True Freshman Standouts from Week 10 of College Football

As the regular season hits the home stretch, true freshmen across the country continue to make their mark in big conference matchups. Week 10 featured several first-year players stepping into the spotlight, with some delivering career-best performances in games that carried significant postseason implications. From workhorse running backs in statement wins to defensive backs turning defense into offense, the 2025 class once again proved its readiness for the college stage.

With that said, here are the top true freshman standouts from Week 10 of college football.

True Freshman of the Week: RB Caleb Hawkins – North Texas

Caleb Hawkins took over the biggest Group of Five game of the weekend, one that could carry College Football Playoff implications down the road. A week after North Texas aired it out for 608 yards, the Shawnee (Okla.) North Rock Creek product led a ground-heavy attack in the Mean Green’s 31-17 win over previously undefeated Navy.

Hawkins ran for 197 yards and four touchdowns on 33 carries, the second-highest rushing total of any running back in college football in Week 10. The true freshman looked dominant throughout the contest, routinely bouncing off tacklers and punishing defenders on contact. He forced a gaudy 11 missed tackles and gained 114 yards after contact, according to Pro Football Focus.

At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, Hawkins combines size, burst, and physicality that make him a nightmare for Group of Five defenses. Through ten weeks, the On3 Midseason True Freshman All-American has rushed for 744 yards and 11 touchdowns, which ranks tied for fifth nationally. Hawkins has become a key piece of North Texas’ high-powered offense and one of the top running backs in the Group of Five as the Mean Green continue their push for a conference title.

QB Scotty Fox – West Virginia

Scotty Fox helped engineer one of the biggest upsets of Week 10, guiding West Virginia to a 45-35 road win over No. 22 Houston. The true freshman quarterback delivered a gritty performance, completing 13 of 22 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown while adding 59 rushing yards and two more scores on 13 carries.

Fox played with a noticeable competitive edge that energized the Mountaineer offense. He was aggressive pushing the ball downfield and showed no hesitation taking calculated chances in the passing game. At 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, Fox runs with toughness and purpose, consistently fighting through tacklers to extend plays and drives.

His dual-threat ability and composure were critical as West Virginia capitalized on Houston turnovers to build and protect its lead. Since Fox stepped into the starting role, the Mountaineers have found a new rhythm on offense, and his emergence has brought optimism for the closing stretch of Rich Rodriguez’s first season back in Morgantown.

RB Demon June – North Carolina

Demon June played a key role in North Carolina’s offense, helping deliver new head coach Bill Belichick his first win over a Power Four opponent. The true freshman did a bit of everything in the Tar Heels’ 27-10 road victory at Syracuse, leading the team in both rushing and receiving. June totaled 182 yards of offense and two touchdowns, rushing for 101 yards on 13 carries while adding two receptions for 81 yards.

After a quiet first half that saw North Carolina trailing 10-6, June sparked the offense in the third quarter. He took a screen pass, made a defender miss in space, stiff-armed another, and raced 72 yards to the end zone for a momentum-shifting touchdown. On the Tar Heels’ next scoring drive, he ripped off a long run, converted a key fourth down, and capped the possession with a five-yard touchdown to extend the lead.

The Jacksonville (N.C.) High product, who ran for 1,743 yards and 28 touchdowns as a senior, is proving to be an excellent in-state pickup for the Tar Heels. June’s blend of quickness, power, and versatility gives North Carolina a playmaker to build around in the backfield.

OT Michael Fasusi – Oklahoma

Michael Fasusi kept John Mateer clean from his left tackle spot as Oklahoma went into Neyland Stadium and emerged with a 33-27 win over Tennessee in what was billed as a College Football Playoff elimination game. The former Five-Star Plus+ prospect turned in one of his most complete performances of the season, excelling in pass protection and holding up well against Tennessee’s aggressive front in a loud, high-pressure environment.

In a game that featured the top two offensive tackle prospects in the Rivals Industry Ranking in the 2025 cycle, Fasusi and Tennessee’s David Sanders Jr., the Sooner freshman allowed just one pressure on 37 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. He flashed quickness in his pass sets along with the play strength and balance that made him one of the most college-ready linemen in the 2025 cycle.

The Lewisville (Texas) High product continues to anchor the Sooners’ offensive front as they enter their bye week before a pivotal road matchup at Alabama on November 15.

CB Shawn Lee Jr. – Pittsburgh

While true freshman quarterback Mason Heintschel has deservedly drawn much of the attention during Pittsburgh’s recent hot streak, Shawn Lee Jr. has quietly been one of the top first-year cornerbacks in the country. The Harrisburg (Pa.) native delivered another standout performance in the Panthers’ 35-20 win at Stanford, continuing his steady rise as a key piece of Pittsburgh’s defense.

Lee was flawless in coverage, allowing zero completions on three targets and adding two impact plays on the ball. Early in the third quarter, he jumped an out-breaking route to intercept Ben Gulbranson and returned it for a pick-six that extended Pittsburgh’s lead to 35-13. He also broke up another pass, further flashing instincts and ball skills.

A former high school quarterback, Lee brings advanced football intelligence and a confident presence to the secondary. His emergence gives Pat Narduzzi yet another standout true freshman contributor as Pittsburgh enters a crucial stretch of ACC play.