True freshmen who stood out in Week 9 in college football
We saw a number of true freshmen make huge plays throughout week nine of college football. More and more members of the 2021 recruiting cycle are beginning to see the field and make significant contributions, and this week was the toughest to sort out thus far.
A few established top performers are accompanied by two running backs and a receiver who had breakout games in conference play. Several are making their “Top Performers” debut and did not appear on our preseason or midseason True Freshman All-America Teams.
QB Caleb Williams, Oklahoma
Williams looked like the best true freshman in the country on Saturday and arguably the best player in college football. On3’s No. 1 prospect from the 2021 recruiting cycle had his best game yet as a passer in the 52-21 win over Texas Tech. He was 23-of-30 for 402 yards and six touchdowns with zero interceptions. Williams showed off his playmaking ability, getting outside the pocket and keeping his eyes downfield to find open receivers.
We haven’t seen players who sat for the first five games of the season garner real Heisman buzz. Could Williams be an exception in a weird season? He is second nationally with a passing efficiency rating of 203.75. Oklahoma also got a big contribution from true freshman receiver Mario Williams, who had five catches for 100 yards and a touchdown.
RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
Henderson carried a considerable load in Ohio State’s 33-24 win over No. 20 Penn State. He ran for 152 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries against a stingy Nittany Lions defense. Henderson’s biggest play came on a 64-yard scamper in the third quarter, which he followed up with a short touchdown run.
Henderson’s big-play ability gives Ohio State’s offense a multi-pronged attack that is capable of putting up points in a variety of ways. He has rushed for 845 yards and 12 touchdowns on 107 carries (7.9 yards per carry) in eight games.
RB Will Shipley, Clemson
Shipley had his best game as a Tiger on Saturday and Clemson needed all of it to come away with a 30-20 win over Florida State that was much closer than the score indicates. Shipley ran hard between the tackles for 128 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries. He also caught two passes for 24 yards.
Shipley’s biggest play came on a 21-yard touchdown run that put the Tigers up 24-20 with 2:53 remaining. Shipley, who was a top-100 prospect, missed a few games with a knee injury, but adds a much-needed spark of effort and physicality to the much-maligned Clemson offense.
RB Byron Cardwell, Oregon
Cardwell had by far his best game, rushing for 127 yards and a touchdown on just seven carries in a 52-29 rout of Colorado. The former four-star prospect showed off his speed on the Ducks’ second drive of the game. He took his first carry 29 yards, then followed up a few plays later with a 34-yard touchdown run.
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Cardwell’s emergence would be a welcome development for an Oregon rushing attack that lost C.J. Verdell to a season-ending knee injury a few weeks back.
WR Andrel Anthony, Michigan
Anthony entered Saturday’s rivalry game against Michigan State with no catches on the season. That quickly changed. The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder put the Wolverines on the board first, out-running the Spartans’ defense for a 93-yard score.
Anthony, an East Lansing, Mich., native, answered the bell again in the second quarter. He came down with a spectacular high-point touchdown grab on a throw from fellow true freshman J.J. McCarthy.
Michigan also went back to Anthony a few times in the second half. If Saturday was any indication, we might be seeing much more from Anthony in the final month of the regular season.
S James Williams, Miami
Miami came away with with a 38-34 win over No. 17 Pitt, handing the Panthers their first ACC loss. Williams had a big day, with a team-leading nine tackles and an interception of Heisman hopeful Kenny Pickett on what turned out to be Pitt’s final possession.
Williams, who was a top-100 prospect, has emerged as one of the Hurricanes’ better defenders. At 6-5 and 224 pounds, Williams is a unique jumbo safety capable of lining up at a number of spots. He played 57 snaps at free safety, 11 snaps in the box and two plays at corner, according to Pro Football Focus.