It’s Rivalry Week, and there are a dozen matchups with College Football Playoff implications. By this point, freshmen aren’t truly freshmen anymore, and the best are integral parts of their teams.
There are a host of impact Year 1 players who could make waves around the college football world this week, but in Week 14, our goal is to focus on the players who could turn the tide in games that could influence conference championships or the College Football Playoff. Here are the top 10 freshmen to watch in Week 14.
Top 10 Impact Freshmen in Week 14
10) Jordan Seaton, OT, Colorado
It isn’t a particularly difficult matchup for Colorado Buffaloes left tackle Jordan Seaton, but it is important. The Big 12 is wide open, and while a win doesn’t guarantee Colorado a shot in the conference championship, a loss certainly kills any real hope the Buffaloes have of playing in the College Football Playoff.
Seaton has had an up-and-down season but has brought some stability to a Colorado offensive line that was among the worst in football last year.
9) Glenn Seabrooks III, IDL, Vanderbilt
Glenn Seabrooks III is certainly not the first player who comes to mind when you think of the 2024 Vanderbilt Commodores, but he’s been a steady and valuable run defender on the inside. As the Commodores look to pull off an upset that would get them to seven wins and push the Tennessee Volunteers out of the College Football Playoff, Seabrooks will be vital.
The Tennessee rushing attack is its best weapon and if Seabrooks can disrupt plays at the point of attack, the Volunteers could find it hard to move the ball consistently.
8) OJ Frederique Jr., CB, Miami (FL)
The Miami Hurricanes need to win Saturday to make the ACC Championship Game and remain alive in the College Football Playoff race. Saturday, they face a team with the highest pass rate in the Power Four.
Kyle McCord and the Syracuse Orange throw the ball all around the field, but McCord has been prone to bad mistakes. If OJ Frederique Jr. can make a few plays defensively, it will take some pressure off the Miami offense to score every possession.
7) KJ Bolden, S, Georgia
While KJ Bolden has been needed most in pass coverage in most of the Georgia Bulldogs’ biggest games, his biggest contribution on Friday night will likely be as a run-stuffer. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets will come into Sanford Stadium looking to run the ball with consistency and control the tempo of the game.
Bolden has been electric as a freshman but has been prone to a mistake or two. Saturday, the Bulldogs can’t afford to allow big plays in the running game or on the occasional play action.
6) Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
Jeremiah Smith remains one of the top freshmen we’ve seen at the wide receiver position in a long time. The only reason he’s so far down this list is that while The Game always has meaning, the Ohio State Buckeyes are likely in the College Football Playoff even with a loss.
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The Michigan Wolverines secondary is a bit banged up, and Will Howard and the Ohio State passing attack will look to take advantage. I don’t think it will take Smith long to make his mark on the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry.
5) Cam Coleman, WR, Auburn
I’ll take my victory lap for predicting Cam Coleman’s biggest game of the season. Coleman came up huge for the Auburn Tigers, and all of a sudden, the trajectory of the program looks much better than it did a week ago.
The Tigers will be upset-minded when going on the road to play the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Iron Bowl. Could Coleman be the difference as Auburn tries to hand Alabama its first four-loss season in nearly 20 years?
4) Ryan Williams, WR, Alabama
Alabama’s freshman receiver will look to make his own mark on the Iron Bowl. He’d been quiet in recent weeks, but Williams made a fantastic leaping catch to score what should have been a touchdown last week against the Oklahoma Sooners.
It wouldn’t have made a difference in the outcome, but Williams will be looking to get back into the end zone this week against Auburn. Alabama still has a chance to make the College Football Playoff, so they’ll need their best outing from their star freshman.
3) Colin Simmons, Edge, Texas
The Texas Longhorns would secure an SEC championship berth in their first year in the conference with a win on Saturday. That won’t happen if Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed has time to move around in the pocket unhindered.
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Colin Simmons has been disruptive this season but has disappeared at times. On Saturday, he’ll need to pressure Reed and make some big plays for the Texas defense.
2) Bryant Wesco Jr., WR, Clemson
The top two guys on this list are both standouts for their respective teams in the Palmetto Bowl. If the Clemson Tigers win Saturday, they’re likely in the College Football Playoff. Receiver Bryant Wesco Jr. could have a huge part to play as the Tigers will look to push the ball down the field against the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Wesco is an elite deep threat and his ability to get behind the defense could be crucial as the Tigers look to beat a talented South Carolina defense.
1) Dylan Stewart, Edge, South Carolina
Dylan Stewart has been not only one of the best true freshmen in college football but one of the best players in college football this season. Stewart has at least five pressures in five consecutive games and faces a banged-up Clemson Tigers offensive line on Saturday.
There isn’t a more important game than the Palmetto Bowl this weekend, and if the South Carolina Gamecocks win, I’m willing to bet it’s Stewart who plays a huge part. If he can get after Cade Klubnik, it will be a long afternoon for the Clemson quarterback.
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