True Freshman Standouts from Week 9 of College Football

A bevy of true freshmen spurred their teams to wins on Saturday. We saw two true freshmen receivers from the ACC put up big numbers in upset wins. A playmaker from Florida made some eye-catching plays against the defending national champions. A number of true freshmen at Miami had big outings, including a former five-star offensive tackle and a prolific pass rusher.

Let’s highlight the true freshman standouts from week nine of college football.

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

Kevin Concepcion looked like arguably the best player on the field in NC State’s 24-17 win over Clemson. The true freshman from Charlotte was the centerpiece of the Wolfpack’s offensive game plan and delivered in a big way. Offensive coordinator Robert Anae got Concepcion the ball in a variety of ways – receptions, speed sweeps and carries out of the backfield. The 5-foot-11, 187-pounder finished with five catches for 83 yards and two touchdowns along with two carries for 51 yards. He got things going in the first quarter, taking a carry out of the backfield and showing tangible burst in beating Clemson defenders to the edge en route to a long gain. Concepcion’s first score was on a pass to the flats from nine yards out. The highlight of the day came in the third quarter when Concepcion caught a quick in-breaking route on 3rd and 3 and proceeded to break a tackle and outrun Clemson’s defense for a 72-yard score – one that would end up being the difference in the game.

Concepcion, who was a member of On3’s Midseason True Freshman All-American Team was a three-star prospect according to the On3 Industry Ranking. He was previously On3’s True Freshman of the Week back in week four.

WR Eugene Wilson III, Florida

Eugene Wilson III was a bright spot on Florida’s offense in the Gators’ 43-20 loss to Georgia. The true freshman’s Saturday started off with a bang. Wilson accounted for 62 yards on four touches on Florida’s first drive. He capped the drive off with a fantastic catch-and-run touchdown, taking a quick slant and knifing through the back-to-back defending national champion’s secondary for a 25-yard score. Wilson finished the game with 11 catches for 75 yards and the touchdown.

The Tampa native was a five-star outlier for On3, finishing as the No. 32 overall prospect in the final 2023 On300. To this point in the season, he’s flashed some high-level playmaking ability and looks to be a key piece in Florida’s offense moving forward.

WR Eric Singleton Jr., Georgia Tech

Eric Singleton Jr. was the go-to target for Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King in the Yellow Jackets’ 46-42 upset of No. 17 North Carolina. The Georgia native had a huge day through the air, catching eight passes for 117 yards. Singleton showed a varied skill set. While he’s known for his elite track speed, we also saw high-end coordination and ball skills from the true freshman. Singleton got vertical in the second quarter and finished with a fantastic extended grab for a 43-yard gain. He later showed the ability to fight through contact in coming down with a contested grab. Singleton also looks to be on the same page with King, effectively working the sideline on scramble drills.

Singleton broke out as a high school sprinter late in his prep career, running a personal best of a 10.2-second mark in the 100 meters and winning the state championship in Georgia’s Class 6A with a 10.35 in the 100 meters. He was a three-star prospect according to the On3 Industry Ranking and looks to be a huge steal for Brent Key and Georgia Tech.

OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami

A number of true freshmen made impacts for Miami in the Hurricanes’ 29-26 overtime win over Virginia, one of them being right tackle, Francis Mauigoa. The former five-star had one of his best pass-blocking games of his freshman season, surrendering zero pressures on 26 drop backs, according to Pro Football Focus. Mauigoa looks to be settling in and improving, as it’s his second-straight week allowing zero pressures – two strong performances in tight wins. Fellow true freshman Mark Fletcher punched in the game-winning run in overtime.

Mauigoa, who was a member of On3’s Midseason True Freshman All-American Team, ranked as the No. 12 overall prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking.

EDGE Rueben Bain, Miami

Rueben Bain is having the type of season where he could argue for inclusion in this feature on a weekly basis. Last week’s True Freshman of the Week had yet another big game on Saturday, registering seven tackles and two sacks in the overtime win over Virginia. Bain was consistently disruptive, generating six pressures per Pro Football Focus. The Miami native is having the best season of any true freshman EDGE defender. The combination of power, technique and pass rushing instincts are showing up in a big way. He’s currently tied for 16th nationally with 6.5 sacks.

Bain who was also a member of On3’s Midseason True Freshman All-American Team, ranked as the No. 57 overall prospect in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking.