True Freshman Standouts from Week 9 of College Football

Several true freshmen made significant impacts across the national landscape in week nine of college football. A cornerback in the SEC locked down his side of the field, a safety in the Big 10 continued his recent hot streak and three running backs had big games in leading their teams to wins.

Let’s highlight some true freshmen who stood out in week nine of college football.

True Freshman of the Week: CB Jay Crawford – Auburn

True freshman cornerback Jay Crawford came up huge for Auburn in the Tigers’ 24-10 road win over Kentucky. Crawford picked off Brock Vandagriff on a key 3rd down in the second quarter. The pick was the first of Crawford’s career. He continued to play at a high level for the rest of the game, surrendering two receptions on six targets for just 25 yards, according to Pro Football Focus. Crawford’s strong play played a role in Kentucky passing for just 154 yards and zero touchdowns. The Lilburn (Ga.) Parkview product is part of a talented nucleus of Auburn true freshmen who have seen time this season. He’s seen his role increase over the past month, highlighted by the big game on Saturday. Crawford ranked as a four-star prospect according the On3 Industry Ranking.

2. S Koi Perich – Minnesota

Koi Perich continues to play at a very high level for Minnesota. The Preseason True Freshman All-American had a big game in Minnesota’s 48-23 win over Maryland. Perich was credited with four tackles and three stops according to Pro Football Focus. He also picked off a pass and returned the interception 45 yards in the third quarter. Perich now leads the Big Ten in interceptions with five, despite only playing major snaps in three games this season. He also made an appearance on offense, hinting at a possible two-way role in coming weeks. It’s likely not a coincidence that Minnesota is 3-0 since Perich has earned a big role in the Golden Gophers’ defense. At this rate, it’s not out of the question he could challenge for the True Freshman Defensive Player of the Year by season’s end. Perich ranked as the No. 2 safety and No. 35 overall prospect in the On300.

3. RB Braylen Russell – Arkansas

Arkansas ran hog wild over Mississippi State, rushing for 359 yards in the 58-25 win over the Bulldogs. True freshman running back Braylen Russell led all Razorback rushers 175 yards on 16 carries, good for nearly 11 yards per carry. Russell saw his workload expand this week, following an injury to starting running back Ja’Quinden Jackson. The 6-foot-1, 253-pounder answered the bell, providing a physical, tough to tackle foil to quarterback Taylen Green, who also had his best game of the season. Russell’s longest run of the day came in the fourth quarter. With Mississippi State, narrowing the lead to within three scores, Arkansas found itself backed up on its own two yard line. Russell proceed to bounce a 75-yard run, showing the burst to separate from linebackers and defensive backs at the second level. Russell ranked as a four-star prospect according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

4. RB Isaac Brown – Louisville

Isaac Brown did it all for Louisville in the Cardinals’ 31-27 win at Boston College. The true freshman rushed for 85 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries, caught three passes for 17 yards and totaled 57 return yards. With Boston College racing out to a 20-0 lead in the first half, Brown was able to get Louisville on the board with a four-yard touchdown run, using his speed to beat defenders to the pylon. The Miami native continued to run hard between the tackles. The second touchdown came in the fourth quarter, with Brown showing his burst, darting to the second level and scoring from 18 yards out. He later set up the go-ahead touchdown, by breaking off a run inside the 15 yard-line. The South Florida product ranked as a three-star prospect according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

5. WR Jeremiah Smith – Ohio State

Another week, another touchdown from Ohio State true freshman phenom, Jeremiah Smith. The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder scored Ohio State’s second touchdown in the 21-17 win over Nebraska. Smith showed easy speed on a vertical route down the seam, pulling away from the Nebraska secondary for a 60-yard catch-and-run touchdown. He finished with three catches for 70 yards and the score. Smith became the first freshman since 2005 (Sidney Rice) to catch a touchdown in his first seven games. The Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna product now leads true freshmen in receiving yards per game and is tied for sixth nationally with eight receiving touchdowns, despite playing one game less than the others. Smith ranked as On3’s No. 1 overall prospect in the 2024 cycle.

6. RB Fluff Bothwell – South Alabama

Fluff Bothwell ran with power, balance and vision in South Alabama’s 46-17 win over UL Monroe. The true freshman from Oneonta (Ala.) High finished the day with 119 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries. Bothwell is a well-built violent runner. He bounced off of tackle attempts and consistently broke arm tackles. 82 of his 119 yards came after contact, according to PFF. The game is Bothwell’s third 100+ rushing day of the season, as he went for 116 yards and two scores against Appalachian State back in week four and 143 against Northwestern State in week three. The former three-star prospect is one of the more intriguing young running back talents in the Group of Five.

7. EDGE Kameryn Fountain – USC

Kameryn Fountain made his presence felt in USC’s 42-20 win over Rutgers. The true freshman from Atlanta recorded his first college sack and added three pressures off the edge, per Pro Football Focus. The game marked the first extended action and most snaps Fountain has played so far this season, with him seeing the field for 37 snaps. The former top 100 prospect was a big get for USC out of the Peach State in the 2024 cycle and is one of a few talented true freshman seeing time on the Trojans’ defense.

8. QB Michael Van Buren – Mississippi State

While Mississippi State’s season isn’t going as Bulldog fans hoped, the young talent on offense ahs been a silver lining to the 1-7 start. That group is led by true freshman quarterback Michael Van Buren, who was thrust into action following an injury to starting signal caller, Blake Shapen. Van Buren has performed admirably in his time as the starter and continued to fight in Mississippi State’s loss to Arkansas. The Baltimore (Md.) St. Frances product completed 22 of 31 passes for 309 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions and rushed for another score. Van Buren has done a nice job of getting the ball to the Bulldogs’ playmakers and has provided a dual threat element to Jeff Lebby’s offense. The experience and subsequent production gives Mississippi State something to build off of moving forward.