2020 Season Recap: The True Freshmen Who Shined

Recruiting has always been the most crucial part of building a college football roster. Some recruits get the opportunity to shine sooner than others because of their ability, a thin roster at their position or injuries. Here we look at the true freshmen that shined in their first season on campus.

QB – DJ Uiagalelei – Clemson

Uiagalelei was not expected to play a key role for Clemson with Trevor Lawrence entrenched as the starter. When Lawrence tested positive for Covid and had to miss two games, Uiagalelei was thrust into the spotlight. He played very well and showed Clemson fans the future is bright behind center for the Tigers. In 2020, Uiagalelei completed 78 of 117 passes for 914 yards with 5 touchdowns and no interceptions. He also ran 28 times for 60 yards and four touchdowns.

RB – Tank Bigsby – Auburn

It took Bigsby two games to become the primary running back for the Tigers. Once he got the playing time Bigsby flourished, running for over 100 yards in three straight games before injuries limited his effectiveness to close out the year. Despite the injuries, the year was a success for Bigsby who ran for 834 yards and five touchdowns on 138 carries and catching 11 passes for 84 yards.

RB – Bijan Robinson – Texas

Texas took a little time getting Robinson involved in the offense, but his role grew as the season progressed. With more touches Robinson began to make big plays on a regular basis. He ran for over 100 yards in three of the last four games of the season and averaged over eight yards per carry for the year. Robinson finished the season with 86 carries for 703 yards and four touchdowns, to go with 15 catches for 196 yards and 2 receiving touchdowns.

WR – Marvin Mims – Oklahoma

Mims was a big play threat for the Sooners all season long. He came on strong and caught touchdowns in seven of Oklahoma’s eleven games this year. He had a big game against Iowa State in the Big 12 Championship Game, catching 7 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown. Mims finished the season with 37 catches for 610 yards and 9 touchdowns.

WR – Jordan Addison – Pittsburgh

Addison was Pittsburgh’s go-to receiver in 2020. He caught multiple passes in all ten games he played this season and led the team in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Addison’s best game of the season came against Miami when he caught 8 passes for 147 yards. Through ten games in 2020, Addison made 60 catches for 666 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also ran for 58 yards on 9 carries as he was the Panthers’ best offensive weapon this year.

TE – Michael Mayer – Notre Dame

Mayer proved to be a reliable target for the Notre Dame offense this year. He has good athleticism and is difficult to tackle in the secondary. Mayer caught five passes both times the Irish played Clemson and caught seven passes in the semifinal loss to Alabama. He finished the 2020 season with 42 catches for 450 yards and 2 touchdowns.

T – Peter Skoronski – Northwestern

Skoronski won the starting left tackle job for the Wildcats after Rashawn Slater opted out. Skoronski played well right off the bat and helped anchor the offensive line as the Wildcats made a run to the Big Ten Championship Game. Skoronski was very good as a run blocker and held his own in pass protection on the blindside.

T – Robert Scott Jr – Florida State

Scott did not win the job coming out of training camp but took over early in the season. He was up and down in times as a pass blocker but did a good job run blocking for the Seminoles. Scott provides a bright spot that Florida State will count on to become a key contributor as the team rebuilds.

G – Gus Hartwig – Purdue

Hartwig earned playing time quickly in 2020 and became a regular at guard for the Boilermakers. He was sound on the interior as a both a pass blocker and run blocker stepping in and solidifying the inside of the offensive line. Hartwig will be a mainstay at guard for Purdue over the course of his career.

G – Bryan Felter – Rutgers

Rutgers has a successful first season under Greg Schiano and Felter is one of the players from Schiano’s first recruiting class to contribute early in his career. Felter was more comfortable in pass protection then he was in the running game in his first season for the Scarlet Knights. Felter performed admirably and will be a part of the foundation up front for Rutgers.

C – Jake Renfro – Cincinnati

Renfro emerged over the last six games of the season for the Bear Cats. He was part of an offensive line unit that helped Cincinnati win the AAC and play in a New Years Six Bowl. Renfro was solid at the center spot which is tough to do as a true freshmen, he handled pass rushers well and was solid leading the way for Cincinnati’s running attack.

