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True Freshman Standouts from Week 6 of College Football

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College football’s sixth weekend featured one of the deepest slates of true freshman performances so far this season. First-year players stepped up across the country in high-stakes environments, from rivalry showdowns to pivotal conference matchups. A pair of freshman wideouts took over two of the weekend’s biggest games, two young quarterbacks led explosive offensive efforts, and a former five-star lineman emerged as a difference-maker in the trenches for Alabama.

With that said, let’s highlight the top true freshmen who stood out in Week 6 of college football.

True Freshman of the Week: WR Malachi Toney – Miami

In a weekend loaded with standout performances from true freshmen across the country, Malachi Toney gets the slight nod for True Freshman of the Week honors after taking over one of the biggest games of the day. The newly turned 18-year-old was the go-to target for Carson Beck in No. 3 Miami’s 28-22 rivalry win over No. 18 Florida State, finishing with seven catches for 107 yards and two touchdowns.

Toney’s first big play came early in the second quarter on a flea flicker, shaking a safety at the top of his route, tracking the ball over his shoulder, and beating the defensive back to the end zone for a touchdown. He added a second score on a pivotal 4th-and-2 in the third quarter, finding an opening in the zone, planting and cutting upfield before outrunning the Florida State secondary for a 40-yard touchdown. Toney could’ve had a third touchdown, as a highlight catch-and-run score was wiped out by an illegal shift penalty.

The true freshman showed burst, vision, and elite competitiveness in a tough road environment. For such a young player, his poise and production continues to stand out on a near weekly basis. Toney wasn’t the only Miami true freshman to make an impact in the win, as safety Bryce Fitzgerald also picked off a pass in the first quarter, giving the Hurricanes another early spark.

QB Bear Bachmeier – BYU

Bear Bachmeier turned in the biggest game of his young career on Friday night, leading No. 18 BYU to a 38-24 win over West Virginia. The true freshman completed 18 of 25 passes for 351 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, while adding 43 rushing yards and another score.

Bachmeier pushed the ball downfield throughout the night, helping the Cougars pile up explosive plays through the air. One of his highlight throws came in the second quarter when he fired a dart over the middle on an RPO to Chase Roberts, who rumbled 85 yards to set up a score. Later, he dropped a perfectly placed pass between two defenders for another big gain, then capped the drive with a short touchdown run.

Outside of the interception on a screen pass where he failed to spot a lurking defender, Bachmeier played clean, confident football. The physically developed and athletic quarterback continues to show steady growth each week. Bachmeier has quietly guided BYU to a 5-0 start as the Cougars head into the heart of Big 12 play.

QB Mason Heintschel – Pittsburgh

Mason Heintschel made the most of his first career start, rewarding the Pittsburgh staff’s decision to hand him the reins over incumbent Eli Holstein. The true freshman delivered a sensational debut, completing 30 of 41 passes for 323 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions in the Panthers’ 48-7 win over Boston College.

You would have never guessed it was Heintschel’s first start. He looked composed and confident, leading five touchdown drives in the first half alone as Pitt piled up 503 total yards, its highest output of the season. Heintschel got the Panthers on the board in the opening quarter by sidestepping a free rusher and finding his tight end in the flats for a score, then continued to attack downfield with timing and poise. He showed excellent feel against pressure, keeping his eyes up and making several second-reaction plays to find open targets.

Heintschel added a creative element to Pitt’s offense, combining quick decision-making with enough mobility to evade rushers and extend plays. The stat line could have been even bigger, as two long touchdown passes were wiped out by penalties. Ranked as a four-star outlier for On3 coming out of high school, Heintschel gives the Panthers a promising young quarterback leading their offense moving forward.

WR Dallas Wilson – Florida

Dallas Wilson made a huge statement in his college debut, looking like the most dynamic player on the field in Florida’s 29-21 upset of No. 9 Texas in The Swamp. After missing the start of the season with a fall camp injury, the true freshman returned to action in a big way, catching six passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns.

Wilson took over midway through the second quarter, first hauling in a superb toe-tapping grab on a back-shoulder pass that showcased outstanding body control. A few plays later, he found the end zone by creating separation on a sharp in-breaking route and reeling in a strike from DJ Lagway. His second score came late in the third quarter, when he bowled over a cornerback, spun out of a tackle, and bounced off another defender as he crossed the goal line.

At 6-foot-3 and 213 pounds, Wilson already looks like one of the more physically-imposing pass catchers in college football. His debut stacks up as one of the best in Florida’s history, fulfilling the promise that earned him preseason True Freshman All-American honors from On3. Wilson’s addition gives the Gators another high-end weapon as they continue to navigate a tough schedule.

OT Michael Carroll – Alabama

Michael Carroll played a key role in the play of Alabama’s offensive line during the Crimson Tide’s 30-14 win over No. 16 Vanderbilt. The true freshman rotated in at right tackle while Wilkin Formby moved inside to guard, and the combination proved effective for the Alabama front.

The former five-star prospect turned in a clean performance, allowing zero pressures on 41 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. Carroll showed his patented physicality and strong finishing ability, holding up in pass protection and moving defenders in the run game. It was an impressive showing for a young lineman stepping into a big SEC matchup.

It will be worth watching to see if Carroll did enough to earn a starting role going forward. Just a few games into his college career, he already looks like one of Alabama’s five best offensive linemen. A former Rivals Industry five-star and the No. 1 interior offensive line prospect in the 2025 cycle, Carroll is beginning to validate that lofty billing in real time.