Skip to main content
Join Now
Get a profile. Be recruited.

True Freshman Standouts from Week 11 of College Football

charles power hsby: Charles Power13 hours agoCharlesPower
TFOTW-AFI copy-5

As we enter the final month of the regular season, true freshmen continue to take on starring roles in pivotal games across the country. Week 11 saw several first-year players shine on the biggest stages, from a quarterback leading a dramatic overtime upset to a pair of linebackers powering another big upset.

With that said, here are the top true freshman standouts from Week 11 of college football.

True Freshman of the Week: QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele –California

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele earns True Freshman of the Week honors after engineering a 29-26 road upset over No. 15 Louisville as an 18.5-point underdog. The Cal quarterback completed 30 of 47 passes for 323 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions, showing poise against tough competition.

Sagapolutele flashed his elite arm talent throughout the evening, making several throws that few other college quarterbacks could deliver. He got things going with a beautifully thrown deep ball for a long gain in the first quarter, then followed with his best throw of the night, a dart into a tight window on a back-shoulder strike to Landon Morris for Cal’s first touchdown. Later, he connected with Jacob De Jesus on a pinpoint wheel route and delivered another highlight play by firing a strike across his body while rolling out of the pocket.

The former five-star continued to shine late in the game, showing exceptional downfield accuracy and confidence in clutch situations. Facing fourth and goal in overtime, the Hawaii native went for the win and delivered, finding De Jesus on a quick out-breaking route for the walk-off touchdown.

While Cal’s season has had its share of ups and downs, the one-time Oregon signee has shown high-end talent and remarkable potential that make him one of the most exciting young quarterbacks in college football.

QB TJ Lateef – Nebraska

TJ Lateef shined in his first career start, stepping in for injured starter Dylan Raiola and delivering Nebraska’s most efficient passing performance of the season. The true freshman completed 13 of 15 passes for 205 yards and three touchdowns in a 28-21 road win over UCLA, playing within the offense and showing impressive control throughout the game.

Lateef was decisive in his reads and played without hesitation, operating cleanly. He made a strong early impression with his first touchdown throw, a well-placed strike into a tight window to Jacorey Barney. The Los Angeles area native showed poise as the game tightened late, hitting key throws on third down to extend drives and seal the win for the Cornhuskers.

With Nebraska losing Raiola for the season, the performance was an encouraging sign for the remainder of the season. If Saturday’s showing was any indication, Lateef looks more than capable of keeping the offense on track down the stretch.

LB Cooper Catalano – Wisconsin

Cooper Catalano turned in a huge performance in Wisconsin’s 13-10 upset win over No. 23 Washington. The true freshman linebacker was all over the field, finishing with 19 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack in what was easily the best game of his young career.

Catalano set the tone early in a defensive affair where the Badgers’ leading passer was their punter. He was relentless in pursuit and highly active around the ball, showing outstanding effort chasing down Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. on multiple occasions. The 6-foot-1, 230-pounder was a key factor in Wisconsin holding the Huskies to just 117 rushing yards and no touchdowns on the ground.

The in-state product has seen his snap count rise in recent weeks and has capitalized on every opportunity. His emergence gives Wisconsin another tough, high-motor defender as the Badgers look to build momentum in the final month of the season.

LB Mason Posa – Wisconsin

It is rare for two players from the same position group on the same team to earn True Freshman Standout honors, but Mason Posa’s performance alongside Cooper Catalano in Wisconsin’s 13-10 upset of No. 23 Washington made it an easy call. The true freshman linebacker made impact plays all afternoon, finishing with 11 tackles and 2.5 sacks while flashing physicality, instincts, and nonstop effort.

Posa was especially disruptive as a pass rusher, making things tough for Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. The 6-foot-3, 231-pounder delivered a key play of the game late in the fourth quarter, spying Williams on a critical 4th-and-6 and closing quickly to bring him down behind the line of scrimmage, sealing the victory for the Badgers.

The New Mexico native has quickly proven himself as one of Wisconsin’s most active defenders. The former four-star pairs with Catalano to give Luke Fickell two promising defensive building blocks to develop moving forward.

CB Dijon Lee – Alabama

Dijon Lee has been one of the nation’s top true freshman cornerbacks this season and continued his strong play in Alabama’s 20-9 victory over LSU. The true freshman shut down his side of the field, allowing zero catches on two targets across 35 passing plays, according to Pro Football Focus. One of those targets came against LSU tight end Trey’Dez Green, a 6-foot-7 jump-ball specialist, with Lee’s stature and awareness to helping to break up the pass. He also added four tackles and a stop in another efficient, complete performance.

The Southern California native has allowed just eight receptions for 90 yards and one touchdown all season, per PFF. The 6-foot-4, 202-pounder has seen his role steadily increase over the course of the year and now looks like a key piece of Alabama’s secondary as the Crimson Tide push toward an SEC title and potential College Football Playoff berth.