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True Freshman Standouts from Week 12 of College Football

charles power hsby: Charles Power6 hours agoCharlesPower
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Week 12 delivered another strong slate of performances from true freshmen, with several first-year players taking center stage in games that carried conference title and postseason implications. From quarterbacks sparking explosive offenses to running backs and defensive linemen powering their teams in critical wins, the 2025 cycle continues to shape the national landscape as the season winds toward its conclusion.

With that said, here are the top true freshman standouts from Week 12 of college football.

True Freshman of the Week: WR Andrew Marsh – Michigan

Andrew Marsh delivered in the clutch during Michigan’s narrow 24-22 win over Northwestern at Wrigley Field, turning in the biggest performance of his young career at a moment when the Wolverines desperately needed someone to step up. The true freshman finished with 12 catches for 189 yards, emerging as the top target for quarterback Bryce Underwood throughout the afternoon and consistently making difficult plays in key situations.

Marsh set the tone early with an outstanding diving catch in the second quarter, locating the ball over his shoulder and securing it to put Michigan in scoring range. The former four-star later a huge play on the decisive drive. Facing third and ten, he hauled in a toe-dragging sideline grab to extend the possession and set up the Wolverines for the game-winning field goal.

The Houston area native flashed strong hands and toughness, securing contested throws over the middle and finding pockets of space against the Northwestern defense. His steady growth over the course of the season gives Michigan a promising young pass catcher to build around as the receiver room continues to evolve moving forward.

QB Bear Bachmeier – BYU

Bear Bachmeier and No. 12 BYU bounced back from their first loss of the season with a commanding 44-13 win over TCU. The BYU quarterback operated the offense at a high level, completing 23 of 33 passes for 296 yards and a touchdown while keeping the Cougars in rhythm throughout the contest.

Bachmeier showed a quick trigger and consistently identified open receivers, displaying strong processing ability within what appears to be an expansive playbook. The true freshman also made several impressive throws on the move and showed advanced feel in the pocket, sliding away from pressure while keeping his eyes downfield.

The former four-star added meaningful production as a runner, finishing with 59 yards and a touchdown on the ground, with the score coming on an option keeper. He also showed decisiveness as a scrambler.

It was an impressive rebound effort for the California native and the Cougars as they look to mount a push for the Big 12 title game and a redemption opportunity against Texas Tech.

QB Byrd Ficklin – Utah

Byrd Ficklin ignited the Utah rushing attack and helped keep the Utes’ College Football Playoff hopes alive in a 55-28 win over Baylor. The true freshman showcased game-breaking ability with the ball in his hands, ripping off two explosive touchdown runs that changed the complexion of the game.

Ficklin struck first early in the second quarter, keeping the ball to the left side and outrunning the entire Baylor secondary for a 67-yard score. He later delivered one of the plays of the weekend with a dazzling 74-yard touchdown run, faking a jet sweep before turning up the right sideline, stiff-arming a defender, and accelerating untouched into the end zone.

The Oklahoma native finished with 166 rushing yards and two touchdowns on only six carries, adding two completions for 23 yards through the air. The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder was a productive and athletic quarterback at the high school level, and his breakout performance gives Utah a promising young signal caller to build around moving forward.

RB Caleb Hawkins – North Texas

Caleb Hawkins continued his remarkable freshman season with another dominant outing as North Texas rolled past UAB in a 53-24 win. The running back put together one of the best performances of any player in the country on Saturday, rushing for 189 yards and five touchdowns on 27 carries and adding 21 receiving yards to surpass 200 yards from scrimmage.

Hawkins ran with authority throughout the afternoon, finishing with 134 yards after contact, according to Pro Football Focus. The true freshman standout consistently bludgeoned UAB between the tackles and dragged defenders once he built up momentum. The Oklahoma native was decisive working downhill and showed the power and balance that have turned him into one of the most difficult backs to bring down in the Group of Five.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder has added a physical run dimension to Eric Morris’ explosive Air Raid scheme and is now tied for second among all FBS running backs with 16 rushing touchdowns. With USF and Memphis suffering losses over the weekend, the path to an American Championship Game berth is even clearer for the Mean Green. If North Texas wins out, Hawkins and his team could very well be positioned to reach the College Football Playoff.

DL Elijah Griffin – Georgia

Elijah Griffin made a sizable impact on the biggest game of the week, creating constant disruption in Georgia’s 35-10 win over Texas. The true freshman defensive lineman was a force throughout the night, using his combination of athleticism, length, and strength to create disruption in the backfield. He also showed a relentless motor that matched the energy of the entire Georgia defense.

Griffin generated five pressures on 35 snaps, which tied for the game high, according to Pro Football Focus. He also batted down a pass at the line of scrimmage, adding to his busy evening. The production and presence were exactly what Georgia hoped for when it signed the No. 3 overall prospect in the 2025 cycle.

The Savannah, Ga. native is off to an strong start and already looks capable of becoming the next dominant interior defender in Athens.