DE – Myles Murphy – Clemson

Murphy was part of a star studded defensive line class for the Tigers. He quickly proved he was ready for ACC football recording three tackles for loss and two sacks in the season opening win over Wake Forest. Murphy was disruptive and effective as a pass rusher, but he excelled defending the run at the defensive end spot. For the season, Murphy recorded 39 tackles 11.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks and 3 forced fumbles.

DE – Will Anderson Jr – Alabama

Anderson took a few games to make a big impact in the box score, but was making an impact as a pass rusher even when he wasn’t getting sacks early in the year. He closed out the SEC schedule on a hot streak, over his last six games in conference play he made 9.5 tackles for loss. Anderson was a key pass rusher for the Tide during the Championship run, finishing the season with 52 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 7 sacks and 1 fumble forced for the year.

DT – Bryan Bresee – Clemson

Bresee was the top ranked recruit on the star studded defensive line class Clemson signed in 2020. Like Murphy, he quickly adapted to the college game and became an impact player along Clemson’s front. Defensive tackle is a tough spot for true freshmen to make an immediate impact, but Bresee was excellent for the Tigers. He commanded the attention of blockers and made big plays consistently. Bresee finished the season with 23 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 2 pass breakups and a forced fumble.

DT – Jalen Carter – Georgia

Carter earned playing time early for a talented Georgia defense and became more of a contributor on the interior as the season progressed. Carter proved to be physically ready in the middle as a true freshman and played a key role for the Georgia defense. The athletic big man recorded 14 tackles, 3 tackles for loss and 5 QB hurries in 2020.

LB – Noah Sewell – Oregon

Oregon only played seven games in 2020, but Sewell was able to showcase his abilities early and often for the Ducks. His playing time and production continued to increase as the season progressed. Sewell is a star in the making for the Oregon defense and will only continue to improve over his career. Over seven games he made 45 tackles with 6.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and a fumble forced.

LB – Nick Herbig – Wisconsin

The Badgers also only played seven games in 2020. Herbig proved to be an excellent blitzer off the edge for the Badgers and showed his pursuit and closing ability early and often for Wisconsin. He recorded at least one tackle for loss in four of the Badgers seven games this year. In 2020, Herbig totaled 26 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 1 sack and a pass breakup.

CB – Eli Ricks – LSU

Ricks made it back to back true freshmen who starred for the Tigers from the get go. Ricks was excellent in coverage and lived up to his lofty ranking despite the teams struggles around him. He was physical against the run as well and will continue the strong tradition of cornerback play at LSU. Ricks was credited with 20 tackles, 5 pass breakups and 4 interceptions this year, he returned two of the interceptions for a touchdown.

CB – Malachi Moore – Alabama

Moore played in the slot for Alabama in 2020 and became a difference maker for the Tide during their championship season. Moore fit into the Alabama defense perfectly and was able to make plays in a variety of ways in 2020. The star defensive back made 44 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 6 pass breakups, 3 interceptions, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble which he returned for a touchdown.

CB – Clark Phillips III – Utah

The Utes had one of the shorter seasons in college football this year playing just five games. Phillips earned a starting spot as a cornerback and was sound on the outside. He showed the ability that made him the highest ranked recruit to commit to Utah. In those five games, Phillips accounted for 25 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 pass breakups, 1 fumble recovery and 1 interception which he returned for a touchdown.

S – Ja’Qurious Conley – North Carolina

Conley is another player that saw his role increase as the season moved forward. He actually lined up in multiple spots for the Tar Heels defense showing his versatility. Conley was solid in coverage, but performed particularly well against the run and in blitz situations. For the year, Conley had 35 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack and 1 pass breakup in 10 games.

S – Rob Hanna – Syracuse

Hanna did not play in the first two games for the Orange, but became a tackling machine as the season progressed. He was a steady performer for Syracuse and one of several true freshman who will be part of the rebuild for the team. Hanna finished the season with 55 tackles, 2 tackles for loss and 1 interception in nine games.

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