True Freshman Standouts from Week 9 of College Football

As the calendar turns to November, true freshmen across the country are no longer just adjusting to the college game, but are rather shaping outcomes of consequential games. Week nine brought another round of impressive performances from first-year players who continue to play key roles for their respecitve teams. From quarterbacks leading their programs to conference wins to skill players making clutch plays in big moments, several true freshmen showed out on Saturday.

With that said, let’s highlight the true freshmen who stood out the most in week nine of college football.

True Freshman of the Week: QB Bear Bachmeier – BYU

Bear Bachmeier earns On3’s True Freshman of the Week honors after leading No. 10 BYU to a come-from-behind 41-27 win over Iowa State to preserve the Cougars’ undefeated season. The Murrieta (Calif.) Murrieta Valley product completed 22 of 36 passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 49 yards and another score.

The true freshman showed impressive poise throughout the game, guiding BYU back from a multi-score first-half deficit. Bachmeier flashed impressive pocket presence and timing, stepping up to deliver several high-level throws over the middle of the field. He also made several nice throws while working on the move.

One of his best sequences came before halftime, when he manipulated the defense with his eyes and fired a dart to an open receiver in the back of the end zone to pull the Cougars closer. Bachmeier later used his legs to give BYU the lead in the third quarter, scoring on a quarterback counter.

The former four-star has shown impressive maturity for a first-year starter and continues to elevate the Cougars’ offense week by week. Bachmeier and BYU now head into a bye before traveling to Lubbock for a top-15 showdown with No. 13 Texas Tech, a huge matchup that could have College Football Playoff implications.

QB Mason Heintschel – Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh remains one of the hottest teams in the country since inserting Mason Heintschel as the starting quarterback, and the true freshman signal caller turned in his highest passing output yet in the Panthers’ 53-34 win over NC State. The Oregon (Ohio) Clay product completed 28 of 48 passes for 423 yards and three touchdowns with zero interceptions, leading an offense that continues to hum under his command.

Heintschel looks remarkably comfortable in offensive coordinator Kade Bell’s system just a few starts into his career. He processes quickly, makes confident decisions, and plays with impressive anticipation. The former On3 four-star outlier has shown poise beyond his years, looking every bit like an experienced upperclassman when maneuvering the pocket and managing pressure.

Heintschel was aggressive throughout the game, driving the ball down the seam and stretching the defense vertically. Early in the third quarter, he broke the game open with a deep strike off play action that went for a long touchdown.

Pittsburgh is now 4-0 in games Heintschel has started and faces a defining stretch of its schedule with a cross-country trip to Stanford, followed by matchups against three ranked opponents: Notre Dame, Georgia Tech, and Miami.

RB Jordon Davison – Oregon

On a rainy afternoon in Eugene that saw star quarterback Dante Moore leave the game in the third quarter, Oregon leaned on true freshman Jordon Davison in a 21-7 win over Wisconsin. The 6-foot, 236-pounder helped stabilize the Ducks’ offense, rushing for 102 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries while forcing eight missed tackles and gaining 65 yards after contact, according to Pro Football Focus.

The former Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei back came through with timely plays throughout the afternoon. His first touchdown came just before halftime, when he broke a tackle on third and goal and powered into the end zone. He added another score in the fourth quarter on a 20-yard run, pressing the edge before cutting upfield and dragging defenders across the goal line.

Davison’s combination of physicality, vision, and finishing power has added a steady, instinctive presence to Oregon’s rushing attack. His emergence gives the Ducks a reliable option in short yardage situations and run heavy game scripts.

WR Winston Watkins – Ole Miss

Winston Watkins came up big in key moments for Ole Miss, helping the Rebels secure a 34-26 road win over No. 13 Oklahoma. The Fort Myers, Fla. native turned in the best performance of his young college career, catching four passes for 111 yards and several explosive gains.

Watkins delivered in critical situations throughout the game. His first two receptions came midway through the third quarter, both moving the chains on a drive that ended in a field goal to extend Ole Miss’ lead. Early in the fourth quarter, he found space over the middle of the field for another chunk play that set up the go-ahead touchdown. His biggest moment came later in the quarter, when he executed a sharp double move out of the slot, gained separation, and tracked a 43-yard pass over his shoulder to put the Rebels in position to extend their lead to eight points.

The former Rivals Industry four-star has steadily earned a larger role in Lane Kiffin’s offense, and his emergence as a dependable playmaker adds yet another weapon for one of the nation’s most explosive units heading into the final stretch of the season.

CB Courtland Guillory – Oklahoma

Courtland Guillory was a clear bright spot for Oklahoma’s defense in the Sooners’ 34-26 loss to Ole Miss. The true freshman corner primarily lined up on the outside and locked down his side of the field against one of the nation’s more potent offenses.

The 6-foot, 183-pounder was targeted in coverage eight times by quarterback Trinidad Chambliss but allowed only two completions for seven yards while registering two pass breakups, according to Pro Football Focus. The Houston Klein Oak product showed the instincts and quick reaction that made him such a coveted recruit, jumping a hitch route in the first quarter to break up a pass and set the tone early.

Guillory’s emergence adds another dependable piece to what has been one of the stingier defensive units in college football. His steady play on the perimeter will be crucial as Oklahoma enters a challenging stretch that includes road matchups at Tennessee and Alabama.