True Freshman Standouts from Week 10 of College Football

Week 10 of college football saw a loaded slate of big-time matchups over the national landscape. A number of true freshmen turned in the best games of their young college careers. We saw three true freshmen running backs make game-altering plays for their teams in breakout performances. Additionally, two former On3 five-star outliers continued their strong play this fall.

Let’s highlight this week’s true freshman standouts.

RB Kaden Feagin, Illinois – True Freshman of the Week

Kaden Feagin had the best game of his collegiate career on Saturday in Illinois’ 27-26 win over Minnesota. The true freshman rushed for 89 yards on 22 carries and three catches for 59 yards and a touchdown. Feagin picked up tough yards all game, consistently running through contact and falling forward. The 6-foot-2, 250-pounder’s size and power was apparent, as he picked up 72 yards after contact – 81% of his rushing total. He converted up several key third-and-short situations throughout the game. His biggest play of the game came on Illinois’ first possession of the second half. Feagin took a quick pass in the flats and turned upfield, outrunning the Golden Gopher defense as he raced down the sideline. The 54-yard catch-and-run put Illinois up 21-20. The big back has emerged as a key cog in Illinois’ offense over the past three weeks and looks to have locked down significant role in the offense moving forward.

Feagin was a big in-state get for Bret Bielema, ranking as the No. 5 prospect in Illinois and as a four-star in the On3 Industry Ranking.

RB CJ Baxter Jr., Texas

CJ Baxter Jr. had a significant impact in one of Saturday’s wilder games – Texas’ 33-30 overtime win over Kansas State. With starting quarterback Quinn Ewers out with injury, Steve Sarkisian needed the Longhorn run game to pick up the slack. Baxter delivered with the best game of his young college career. The former five-star finished with 90 rushing yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. The touchdown came early in the second quarter. With the Longhorns facing a 4th-and-1, Baxter took an option pitch from quarterback Maalik Murphy, sidestepped a tackle at the line of scrimmage and took it to the house from 54 yards out.

Baxter’s breakout game couldn’t come at a better time for Texas. The Longhorns are in the mix for the college football playoff and should get Quinn Ewers back soon. A strong number two emerging behind Jonathon Brooks would give Texas one of the best running back duos nationally. Baxter ranked as the No. 1 running back and No. 28 overall prospect in the 2023 On300.

RB Jahiem White, West Virginia

West Virginia is one of the bigger surprises in the Big 12. The Mountaineers were picked last in the preseason poll, but have already secured bowl eligibility with a 6-3 start. Much of that success has to do with a run game that ranks top ten nationally. Saturday’s 37-7 victory over BYU saw true freshman Jahiem White post a career high in rushing yards. The York (Pa.) William Penn product ran for 146 yards on 16 carries, serving as the lightning to CJ Donaldson‘s thunder. White showed tangible burst and pace on perimeter runs. He beat BYU defenders to the edge had several explosive runs over the course of the game.

White, who ranked as a three-star prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking was highly productive at the high school level, rushing for over 4,000 yards and 48 touchdowns in his final two years of prep play.

WR Eugene Wilson III, Florida

Eugene Wilson III breakout freshman season rolls on. The true freshman was once again a bright spot for the Gators offense in a 39-36 overtime loss to Arkansas. Wilson has started out hot in several games this season and Saturday was no different. The Tampa native scored two touchdowns in the first quarter and finished with 90 yards on eight catches. Wilson’s first score came on a route up the seam from 19 yards out on a well-thrown ball from Graham Mertz. The second came one drive later, with the Florida staff calling Wilson’s number off of motion for a six-yard pass.

On3 tabbed Wilson as a Preseason True Freshman All-American and as a five-star outlier as a high school prospect. He’s living up to that lofty billing so far, with 312 receiving yards and four touchdowns in the last four weeks. Wilson was joined by fellow Florida true freshmen Kelby Collins and Jordan Castell in turning in strong showings on Saturday.

CB Jermaine Mathews, Ohio State

Jermaine Mathews continues to shine when called upon by the Ohio State staff. With injuries in the secondary, the Buckeyes once again turned to Mathews and the talented true freshman responded by locking down his side of the field in Saturday’s 35-16 win at Rutgers. Mathews lined up as an outside cornerback in 69 snaps and allowed zero catches on two targets. This is the second strong showing from Mathews in the past three weeks, as he had a great performance in the big win over Penn State two weeks ago.

The Cincinnati native was a five-star outlier On3 finishing as the No. 14 overall prospect and No. 1 corner in the 2023 On300. His talent level and aggressive, confident mentality look to be fitting of his five-star ranking.