True freshmen who stood out in Week 6 in college football
Week six of the college football slate was the wildest so far this season. We saw a number of games go down to the wire, including rivalry clashes, conference showdowns and some big upsets. A number of true freshmen made huge impacts, with a few former top prospects having breakout showings.
This week saw the standout debut of three players who were on On3’s Preseason True Freshman All-America Team.
QB Caleb Williams, Oklahoma
On3’s No. 1 prospect in the 2021 cycle saw his first extensive action of the season and he led the Sooners to a 55-48 comeback win over rival Texas in the Red River Showdown. With Oklahoma sputtering in the first half, Lincoln Riley turned to Williams on a pivotal fourth-and-1. Williams proceeded to take the keeper 66 yards to the house for a touchdown.
Williams later replaced an ineffective Spencer Rattler on Oklahoma’s final drive on the first half. He made a number of big plays with his arm and feet in the second half. The most impressive may have come on an electric off-platform throw in the fourth quarter. Williams stepped up and showed off his arm in hitting a diving Marvin Mims for a 52-yard score.
Williams finished 15-of-24 for 211 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions. He also rushed four times for 88 yards and the aforementioned score. Riley officially has a quarterback situation on his hands in Norman.
RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
The true freshman continues to look like one of the best running backs in the nation just a few games into his college career. With quarterback C.J. Stroud healthy, Ohio State’s offense looked like the buzz saw we expected for a second consecutive week in a 66-17 win over Maryland.
Henderson found the end zone three times against the Terrapins. He rushed for 102 yards and two scores on 16 carries. He continued to show his receiving ability out of the backfield, catching four passes for 67 yards and another touchdown, which came on a wheel route.
Two of Henderson’s fellow five-star teammates, defensive ends Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau, registered sacks in the game. Sawyer, in particular, made a strong case for inclusion here.
RB Raheim Sanders, Arkansas
The Arkansas-Ole Miss game was among the more entertaining contests on the day. The teams accounted for 1,287 yards and 103 points, with Ole Miss eventually pulling out the 52-51 victory. The Razorbacks moved the ball with ease on the Rebels and Sanders played a key role in Arkansas’ rushing attack, picking up 139 yards on 17 carries. He also caught three passes for 26 yards.
As you can see in the video above, Sanders showed off considerable contact balance and tackle-breaking ability in maximizing yardage. Sanders picked up 68 yards after contact, according to Pro Football Focus.
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WR Xavier Worthy, Texas
Worthy started off the Red River Showdown with a bang, taking a quick pass 75 yards to the house on the game’s first play from scrimmage. Worthy and Caleb Williams scored long touchdowns on their first Red River plays.
Worthy was just getting started. He had a bunch of big plays, including a game-tying touchdown grab from 31 yards out with under two minutes left in the game.
By the time the dust settled, the former five-star prospect had turned in a historic outing with nine catches for 261 yards and two touchdowns. The lone blemish came on a lost fumble. If Saturday was any indication, Worthy may become a star in Austin sooner than later.
IOL Bryce Foster, Texas A&M
Texas A&M pulled off the biggest upset of the day, giving Alabama its first loss of the season and first defeat at the hands of an unranked team since 2007. The Aggies played perhaps their best offensive game of the season.
Foster, who started at center, has been one of two true freshmen starting on the line for the Aggies for much of the season, along with right tackle Reuben Fatheree. Foster had his best game of the year, especially considering the competition. The former top-100 prospect did not give up a sack in 67 snaps against the Crimson Tide front, giving quarterback Zach Calzada time to find targets downfield.
EDGE Korey Foreman, USC
Foreman making plays off the edge was a bright spot on a tough Saturday night for the Trojans, who lost to Utah. He recorded the first sack of his college career on a third-and-23 in the second quarter. He would go on to register another half-sack. Foreman, who ranked as the No. 5 prospect in the 2021 On300, is a key part of a strong young talent nucleus for the Trojans. It would not be surprising to see his role increase as USC continues in Pac-12 play.