Freshman Five: Week Three, 2022
True freshmen are looking for the opportunity to shine early in their career. Here’s a look at five who took advantage of their chances in week three:
LB – Jaren Kanak – Oklahoma
Jaren Kanak has been a key reserve for the Sooners so far this year, but was pressed into duty when a targeting call in the second quarter disqualified DaShaun White for the remainder of the game. Kanak was up to the task, turning in an excellent performance in Oklahoma‘s 49 – 14 win over Nebraska. He was prepared for his moment, proving to be a tackling machine for the defense the rest of the way. He made a big play on the first drive of the second half, forcing a fumble after a Nebraska completion and recovering the fumble himself. He finished the game with 10 tackles, 1 fumble forced, 1 fumble recovered and a quarterback hurry. Kanak has been contributing as a reserve all season, but when opportunity knocked on Saturday he was ready to answer.
Oklahoma Sooners Gear
LB – Jaishawn Barham – Maryland
The Maryland defense held SMU’s offense in check most of the night, helping the Terps secure a 34 – 27 win. True Freshman linebacker, Jaishawn Barham, played a key role in that effort. Barham impressed all camp and has been listed as a co-starter on the depth chart. Saturday was his coming out party against a high powered SMU offense. The young linebacker tallied 12 tackles and recorded a sack in the Terrapins victory. Barham is a promising prospect who will continue to shine for Maryland this season.
Maryland Terrapins Gear
RB – Kaleb Johnson – Iowa
Iowa‘s offense has been in a rut early this season, but Saturday was a step in the right direction. Though the 27 points Iowa scored in the shutout win over Nevada isn’t a breakout per say, it’s almost double what the Hawkeyes scored in their first two games combined. Freshman running back, Kaleb Johnson, provided the spark the offense needed. Johnson showed off his vision and power on a 40 yard first quarter touchdown that opened the scoring for Iowa, then showed some speed on a 55 yard fourth quarter touchdown that proved to be the final score of the game. He finished the game with 7 carries for 103 yards and 2 touchdown, and a catch for seven yards. He proved he deserves a bigger role, if he gets it he could be the one to breathe some life into the Iowa offense the rest of the season.
Iowa Hawkeyes Gear
RB – Dallan Hayden – Ohio State
Ohio State was clicking on all cylinders in their 77 – 21 demolition of Toledo. The only negative for the offense was that star running back, TreVeyon Henderson left the game after the first drive. While Miyan Williams is capable of carrying the torch, the Buckeyes needed somebody to share the load with him. Dallan Hayden proved to be more than capable. Hayden showed excellent vision and patience for a true freshman, picking his holes and running with good burst to get to the second level. He finished the game with a team high 17 carries for 108 yards and a touchdown. Of course the Buckeyes would like to get Henderson back as soon as possible, but it doesn’t hurt to know Hayden can answer the call when needed.
Ohio State Buckeyes Gear
S – Bryce Anderson – Texas A&M
Bryce Anderson got more playing time than expected in Texas A&M‘s 17 – 9 win over Miami due to a targeting penalty against Demani Richardson. Anderson was pressed into duty in a prime-time game and rose to the challenge. He played with the poise of a veteran, filling the big shoes Richardson left on the back end of the defense. Anderson made 8 tackles in the game and helped the Aggies’ defense keep the Hurricanes out of the end-zone the entire game. His play was key for a defense that was short on depth and needed to support an offense that struggled to generate much offense.
Texas A&M Aggies Gear
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