True freshmen standouts from Week Five of college football
Week five of college football saw a growing number of true freshmen see their roles expand across the nation. A group of true freshmen helped lift Alabama to a road win over Arkansas. The Ole Miss-Kentucky game featured a pair of true freshmen standouts, including a 100-yard rusher.
With that said, let’s highlight some of those true freshmen who stood out on week five of college football.
RB Quinshon Judkins – Ole Miss
Quinshon Judkins continued his outstanding season on Saturday, helping Ole Miss to a big 22-19 win over No. 7 Kentucky. The true freshman back rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries along with a 14-yard catch. Judkins’ touchdown came on a 48-yard scamper up the middle on 3rd and 3 to put the Rebels up 14-0 in the second quarter. The Pike Road (Ala.) High product is the second-leading rusher in the SEC through five games with 535 yards and six touchdowns on 85 carries (6.29 yards per carry).
The game also featured another strong performance from Kentucky true freshman receiver Barion Brown, which is becoming a weekly occurrence. Brown had two long returns and 51-yard catch-and-run.
WR Kobe Prentice – Alabama
Kobe Prentice had his breakout game in Alabama’s 49-26 road win over Arkansas. The Preseason True Freshman All-American made his presence felt early on. Prentice beat Arkansas safety Myles Slusher on a slant and taking a quick pass from Bryce Young to the house from 47 yards out for Alabama’s first score. The awareness, quickness and top end speed were on display. The Calera (Ala.) High product finished the game with three catches for 92 yards and the touchdown. Prentice was not the only Crimson Tide true freshman wide receiver to make an impact – fellow speedster Isaiah Bond came down with a deep ball in the first half, as well.
Prentice came to Alabama as one of the top wide receivers in the 2022 recruiting cycle. The 5-foot-10, 175-pounder ranked as the No. 5 wide receiver and No. 38 overall prospect in the 2022 On300.
DL Mason Graham – Michigan
Mason Graham earned the start for No. 4 Michigan on Saturday and made the most of the opportunity. The true freshman defensive lineman turned in a strong outing in the Wolverines’ 27-14 win over Iowa, tallying four tackles and a sack in 30 snaps. Graham’s sack came on the first play from scrimmage of the second half. The Anaheim (Calif.) Servite product showed off his notable hand quickness and understanding of leverage en route to bringing down Hawkeye quarterback Spencer Petras for a nine-yard loss.
The 6-foot-3, 317-pounder was a standout wrestler and had a big senior season prior to heading to Ann Arbor. He ranked as a four-star prospect according to the 2022 On3 Consensus.
DL Jaheim Oatis – Alabama
Jahiem Oatis has been a key cog in Alabama’s defensive front this season and made a sizable impact in the Crimson Tide’s win over Arkansas. The 6-foot-5, 348-pounder played 32 snaps on Saturday and was a load for the Razorback offensive line. Oatis was credited with two sacks, according to Pro Football Focus. One came in the second quarter, when he flattened KJ Jefferson, sending the Arkansas quarterback to the bench for a play. Oatis also disrupted Arkansas’ two point attempt in the third quarter – a key play that would’ve brought the game to within a field goal if converted.
The Columbia (Miss.) native made headlines in the off-season after dropping 74 pounds from his high school weight. Oatis ranked as a top 100 prospect in the 2022 On3 Consensus.
LB Harold Perkins – LSU
Harold Perkins makes a repeat appearance in this feature after generating key disruption in LSU’s 21-17 win at Auburn. The hyper athletic linebacker was effective as a pass rusher, using his elite burst to generated three pressures and a sack in 10 pass rush snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. Perkins also made an impactful play in coverage, intercepting a pass attempt from Auburn wide receiver Koy Moore in the fourth quarter. The New Orleans native still has areas to progress as a complete linebacker, but his athleticism and playmaking ability has provided a notable spark to LSU’s defense early on.
Perkins ranked as the No. 9 overall prospect and No. 1 linebacker in the 2022 On3 Consensus.