Concepcion and Luke Hasz join Colorado’s Dylan Edwards as the only true freshmen to eclipse 100 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a game this season. Concepcion was a three-star in the On3 Industry Ranking.

QB Jaylen Raynor – Arkansas State

Jaylen Raynor drew his first start behind center for Arkansas State and led the Red Wolves to a 44-37 win over Southern Miss. The Kernersville (N.C.) East Forsyth product accounted for five touchdowns in the win. He completed 11 of 21 passes for three touchdowns and one interception. Raynor was also Arkansas State’s leading rusher with 97 yards and two more scores on the ground. The 6-foot, 205-pounder had a number of high-level plays both as a passer and rusher. He pushed the ball vertically and looked at home working from the pocket and outside of the offensive structure. The dual threat ability was also evident as a he ripped off a long touchdown run.

Raynor was a significant high three-star outlier for On3 and was ranked as one of the top Group of Five quarterback signees in the 2023 cycle. He turned in a huge senior season, totaling 4,203 yards and 57 total touchdowns against just three interceptions in his final prep campaign.

RB Darius Taylor – Minnesota

Similar to Quinshon Judkins last season, I have the feeling Darius Taylor will be a mainstay in this feature on a weekly basis. The Walled Lake (Mich.) Walled Lake Western product had another big game, carrying the ball 31 times for 198 yards and two scores in a loss to Northwestern. He also added three catches for 18 yards. Taylor is a strong, instinctual runner and showed his tackle-breaking ability on a long touchdown run on 4th and 1 in the third quarter. The Golden Gophers went on to blow a 31-10 lead in the fourth quarter, but Taylor’s showing was certainly a bright spot. The true freshman is currently second nationally in rushing with 532 yards and leads the nation in rushing yards per game (133).

Taylor rose in On3’s rankings as a senior on the heels of a big season that saw him rush for 2,450 yards and 36 touchdowns while averaging 9.1 yards per carry. He finished as the the No. 275 overall prospect in the 2023 On300.

TE Luke Hasz – Arkansas

Luke Hasz is emerging as a favorite target of Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson just a few games into his career. The true freshman from Bixby, Oklahoma had a big night in Arkansas’ 34-31 loss at LSU. Hasz showed strong awareness in leaking downfield on a broken play, before being found by Jefferson for a touchdown from 59 yards out. The second touchdown tied the game with around five minutes left in the fourth quarter after Hasz worked out into the flats from across the formation before walking in untouched. The 6-foot-2.5, 240-pounder ranked as the No. 212 overall prospect in the 2023 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

S Caleb Downs – Alabama

Caleb Downs entered the season as lock for On3’s Preseason True Freshman All-American Team. The true freshman has emerged as a stalwart in Alabama’s secondary, just a few games into his college career. Downs turned in arguably the best game of his young career on Saturday in Alabama’s 24-10 win over Ole Miss. Downs notched 6 tackles and a pass breakup on his only target in 67 snaps. The former Five-Star Plus+ prospect was Alabama’s second highest-rated defender according to Pro Football Focus. He’s an active defender in coverage and against the run and is a sound tackler in space.

Downs ranked as the No. 8 overall prospect and No. 1 safety in the 2023 On300.