True Freshman Standouts from Week 2 of College Football
Week two of college football featured many true freshmen making significant impacts in games across the national landscape. Saturday saw a few of those included On3’s Preseason True Freshman All-America Team have breakout games. A versatile linebacker created havoc in the week’s marquee game, a former five-star quarterback shined in his first start, a Big Ten running back flirted with 200 yards, a pass rusher from Nebraska made several plays behind the line of scrimmage and a defensive back from Purdue had a big game for the second straight week.
With that said, let’s highlight some true freshmen who stood out on week two of college football.
True Freshman of the Week: LB Anthony Hill – Texas
Anthony Hill was one of the stars in the week’s marquee game – Texas’ 34-24 win at Alabama. The 6-foot-2, 235-pounder figured prominently in the Longhorns’ success on defense, working as a pass rusher and spy against Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe. Hill was particularly effective off the edge, registering four pressures and 2 key sacks on just 11 pass rush snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. On one of the sacks, Hill beat Alabama left tackle Kadyn Proctor – also a true freshman – around the edge with impressive speed and bend.
The Denton (Texas) Ryan product’s combination of play speed, effort and physicality was apparent throughout the night. His usage by the Texas staff resembled what we saw from LSU and Harold Perkins last season. If Saturday night was any indication, we should see the true freshman tormenting Big 12 quarterbacks throughout the fall. Hill, who was a Preseason True Freshman All-American according to On3, ranked as a five-star and the No. 16 overall prospect in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking.
QB Dante Moore – UCLA
Dante Moore earned the first start of his college career with a very strong second half showing in UCLA’s opener last week. The former five-star prospect continued to look the part on Saturday, making easy work of San Diego State in the Bruins’ 35-10 victory. Moore was efficient from the pocket, completing 17 of 27 passes for 290 yards and three touchdowns with zero interceptions. He flashed his patented quick arm and made several impressive throws over the course of the game, including a few into tight windows. Given how well he’s played, it’s hard to see a scenario where Moore is not UCLA’s permanent starter moving forward.
The Detroit (Mich.) Martin Luther King product ranked as the No. 3 overall prospect in the On3 Industry rankings for the 2023 cycle. UCLA hosts North Carolina Central next week before starting Pac-12 play.
RB Darius Taylor – Minnesota
It’s no secret that PJ Fleck and Minnesota love to pound the rock. The Golden Gophers are looking for a bell cow back to replace Mohamed Ibrahim. True freshman Darius Taylor looks to be that guy. The Walled Lake (Mich.) Walled Lake Western product carried the ball 33 times for 193 yards and one touchdown in Minnesota’s 25-6 win over Eastern Michigan. Taylor showed his natural feel and instincts as a runner, picking his way through the line. He also flashed toughness, rushing for 68 yards after contact.
Taylor was a rankings riser as a senior after turning in a huge final prep season where he rushed for 2,450 yards and 36 touchdowns while averaging 9.1 yards per carry. He finished as the the No. 275 overall prospect in the 2023 On300.
EDGE Cameron Lenhardt – Nebraska
Cameron Lenhardt made good on his inclusion in On3’s Preseason True Freshman All-America Team, making a number of big plays as a pass rusher in Nebraska’s 36-14 loss at Colorado. The true freshman from IMG Academy registered five pressures, two sacks and one hit in 30 pass rush attempts. Lenhardt’s first sack of the day came early in the second quarter – he set the edge, got off the left tackle’s block and corralled Shedeur Sanders behind the line of scrimmage. The second sack game shortly after, with Lenhardt beating a pulling guard before darting into the backfield to take down Sanders. Lenhardt ranked as a four-star prospect in the On3 Industry rankings
S Dillon Thieneman – Purdue
After barely missing the cut in Week 1, Purdue’s Dillon Thieneman is a True Freshman Standout with back-to-back big games to start his college career. The Westfield (Ind.) High product is already a key player for Ryan Walters’ secondary, playing 143 snaps through the first two weeks. In two games, Thieneman has notched 16 solo tackles and two interceptions. On Saturday, Thieneman tallied six tackles and a pick, while allowing zero yards in coverage in Purdue’s 24-17 win at Virginia Tech. The 6-foot, 205-pounder was a consensus three-star prospect according to the On3 Industry ranking.