We're more than a month into the college football season, giving us our first real chance to assess which true freshmen are making an immediate impact. From five-star quarterbacks Faizon Brandon and Jared Curtis playing for in-state SEC rivals to breakout stars like Oregon State receiver Jesse Legree, these are the 25 freshmen who have impressed us most so far.
Topping the list is Jesse Legree, an undersized three-star receiver out of Baltimore who wasn't a full-time receiver until his senior year at St. Frances Academy and drew minimal Power 4 interest. Oregon State coach Ja Marcus Shephard spotted his talent while recruiting St. Frances as Alabama's receivers coach and brought him to Corvallis. Legree has topped 100 yards in every game and ranks second nationally with 741 receiving yards, trailing only Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith. He torched then-No. 13 Texas Tech for eight catches, 240 yards and two touchdowns.
LSU defensive tackle Deuce Geralds was not the Tigers' highest-rated line recruit, yet he ranked No. 40 nationally and has earned an immediate role. His five sacks are tied for eighth nationally, and he even ran for a touchdown in a blowout against Mc Neese. Georgia's Zykie Helton has started every game for the No. 2 Bulldogs, becoming just the third true freshman offensive lineman to start a season opener under Kirby Smart. He has not allowed a sack through five games.
Others making noise include USC's Luke Wafle, whose disruption goes beyond his one sack, and USC receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, whose 372 receiving yards lead the Trojans. Nebraska running back Jamal Rule has also outperformed his three-star ranking, leading all freshman rushers with 333 yards through four weeks.
Source: ESPN General · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing