Week 13 boasts a combination of multiple high-level matchups and a bunch of less exciting offerings. Unfortunately, several of our favorite freshmen to watch are partaking in the latter.
No worries, though as there is a bevy of freshmen in high-leverage situations. This week’s Freshman To Watch list is full of players looking to play spoiler and change the College Football Playoff picture.
Top 10 Impact Freshmen in Week 13
10) Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
It feels weird to put a corner who is about to play a service academy on the list, but Leonard Moore’s ability to set the edge and play against the run will be sorely needed by the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday.
The Army Black Knights are also a capable passing team when they want to be, so Moore will need to make sure he’s not caught unaware if the Fighting Irish hope to avoid the upset.
9) OJ Frederique Jr., CB, Miami (FL)
One of the lowest-ranked recruits on this list, Miami Hurricanes corner OJ Frederique Jr. has already become one of the best defenders on his team. He faces a strong Wake Forest Demon Deacons passing attack on Saturday that could give the Hurricanes issues.
Frederique will want another strong game as the Hurricanes look to finally cruise to victory after several close calls and a Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets loss.
8) Ryan Williams, WR, Alabama
After taking the college football world by storm early in the season, Ryan Williams has had a quiet few weeks. Williams has just two touchdowns in his last five games and faces an Oklahoma Sooners team that has a stingy defense.
If there’s one knock on the Sooner defense, it’s that teams have occasionally found room over the top, and that’s where Williams’ explosive ability could be key on Saturday.
7) Dylan Raiola, QB, Nebraska
Dylan Raiola and the Nebraska Cornhuskers certainly aren’t in as big of a game as many of the other players on this list, but he needs to be on it, largely due to some comments he made off the field.
The Cornhuskers haven’t made a bowl game since 2016, the longest streak in the Power Four, and they looked poised to do so this season after starting 5-1. But they’ve dropped four straight and now sit 5-5, needing a win in one of the next two to qualify.
Raiola essentially guaranteed that the Cornhuskers would make a bowl, saying, “We’ll win.”
He said it, now let’s see if he does it.
6) Koi Perich, S, Minnesota
The Penn State Nittany Lions’ game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers isn’t being talked about enough, in my opinion. The Golden Gophers’ defense is strong enough to cause Penn State some issues, especially in the passing game.
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Koi Perich has just 21 tackles but five interceptions this season. If Drew Allar isn’t careful, Perich will add to his total on Saturday.
5) Cam Coleman, WR, Auburn
While he hasn’t been a disappointment this year, it is a bit surprising that we had to wait until Week 12 for the Cam Coleman breakout. But, man, he broke out. Coleman put up his first 100-yard receiving game as part of the Auburn Tigers and caught three touchdowns.
That’s significant, as he only had two touchdowns coming into the Louisiana-Monroe game. He finally looks like a true weapon on an offense in desperate need of playmakers, as evidenced by his incredible, one-handed touchdown catch.
4) CJ Bailey, QB, NC State
The NC State Wolfpack is not having the greatest of seasons, but in a stand-alone game on Thursday, CJ Bailey can be the key. The former high school teammate of the No. 1 player on this list, Bailey has grown each week and has flashed the potential to be one of the better quarterbacks in the ACC going forward.
3) Eli Bowen, CB, Oklahoma
The Alabama Crimson Tide has struggled against a particular kind of team, and that team looks similar to Oklahoma. The Sooners will likely take away Jalen Milroe’s rushing ability, meaning the star quarterback will be forced to throw more consistently. That’s where Eli Bowen comes in.
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Bowen will look to lock down fellow freshman Williams on Saturday as the Sooners hope to play spoiler in the College Football Playoff race.
2) DJ Lagway, QB, Florida
The Florida Gators are a solid team, and DJ Lagway is the real deal. We saw how his absence turned the entire Gators’ offense into a shell of itself. Now that he’s back, though, he’s must-see television.
Saturday, Lagway has his toughest test yet against a ferocious Ole Miss Rebels front. The downside to Florida’s schedule is that the Gators have been underdogs in nearly every game. The upside is that they could ultimately play a huge role in shaping the College Football Playoff.
1) Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
The Ohio State Buckeyes are in Week 13’s marquee matchup, which means all eyes will be on Jeremiah Smith. The immediate impact that Smith has made to be the leading receiver for one of the country’s top teams from Day 1 has been impressive.
If for some reason you’ve never seen him play, or even if you have, make sure to get eyes on him when he plays the Indiana Hoosiers on Saturday in one of the most important games of the entire college football season.
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