After several weeks of multiple high-ranking matchups, Week 12 is a bit tame by comparison. While that can be a bummer, it does give college football fans a chance to put eyes on players they might not see every week.
But there are still some solid matchups, and in this week’s Freshmen To Watch list, we’ll look at some players who could change the College Football Playoff picture.
Top 10 Impact Freshmen in Week 12
10) Ja’Marley Riddle, S, East Carolina
You probably haven’t watched much of the East Carolina Pirates this season, but they play in a stand-alone game on Thursday night with a chance to become bowl-eligible. Freshman safety Ja’Marley Riddle has recently become a starter, and all he’s done in his first two games as a full-time player is rack up 10 tackles, three interceptions, and a touchdown.
Riddle plays all over the field and is a bright spot for the Pirates. If you’re cynical, you can even scout him to see if he’s somebody who can continue to grow going forward.
9) Sincere Edwards, Edge, Pittsburgh
If the Pittsburgh Panthers want to pull off a home upset of the Clemson Tigers and right the ship this season, edge rusher Sincere Edwards will need to have a huge game.
While the Panthers might be slumping, Edwards is not, as he’s had three of his best games of the season in his last three outings. He’ll be challenged against a solid Clemson offensive line, though.
8) Bryce Young, Edge, Notre Dame
The massive Bryce Young had his best game in a Notre Dame Fighting Irish uniform last week against the Florida State Seminoles. He picked up three pressures, including his first career sack.
Young is a pure pass-rusher right now, but his size and wingspan make him a candidate to become a stronger run defender in the future.
7) Colin Simmons, Edge, Texas
The Texas Longhorns took care of business against the Florida Gators last weekend, setting up a physical three-game stretch to end the season. This is the part of the year when the top freshmen start to separate from the pack.
After a quiet few weeks, Simmons was once again disruptive and will be a key contributor for the Longhorns down the stretch.
6) TJ Moore, WR, Clemson
While the Clemson Tigers didn’t involve their freshman receivers early in the year, TJ Moore and Bryant Wesco Jr. are full members of the offense now. Moore has great size and speed and is getting better every week.
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Moore has at least 45 receiving yards in four straight games, catching two touchdown passes in that span. The Tigers will need him down the stretch, starting with a game against Pittsburgh.
5) Caden Durham, RB, LSU
Look, at some point, the LSU Tigers will realize that not only do they need to run the ball to stay balanced on offense but they have a star at the running back position. Caden Durham burst onto the scene against South Carolina while bailing out a struggling passing attack, dominated against Arkansas, and then went back to averaging fewer than 10 touches a game.
Let’s see if the Tigers rely heavily on Durham in The Swamp on Saturday when they play the Florida Gators.
4) Dylan Stewart, EDGE, South Carolina
While some of these players rotate in and out every week, Dylan Stewart is a must-see TV pick and an automatic inclusion on every iteration of this list. Stewart is just 2.5 sacks from Jadeveon Clowney’s freshman sack record with the South Carolina Gamecocks, which is something to watch going forward.
Stewart has 20 pressures in his last three games. No other freshman in the country has more than 17 all season.
3) Nate Frazier, RB, Georgia
Nate Frazier had a huge game against Clemson in the opener, but then he was relegated to a backup role when Trevor Etienne returned from injury. Now that Etienne is dealing with a rib injury, Frazier is getting more carries for the Georgia Bulldogs. He fumbled twice against the Ole Miss Rebels, though.
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Given Carson Beck’s struggles and the way Tennessee plays, Georgia could rely more heavily on the running game. If Frazier gets the opportunity, he could have a big game.
2) KJ Bolden, S, Georgia
I’ve featured KJ Bolden on this list a few times, but Saturday could be the most important game of his career. The Tennessee Volunteers offense is basically a ton of rushing plays and then the occasional shot over the top. Given his position, Bolden will be key to both types of play.
He needs to be solid in coverage and come up to make stops in the running game. His play could be the key to the week’s best game.
1) Boo Carter, CB, Tennessee
Boo Carter has been quietly effective this season for Tennessee, and he’s seen his playing time steadily increase in the last month. With Beck’s struggles in recent weeks, it’s not hard to imagine a situation in which Carter gets an opportunity or three to pick off a pass.
Georgia needs to find some big plays in the passing game, and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo could try to isolate the freshman. Let’s see if he rises to the challenge.
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