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True freshmen who stood out in Week 5 in college football

charles power hsby:Charles Power•10/04/21•

CharlesPower

Truefreshmenweek5
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The fifth week of college football saw an increasing number of true freshmen make an impact nationwide. Some new names popped up this week, including several who were not on On3’s Preseason True Freshman All-America Team, which was released before Week 1.

RB Jarquez Hunter, Auburn

Hunter, from Philadelphia (Miss.) Neshoba Central, was Auburn’s leading rusher among running backs in the big victory at LSU. Hunter rushed for 65 yards and one touchdown, and added one catch for 10 yards. His short touchdown run in the fourth quarter proved to be the game’s deciding score.

Hunter has been a spark for Auburn all season, serving as a strong complement to Tank Bigsby. The compact, speedy back leads the nation in yards per carry, averaging 10.64 per carry. Hunter entered Auburn with a strong high school rushing résumé – he averaged more than 150 yards per game and 8.6 yards per carry, and ran for 78 touchdowns in his prep career. The speed also checked out with a personal best of 11.09 seconds in the 100 meters.

RB Alton McCaskill, Houston

McCaskill has been close to making this list a few times. From Conroe (Texas) Oak Ridge, McCaskill finally broke through with a big showing in a 45-10 rout of Tulsa on Friday night. McCaskill ran for 77 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries. The highlight was a 27-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter.

In just five games, McCaskill has emerged as one of Houston’s better offensive players. He’s already accounted for eight touchdowns. Rated as four-star prospect by On3, McCaskill is a taller back with breakaway speed. He showed off that straight-line speed on the track this spring, posting a 10.63-second time in the 100 meters.

WR Jimmy Horn Jr., USF

A speedy receiver out of the slot, Horn was USF’s top signee in the 2021 class. Entering Saturday with just 22 receiving yards, Horn was a bright spot in the Bulls’ loss to SMU. He caught all five targets for 102 yards. He did most of his damage out of the slot, with 55 yards coming after the catch, per Pro Football Focus.

Horn ranked as the No. 192 prospect in the 2021 On300. He was a big recruiting win for USF coach Jeff Scott, choosing the Bulls over Georgia. Horn’s high school quarterback and fellow true freshman, Timmy McClain, also is starting for USF. The duo led their Sanford (Fla.) Seminole team to a 8A state title in 2020. Horn was among the more dynamic slot receivers in the 2021 recruiting cycle with game-breaking ability and top-end speed (10.66 second 100-meter time)

TE Michael Trigg, USC

He received considerable buzz during preseason camp, but had his first true breakout moment Saturday. Trigg, from Tampa Carrollwood Day, scored on a fantastic contested catch touchdown in the second quarter of the win over Colorado. Trigg, a 6-4, 245-pounder, ran a vertical route from out wide and spun to come down with the catch before jogging into the end zone.

Trigg’s role in the Trojans’ offense appears to be increasing. He has five catches for 95 yards in the past two weeks after having just one catch for 7 yards in the first three games.

EDGE Collin Oliver, Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State is among the more under-the-radar undefeated teams. The Cowboys stayed unbeaten on Saturday with a win over Baylor, thanks in part to a strong showing on defense.

Oklahoma State entered the game without three defensive ends, forcing Oliver into the starting lineup. Oliver, from Edmond (Okla.) Santa Fe, stood out in his first start, finishing with with six tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks and five quarterback hurries.

Oliver’s biggest play came late in the fourth quarter, when he brought down Baylor quarterback Gerry Bohanon on a pivotal fourth-and-10. Oliver, a 6-2, 225-pounder, is a quick, active rusher off the edge, and looks to be a key contributor for the Cowboys moving forward.

CB Denzel Burke, Ohio State

Burke wasted no time in making an impact play Saturday. He picked off an overthrow from Rutgers quarterback Noah Vedral and ran it in for a touchdown early in the first quarter. The interception was the first of his Ohio State career.

Burke is one of several freshman standouts from Ohio State’s strong 2021 class. The Scottsdale (Ariz.) Saguaro product has played 258 snaps at cornerback, surrendering just 118 yards and zero touchdowns, according to Pro Football Focus .