True freshmen who stood out in Week 8 in college football
Week eight of college football saw several true freshman make game-changing plays across the national landscape. Several running backs had breakout showings. Two freshmen made key plays deep into the fourth quarter, including one on a playoff contender.
Two weekly stalwarts are joined by four more from the 2021 recruiting cycle who did not appear on our preseason or midseason True Freshman All-America Teams.
QB Caleb Williams, Oklahoma
Williams’ second start was not smooth sailing. The Sooners found themselves down multiple scores to Kansas in the first half, largely becasue of an effective clock-eating game plan from the Jayhawks. Williams rallied his offense in the second half, making two game-changing plays on fourth down.
The first came on fourth-and-3 with eight minutes remaining. Lincoln Riley dialed up a quarterback counter for Williams. He looked hemmed in, then made two Jayhawks defenders miss before racing for a 40-yard touchdown to put Oklahoma up 28-17.
After Kansas answered with a touchdown to make it 28-23, Oklahoma found itself in another fourth-and-short with the game on the line. Williams handed the ball to Kennedy Brooks who was met in the backfield by a host of Kansas defenders. In what may be his play of the year thus far, Williams grabbed the ball out of Brooks’ hands before advancing a few yards for the first down. It was a rare display of situational awareness for any player, yet alone a true freshman quarterback in his second college start.
Williams finished 15-of-20 for 178 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He rushed for 70 yards and one more touchdown (the aforementioned 40-yard run) on eight carries.
RB Braelon Allen, Wisconsin
Wisconsin looked like its old self in a 30-13 road win over then-No. 25 Purdue. The Badgers rolled behind a stingy defense and bludgeoning two-man rushing attack. Paul Chryst took the ball of out quarterback Graham Mertz’s hands and opted to pound the rock.
Much of the rushing strategy centered on true freshman running back Braelon Allen, from Fond Du Lac (Wis.) High; he answered the bell after losing a fumble in the first quarter. Allen provided a considerable spark and complement to Chez Mellusi, finishing with 140 yards and two touchdowns on just 12 carries. His biggest play came on a 70-yard run when the game was tied in the 3rd quarter.
Allen looks like your classic Wisconsin running back. He brings a combination of strength, athleticism and size at 6-foot-2, 238 pounds. He was a big riser in the spring season, finishing No. 119 overall in the 2021 On300.
To make things even more impressive, Allen is just 17, making him one of the youngest players in college football. Initially a prospect in the 2022 recruiting cycle, Allen to reclassified to 2021 and doesn’t turn 18 until January 20.
RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
Ohio State’s offense is getting revved up at the perfect time, with Henderson playing a key role. The Buckeyes’ offense looked like an absolute buzz saw against Indiana, scoring a touchdown on all six first-half possessions en route to a 44-0 halftime lead.
Henderson continues to show why he was a five-star prospect and top running back in the 2021 cycle. He has fantastic burst and contact balance.
Henderson, from Hopewell (Va.) High, finished with 81 yards and two touchdowns on just nine carries. He also caught one pass for a 14-yard touchdown. Henderson leads the nation in yards per carry among rushers averaging more than 10 attempts per game, with an 8.77 yard average. He’s also scoring a touchdown every 6.2 touches. Ohio State has the first of a few upcoming showcase games this Saturday against Penn State.
RB Malachi Thomas, Virginia Tech
Thomas, from Hartwell (Ga.) Hart County, was a bright spot in Virginia Tech’s 41-36 home loss to Syracuse. Thomas entered the day with just 48 yards on 11 carries on the season. He received 21 carries Saturday and made the most of the opportunities, rushing for 151 yards and three touchdowns. The outing was a historic one.
We gave Thomas serious four-star consideration. If Saturday is any indication, he looks like a definite four-star talent. With the Hokies sitting at 3-4, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Justin Fuente continue to feed the freshman.
RB Devin Neal, Kansas
Caleb Williams wasn’t the only freshman to show out in the Kansas-Oklahoma game. Neal played a key role in Kansas’ clock-milking drives and found the end zone twice in the first half. He picked up tough yards and finished the game with 100 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries.
Neal, from Lawrence (Kan.) High, was a four-star prospect and the jewel of Kansas’ recruiting class. He looks to be a building block for Lance Leipold‘s rushing attack.
S Kamren Kinchens, Miami
Kinchens has been among the better true freshman defensive backs this season and had a strong case to be on the Midseason All-America Team. He continued to look like one of Miami’s best defenders Saturday as the Hurricanes gave Manny Diaz a much-needed win with a 31-30 upset of then-No. 18 NC State.
Kinchens, from Miami Northwestern, lined up at free safety and at nickel, registering four tackles. He was targeted six times, surrendering three catches. Kinchens’ biggest play came late in the fourth quarter. Facing fourth-and-8 with under three minutes left, NC State targeted wide receiver Thayer Thomas short of the sticks. Kinchens closed quickly and made an authoritative open-field tackle, forcing the critical turnover on downs.
Kinchens, who ranked No. 243 overall in the 2021 On300, is joined in the Hurricanes’ defensive backfield by top-100 prospect James Williams. Both have shown promise in their true freshman seasons.