I’m not one for hyperbole, so believe me when I say that this freshman class is the best in recent memory and maybe one of the best ever. There are probably 50 impact freshmen through just two weeks of college football. With Ohio State idle this week, someone else has to take over the top spot from freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith.
Maybe we’ll list all 50 impact freshmen one day, but for now, here are the top 10 to watch in Week 3.
Top 10 Impact Freshmen in Week 3
10) Mazeo Bennett Jr., WR, South Carolina
Mazeo Bennett Jr. is one of four true freshmen starters for the Gamecocks and is slowly turning into one of the offense’s best players. He already shows a route-running maturity that is rare for players his age and caught three passes for 63 yards and a touchdown last week against Kentucky.
As the year goes on, Bennett will have a much bigger role.
9) Greg Burrell, RB, UNLV
First, if you’ve never watched UNLV’s “go go” offense, you’ll be in for a treat Friday night when the Rebels take the national stage against Kansas. Second, freshman Greg Burrell had an excellent game last Saturday and should slowly start to earn more playing time in an offense that almost always has two backs on the field.
Burrell is excellent after contact, and Friday will be a great barometer for him and the rest of UNLV’s offense.
8) Malik Blocton, EDGE, Auburn
Malik Blocton hasn’t received as much attention as some of his fellow freshmen on the offensive side of the ball for Auburn, but he’s quietly had a great year. Blocton gets New Mexico on Saturday and will have a chance to put on a pass-rushing clinic against a team that has struggled to pass block.
7) KJ Bolden, S, Georgia
KJ Bolden came to Athens with a lot of hype, and so far, he’s lived up to it, especially in the running game. Saturday, he gets the chance to feast against a Kentucky team that hasn’t passed the ball well and will need to try to control the tempo and clock against Georgia.
Bolden is going to make some highlight-reel hits this year and is really fun to watch as he plays like an old-school safety.
6) Wayshawn Parker, Washington State
If you’re an East Coaster, you probably haven’t seen much of Washington State yet, but you’ll get the chance with a midday Apple Cup on Saturday.
Freshman Wayshawn Parker has been sensational through two games, averaging nearly six yards a carry after contact. Parker is fourth in attempts and second in yards among freshmen after a 69-yard, one-touchdown performance against Texas Tech.
5) Colin Simmons, EDGE, Texas
Saturday, against Michigan, was Colin Simmons’ coming-out party, as he racked up six pressures on 16 pass-rush snaps. Here’s to thinking he plays much more frequently going forward after getting just 11 snaps in the season opener.
Simmons gives Texas extra juice off the edge but can also drop back in coverage and play the run.
4) DJ Lagway, QB, Florida
DJ Lagway performed admirably against FCS Samford in place of Graham Mertz, who was out with a concussion. While Mertz was announced as the starter this week against Texas A&M, head coach Bill Napier said Lagway will play. If things go sideways, it’s only a matter of time before the freshman takes over for good.
3) Nate Frazier, RB, Georgia
The starters didn’t play for very long against Tennessee Tech, but despite Trevor Etienne‘s return to the lineup, it was three-star freshman Nate Frazier who received more touches.
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This week, Georgia plays a stout Kentucky front that is excelling against the run, so Frazier will have a chance to showcase his skills against a more imposing defense.
2) Ryan Williams, WR, Alabama
Ryan Williams is just 17 years old and is already doing incredible things for the Crimson Tide. The offense struggled against USF until Williams caught a long touchdown to start Alabama’s runaway fourth quarter.
After just 19 snaps in Week 1, Williams had 63 snaps against USF, cementing himself as a starter and go-to guy for the Crimson Tide offense.
1) Dylan Stewart, EDGE, South Carolina
South Carolina is 2-0, and that’s largely thanks to Dylan Stewart, who is doing things you truly have to see to believe. Already with 2.5 sacks on the year (it should be more, but for some dubious statistics in the opener), Stewart faces two potential first-round picks Saturday against LSU’s Will Campbell and Emery Jones Jr.
Stewart is on pace to shatter Jadeveon Clowney’s freshman sack record, and I no longer feel uncomfortable using those names in the same sentence. He’s one of the best defenders in college football, full stop.
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