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True Freshman Standouts from Week 2 of College Football

charles power hsby: Charles Power09/08/25CharlesPower
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While college football’s week two slate may have been light on big games, there were several impactful contributions from true freshmen. Two former Five-Star Plus+ prospects made sizable impacts, two former four-star pass rushers were disruptive off the edge, and a speedy wideout showed big-play ability.

2025 On3 Preseason True Freshman All-American Team | Week 1 True Freshman Standouts

With that said, let’s highlight some true freshmen who stood out in week two of college football.

True Freshman of the Week: EDGE Chaz Coleman – Penn State

Penn State true freshman EDGE Chaz Coleman was dominant in the Nittany Lions’ 34-0 over FIU. The 6-foot-4, 246-pounder was virtually unblockable, posting five pressures, three hurries, two tackles for loss, and a sack en route to posting a 93.7 grade on Pro Football Focus. Coleman’s burst off the edge was startling throughout the game. He darted in the backfield for a tackle for loss, flashed a nasty spin move, and made a key play on 3rd and short. Coleman’s biggest play came late in the game, as he dipped around the edge and exploded to the quarterback, jarring the ball loose, and recovering his own forced fumble before rumbling down the sideline for a near score.

Coleman’s instant impact is even more impressive considering he was not an early enrolle. He was a big senior riser as a recruit, showing elite athleticism as a pass rusher and quarterback at Warren (Ohio) Warren G Harding, finishing No. 137 overall in the 2025 On300. Penn State has built a reputation of churning out some big-time pass rushers in recent years, including Micah Parsons and Abdul Carter, and several others. Chaz Coleman has the talent to join that group in due time.

WR Jalen Cooper – SMU

Jalen Cooper made his presence felt in one of the week’s more exciting games. The SMU true freshman showed his route-running savvy and speed, getting behind the Baylor defense for a 75-yard touchdown to put SMU up 24-14 in the 2nd quarter. Though the Bears would mount a comeback and eventually win 48-45 in double overtime, Cooper served notice he’s a freshman to watch moving forward. The San Antonio native finished the game with two catches for 89 yards and the score. Cooper, who finished as the No. 96 overall prospect in the 2025 On300, was viewed as one of the more skilled pass-catchers and best route-runners in the cycle.

WR Dakorien Moore – Oregon

Dakorien Moore announced his arrival to college football in the first quarter of Oregon’s 69-3 romp of Oklahoma State. The former Five-Star Plus+ prospect roasted man coverage, gaining a good five yards of separation down the left sideline before tracking a well-thrown pass from Dante Moore and making a safety miss with an athletic jump cut before racing into the end zone. The 65-yard touchdown illustrates the lethal big-play ability that made Moore the clear No. 1 wide receiver prospect in the 2025 cycle.

The Duncanville (Texas) High product’s elite athleticism and ball skills make him the best bet to become this season’s version of Jeremiah Smith or Ryan Williams – true freshman receivers who burst onto the national stage.

OT Michael Fasusi – Oklahoma

Michael Fasusi drew his first college start in the week’s biggest game – No. 18 Oklahoma’s 24-13 win over No. 15 Michigan. The true freshman held up well while protecting John Mateer‘s blind side, allowing two pressures on 34 pass block attempts en route to a 69.2 grade from Pro Football Focus. Given the competition and the stage, Fasusi’s performance was outstanding for a young offensive tackle. The former top ten prospect pairs elite play strength with plus athleticism, making for a ready-to-play offensive tackle despite turning 18 years old less than two months ago. Oklahoma and veteran offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh have to be ecstatic in knowing they have such a talented young left tackle in the fold.

EDGE Zahir Mathis – Maryland

Few, if any, programs are seeing more sizable impacts from true freshmen early on in the season than Maryland. Zahir Mathis joins Malik Washington and safety Messiah Delhomme in making big plays for the Terps through the first two weeks. Mathis was key in Maryland’s 20-9 win over Northern Illinois on Friday. The true freshman from Philadelphia generated five pressures, four hurries, and a sack. His length and athleticism proved to be a tough matchup for the Northern Illinois offensive linemen. Mathis’ big game builds on a good showing in week one against FAU. A one-time Ohio State commit, the Rivals Industry four-star opened up his recruitment in November and signed with Maryland in February.