True Freshman Standouts from Week 5 of College Football

Saturday of week five was a banner day for true freshmen across the college football landscape. Dozens of true freshmen made massive plays, helping their respective teams to wins. Two former Five-Star Plus+  receivers made statements as two of the sport’s top young talents, just a few games into their college careers. A running back in the SEC exploded for over 200 yards. A freshman pass rusher continued his early season tear. Two true freshman signal callers led their teams to road wins in conference play.

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

True Freshman of the Week: WR Ryan Williams – Alabama

A true freshman stole the show in Alabama’s instant classic win over Georgia. Crimson Tide wideout Ryan Williams introduced himself to the nation, by way of a dominant performance that featured late-game heroics and the play of the weekend across college football. After Georgia battled back from a 28-0 deficit to take a 34-33 lead with 2:31 left in the game, Williams made an absolutely unbelievable individual play on deep pass from Jalen Milroe. The true freshman from Saraland, Alabama effortlessly tracked Milroe’s throw to his back shoulder, while spinning in air. Upon landing, Williams spun again, evading two Georgia defensive backs, before racing to the end zone for the game-winning touchdown from 75 yards out.

RYAN WILLIAMS ARE YOU SERIOUS🤯🤯🤯

Alabama retakes the lead over Georgia pic.twitter.com/uVXuoa2BYO

— On3 (@On3sports) September 29, 2024

Williams, who finished with six catches for 177 yards and the touchdown, made a number of other impressive plays over the course of the top five matchup. His downfield separation, tracking skills and lethal ability after the catch make him one of college football’s best skill players just a few games into his career at Alabama. Williams, who reclassified to the 2024 class, does not turn 18 years-old until February. “Ryan Williams is 17” was trending nationwide on X during Saturday night’s game. The former Five-Star Plus+ prospect has now had fourth quarter heroics in two games so far this season. The scary part for future opponents – he’s likely just getting started.

2. WR Jeremiah Smith – Ohio State

Jeremiah Smith would be a near-lock to earn True Freshman of the Week honors on just about any other week. The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder already looks like the top receiver at Ohio State and one of the best receivers in college football. Smith made an array of eye-popping plays in the Buckeyes’ 38-7 win at Michigan State. Smith got things going in the first quarter, taking an an end around to the house from 19 yards out. He then made two amazing catches on Ohio State’s final drive before half time. Smith came down with a one-handed catch over two Michigan State defenders. Two plays later, Smith game down with yet another one-handed grab, this time coming down with the ball in stride as he scored from 17 yards out.

Like Ryan Williams, Smith was a Five-Star Plus+ prospect in the 2024 cycle, finishing as the No. 1 overall prospect according to On3 and the On3 Industry Ranking. Through the first month of the season, Williams and Smith are tracking to have the best true freshman receiving seasons in the history of college football.

3. RB Caden Durham – LSU

Caden Durham went nuclear in the first half of LSU’s 42-10 win over South Alabama. The true freshman running back from Duncanville (Texas) High accounted for over 150 yards on LSU’s first two offensive snaps. Durham took a short pass to the house from 71 yards out on the Tigers’ first play from scrimmage. On the next drive, Durham raced to the end zone for a an 86-yard scoring run. Durham finished the game with 128 rushing yards and one touchdown on just seven carries, along with three catches for 89 yards and another touchdown. The 5-foot-9, 205-pound speedster was On3’s True Freshman of the Week in week three after a breakout performance against South Carolina. If the first month of the season is any indication, LSU looks to have hit big with Durham.

4. EDGE Colin Simmons – Texas

Colin Simmons continues to look like a dynamo off the edge for Texas. The 6-foot-3, 245-pounder had a great outing against Mississippi State, notching seven tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble. Simmons showed his patented first-step quickness, flying off the line of scrimmage and darting into the backfield and creating issues for Bulldogs quarterback and fellow true freshman Michael Van Buren. The former Five-Star Plus+ prospect’s speed off the edge is a clear mismatch for many opposing offensive tackles. In addition to the elite burst, Simmons has also shown an array of technical pass rush moves that is advanced for a first year player. The Duncanville (Texas) High product leads the Longhorns in sacks with four.

5. CB Zabien Brown – Alabama

Ryan Williams wasn’t the only true freshman to come up big in Alabama’s huge win over Georgia. True freshman Zabien Brown drew the start at cornerback for the Crimson Tide and made one of the game’s biggest plays. As Georgia was in the red zone attempting to retake the lead with under one minute left in the game, Brown picked off Carson Beck to seal the win. The true freshman from Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei made an impressive in-air adjustment to nab the back shoulder throw. The former top 50 prospect was targeted for much of the night, but battled and came up big on one of the most consequential plays of the game.

6. QB Michael Hawkins – Oklahoma

Michael Hawkins made his first collegiate start in Oklahoma’s SEC road opener against Auburn. The true freshman signal caller got the nod after providing a spark to the Sooners’ offense in relief of Jackson Arnold a week prior. It didn’t take long for Hawkins to make an impact as he ripped off a 48-yard touchdown run on Oklahoma’s first drive. He was able to take care of the ball over the course of the game, helping the Sooners to a 27-21 road victory. Hawkins finished 10 of 15 for 161 yards and rushed for 69 yards and the touchdown on 14 carries. The Frisco (Texas) Emerson product was a senior riser as a high school prospect, by way of a great final prep campaign that saw him throw for 3,039 yards and 41 touchdowns and rush for 1,172 yards and 14 scores.

7. WR Bryant Wesco – Clemson

On a typical week in a typical year, Bryant Wesco would be a headliner among true freshman wide receivers. This group of pass-catchers appears to be a historically talented crop, so some other top performances can perhaps get lost in the shuffle. With that said, the true freshman continued to show why Clemson’s coaches and fans are so excited about what he brings to the offense. Wesco showed his big-play ability in Clemson’s 40-14 win over Stanford. Wesco got things going in the first quarter, getting behind the defense and coming down with a 70-yard reception to set up a field goal. Later in the second half, he easily separated off the line of scrimmage and deftly juked a safety en route to the end zone. The former top 100 prospect finished the game with two caches for 104 yards and the touchdown. Through four games, Wesco is averaging 34 yards per catch.

8. QB Dylan Raiola – Nebraska

Dylan Raiola has been a constant in this feature and continues to lead Nebraska to wins. This week, the touted true freshman led the Huskers to a 28-10 win at Purdue. Raiola once again did a nice job administrating the Nebraska offense. He was efficient and didn’t turn the ball over, completing 16 of 26 passes for 244 yards and one touchdown. After game was knotted up in a scoreless tie at the end of the first half, Raiola made several nice downfield throws in leading scoring drives. Fellow true freshman Jacorey Barney also made a number of plays both as a ball carrier and pass catcher. Raiola and Nebraska face one of their biggest tests of the season to date next week as undefeated Rutgers heads to Lincoln.