True Freshman Standouts from Week 7 of College Football

Week seven of college featured a great slate of big games across the nation. With the regular season past the midway point, we’re seeing true freshman increasingly make substantial impacts. This week a true freshman ball carrier continued his breakout month, a Five-Star Plus+ receiver showed up in the week’s biggest matchup, a ball-hawking safety came down with two picks, true freshmen showed out in Red River and several more first-year players made impacts in conference games.

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

True Freshman of the Week: RB Isaac Brown – Louisville

Isaac Brown has emerged as Louisville’s top running back over the pas three weeks. The true freshman from Homestead (Fla.) High has delivered in seemly every opportunity and has seen his workload increase as a result. Brown had his best game of the season to date on Saturday, rushing for 146 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries in Louisville’s 24-20 win at Virginia. The 5-foot-9, 190-pounder showed excellent burst. The vision and quickness at the line of scrimmage was readily apparent. The first touchdown run came from seven yards out early in the second quarter. Brown was back in the end zone early in the third quarter, showing his speed while beating Virginia defenders to the edge.

Brown leads all true freshmen with 508 rushing yards on 59 carries (8.6 yards per carry). Given his expanded workload and production over the past two weeks, he’s currently tracking like a True Freshman All-American. The South Florida native ranked as a three-star prospect according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

2. WR Jeremiah Smith – Ohio State

It’s only fitting that we saw a true freshman impact the week’s biggest game, a matchup of two teams ranked inside the top three. Ohio State phenom Jeremiah Smith was a standout player in the Buckeyes’ close loss to Oregon. Smith was Ohio State’s leading receiver hauling in nine catches for 100 yards and one touchdown. The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder made a few big plays in the second half. He generated impressive separation against touted cornerback Jabbar Muhammad and adjusted to come down with an underthrown pass. We later saw Smith come down with a touchdown grab from six yards out to give Ohio State the go ahead score midway through the third quarter.

At this point, Smith making big plays on a weekly basis seems like a given. He’s caught 32 passes for 553 yards. His seven receiving touchdowns are tied for fourth nationally. On3’s No. 1 overall prospect in the 2024 cycle was featured on our Midseason True Freshman All-American Team last week.

3. S Koi Perich – Minnesota

Koi Perich has emerged as a big playmaker in Minnesota’s secondary over the past few weeks. The true freshman came up big in the Golden Gophers’ win over UCLA, snaring two interceptions. The first game in the third quarter, with Perich making an outstanding jump on the ball to come down with the diving pick. He later picked off UCLA’s last second heave as time expired – his second game-sealing interception in as many weeks. Perich, who was not an early enrollee, has seen his snap count increase drastically over the last two weeks. The in-state product already has Minnesota’s freshman interception record (4) and also handles kick and punt return duties. He ranked as the No. 2 safety and No. 35 overall prospect in the On300 and was featured in On3’s Preseason True Freshman All-American Team.

4. QB Michael Van Buren – Mississippi State

Michael Van Buren has been thrust into the starting quarterback role at Mississippi State following a season-ending injury to Blake Shapen. The true freshman from Baltimore (Md.) St. Frances led a feisty effort by the Bulldogs in a 41-31 loss at Georgia. Van Buren and the Mississippi State team showed resolve in the second half, chipping away at Georgia’s lead. The true freshman completed 20 of 37 passes for 306 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. He connected with fellow true freshman Mario Craver on a deep ball early in the second quarter and was able to deliver some nice passes over the course of the game. One of his best throws on the day came on the last touchdown, as Van Buren hit Kelly Akharaiyi on a vertical shot from 35 yards out. While Jeff Lebby’s first season in Starkville hasn’t gotten off to the start Mississippi State had hoped for the team and particularly it’s youth are providing reasons for optimism for the future. Van Buren, who was committed to Oregon for much of the recruiting cycle, was ranked as a four-star prospect according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

5. EDGE Colin Simmons – Texas

Colin Simmons continues to play like one of the best EDGE defenders in all of college football, not just among true freshmen. The Dallas area native showed up big in Texas’ 34-3 win over Oklahoma in Red River, tallying five tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. He was highly active, accounting for two pressures and four stops, according to Pro Football Focus. Simmons showed impressive play speed and ability in space, tracking down Oklahoma quarterback Michael Hawkins for a tackle for loss. He later sifted through blockers to make another play behind the line of scrimmage. The former Five-Star Plus+ prospect finished as the No. 15 overall prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking.

6. WR Mazeo Bennett – South Carolina

Mazeo Bennett looks like South Carolina’s most reliable receiver to this point in the season. The true freshman made a big play in the Gamecocks’ close loss on the road at Alabama on Saturday. Bennett found a soft spot in the Tide’s defense, coming down with a touchdown grab from 36 yards out on a pivotal 4th and 9 late in the first half. Bennett, who finished the game with three catches for 57 yards and the one touchdown was also an active blocker on the perimeter. The former four-star prospect’s reliability and competitive nature should set him up for continued opportunities as South Carolina’s season progresses.

7. CB Eli Bowen – Oklahoma

The play of true freshman cornerback Eli Bowen was bright spot in Oklahoma’s loss to Texas. The Denton (Texas) Guyer product was certainly one of the Sooners’ best players at the Cotton Bowl. He played 57 snaps and tallied eight tackles and six stops while surrendering eight receiving yards on five targets, according to Pro Football Focus. The tackling ability and overall confidence are already shining through. The younger brother of Oklahoma safety, Peyton Bowen, Eli was a three-star prospect in the 2024 cycle per the On3 Industry Ranking.

8. Jaylen Mbakwe – Alabama

With starting corner Domani Jackson missing much of the game due to injury, Alabama turned to true freshman Jaylen Mbakwe to fill the void. The touted in-state product answered the bell, registering five tackles and one tackle for loss while giving up 12 yards through the air in 41 snaps in the Crimson Tide’s 27-25 win over South Carolina. Mbakwe rose to the occasion and some impressive plays as an open field tackler. He’s one of several true freshmen who have seen significant playing time in Alabama’s secondary to this point in the season. The former Five-Star Plus+ is one of several true freshmen to see significant snaps in Alabama’s secondary, giving the Crimson Tide a promising nucleus of young defensive back talent.