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True Freshman Standouts from Week 3 of College Football

charles power hsby: Charles Power16 hours agoCharlesPower
TFOTW w3-AFI

Three weeks into the college football season, true freshmen continue to leave their mark on the national stage. This week, a pair of quarterbacks put together statement outings, a running back notched his second consecutive 100-yard game, a wideout flashed high-end upside in a top-25 showdown, and a disruptive defensive lineman anchored a road win in his first taste of Big Ten play.

With that said, let’s highlight the top true freshmen who stood out in Week 3 of college football.

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

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele continues to look like one of the breakout stars of the 2025 season. The Hawaii native turned in another strong performance, completing 24 of 38 passes for 279 yards and three touchdowns with zero interceptions in Cal’s 27-14 win over Minnesota in Saturday’s late-night window. Facing a traditionally stingy Golden Gophers defense, Sagapolutele once again showcased his advanced passing skill, consistently attacking all levels of the field with a live arm and sharp decision-making.

One of the highlights came early, when he delivered a jaw-dropping 50-yard strike into a tight window downfield, a throw that showcased his elite downfield passing ability. Sagapolutele then engineered a poised fourth-quarter comeback, tossing two short touchdown passes to put the game away. He also showed the ability to handle the increased level of pressure from a Power 4 defense. Beyond the box score, his poise and command continue to elevate Cal’s offense, which now sits at 3-0 to open the season.

Already showing up in On3’s Heisman Trophy poll, Sagapolutele’s quick ascent is notable, given his lack of collegiate experience. The polish and consistency have even surpassed the lofty expectations that made him a five-star outlier for On3 and Hawaii’s all-time leading passer. This is the second time Sagapolutele has been tabbed as the True Freshman of the Week in the first three weeks of the season. The true freshman looks like one of the new young faces at quarterback, and one all college football fans need to know moving forward.

QB Bryce Underwood – Michigan

Michigan unleashed more of Bryce Underwood’s elite dual-threat skill set in a 63-3 win over Central Michigan, and the results were electric. With head coach Sherrone Moore serving the first game of a two-game suspension, interim coach Biff Poggi took the governor off of Underwood, showcasing the true freshman’s plus rushing ability for the first time this season. The No. 1 overall prospect in the 2025 cycle completed 16 of 25 passes for 235 yards with one touchdown and one interception, while adding nine carries for 114 yards and two rushing scores.

Underwood displayed his high-end arm talent, standing in the pocket and pushing the ball vertically, most notably on a perfectly placed deep strike to Semaj Morgan for a touchdown. On the ground, he proved to be a game-changer, running for his first touchdown on a designed quarterback keeper from 20 yards out. His most impressive individual play came on a 4th-and-1 in the third quarter. After being hemmed in on a rollout, Underwood reversed field and galloped 28 yards for the score.

The added dimension of Underwood as a run threat could fundamentally change the math for Michigan’s offense as it heads into Big Ten play. On3’s wire-to-wire No. 1 overall prospect in the 2025 cycle continues to look every bit the part, and he’ll face another big test this week with a trip to Lincoln to face an undefeated Nebraska team in a hostile environment.

RB Bo Jackson – Ohio State

Bo Jackson gets the slightest of nods over several worthy running back candidates in Week 3: Oklahoma’s Tory Blaylock, Oregon’s Dierre Hill, and Duke’s Nate Sheppard, thanks to another strong all-around showing in Ohio State’s 37-9 win over Ohio. The true freshman carried nine times for 109 yards and added two receptions for 21 yards, marking his second straight 100-yard performance.

Jackson ran decisively between the tackles, showing vision and toughness as a downhill runner while consistently slipping or running through arm-tackle attempts at the second level. 92 of his 109 rushing yards came after contact, according to Pro Football Focus. The Cleveland native also flashed his start-stop ability in space, making defenders miss and illustrating a well-rounded skill set that should hold up as the Buckeyes face stiffer competition in the coming weeks.

Through three games, Jackson leads Ohio State in rushing with 217 yards at a staggering 12 yards per carry. Ranked as the No. 163 overall prospect in the 2025 Rivals Industry Ranking, Jackson is quickly making a case for RB1 duties in Columbus as a true freshman.

WR Joshua Moore – Miami

Joshua Moore wasted no time making his presence felt in Miami’s 49-12 win over a white-hot No. 18 USF, scoring two touchdowns in the first quarter. The true freshman finished with three catches for 61 yards and flashed the size, athleticism, and catch radius that made him one of the higher-upside pass catchers in the 2025 cycle.

Moore made an immediate statement on Miami’s opening drive, taking a short crossing route and cruising into the end zone from eight yards out. On the Hurricanes’ following series, he struck again, creating separation on a vertical route, then hanging in the air to secure the ball through contact from a cornerback, showcasing strong hands and concentration.

Moore becomes the second Miami true freshman receiver to earn True Freshman Standout honors in the first three weeks, joining Malachi Toney’s Week 1 breakout. With Moore and Toney both homegrown products now catching passes from Carson Beck, Mario Cristobal has two emerging young stars to build around in the Hurricanes’ passing game.

DL Floyd Boucard – USC

Floyd Boucard was very impactful in USC’s 33-17 road win over Purdue, the Trojans’ first Big Ten matchup. The true freshman defensive lineman generated constant disruption, recording six pressures and one sack on just 17 snaps.

Boucard lived in the backfield, creating havoc seemingly every snap he was in the game. His biggest moment came in the second quarter when he unleashed a vicious bull rush, bowling over the center and swallowing the quarterback for a sack. Boucard brought the same quickness, power, and high-energy presence that drew strong reviews out of fall camp.

A native of Montreal, Boucard looks like an early-impact piece for a revamped USC defensive front under coordinator D’Anton Lynn and defensive line coach Eric Henderson. His emergence adds even more depth to the Trojans’ defense that continues to take shape.