True Freshmen Mountain 2020: October 21 Update
The True Freshmen Mountain is our way of tracking the impact college football’s newcomers are having. It’s like the game, King of the Mountain, the player on the top is King, and everyone else is doing their best to knock him off the peak. We will update the list every week adding in the performances from that week. The mountain is based on a players performance for the season. We are judging players based on their production, the level of competition they performed against and the eye test. To see last week’s true freshmen mountain click here.
King Of The Mountain
Myles Murphy – Clemson
Season Stats: 21 tackles 7 TFL 3.5 Sacks 2 fumble forced
Clemson absolutely dominated Georgia Tech, which meant less playing time for Murphy and the other starters but he still managed 2 tackles, a sack and a fumble forced. Murphy was quick off the ball and a regular presence in the Georgia Tech backfield. He has been an impact player on the defensive line and is making it tough for anyone to unseat him on top of the mountain.
Top Challengers
Deuce Vaughn – Kansas State
Stats: 50 car 238 yds 3 TD / 9 rec 279 yds 1 TD
Kansas State had a bye week so Vaughn wasn’t in action. He has been a threat as a runner and receiver this year. He has become a key component of the Wildcats offense. We expect him to continue to produce at a high level as the season moves forward.
Stats: 61 car 299 yds 2 TD / 11 rec 169 yds 3 TD / 5 kr 137 yds
It was a tough day for the Georgia Tech offense but Gibbs was one of the few players who was able to shake loose from the Clemson defense. Clemson was in the backfield regularly but Gibbs was able to shake free and run for 67 yards on 15 carries and catch 3 passes for 23 yards. It wasn’t a big day but considering how undermanned the Yellow Jackets were, Gibbs proved he could compete at the highest level.
Closing In On The Top Group
Stats: 50 car 303 yds 1 TD / 11 rec 84 yds
Bigsby backed up his big game two weeks ago with another strong performance last week. He carried the ball 16 times for 111 yards and a touchdown. With back to back 100 yards rushing performances to his credit, Bigsby has provided a boost to the Auburn offense. He has earned more playing time going forward and will have the opportunity to continue to climb the mountain.
Jordan Addison – Pittsburgh
Stats: 38 rec 444 yds 3 TD / 5 Car 43 yds / 2 PR 15 yds / 2 KR 39 yds
The Panther’s were without their starting quarterback, but that did not stop Addison from having a big day against Miami. He made 8 catches for 147 yards, doing his best to give Pittsburgh a chance to win the game. He was able to get open against the Miami defensive backs and did a good job of picking up chunk plays to help move the ball. Addison has been a star as a true freshman for the Panthers.
Chris Tyree – Notre Dame
Stats: 32 car 220 yds 2 TD / 2 rec 15 yds / 8 KR 180 yds
Notre Dame had a rough outing offensively against Louisville. Tyree didn’t get a lot of touches, but was effective when he did get the ball, running for 32 yards on 7 carries and catching 2 passes for 15 yards. He has game breaking ability and can provide a spark when the offense is in a rut. He should continue to get touches and show his big play ability.
On The Slope
Eli Ricks – LSU
Stats: 7 tak 2 PBU 2 Int
LSU had an unexpected bye this past weekend due to Florida having positive Covid tests. The break came at a good time for the Tigers giving them a chance to figure things out on defense. Ricks will definitely be a part of the solution in Baton Rouge and will continue to play well.
Malachi Moore – Alabama
Stats: 18 Tak 1 TFL 3 PBU 2 Int
Moore has become a mainstay in the Crimson Tide defense earning the starting spot at the STAR position. In a big game against Georgia, Moore made 2 tackles, broke up a pass, intercepted a pass and recorded a quarterback hurry. This has been PAR for the course for Moore who has become a playmaker in the secondary as a true freshman.
Akheem Mesidor – West Virginia
Stats: 15 Tak 4.5 TFL 4 Sacks
Mesidor has become a nice compliment to the Stills’ brothers on West Virginia’s defensive line. He had his best game of the season against Kansas, making 6 tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. He has been a regular in the offensive backfield this year and a key component on what has been an excellent Mountaineer defense.
Near The Base
Offense
Shane Illingworth (QB) – Oklahoma State: 36/49 483 yds 3 TD 1 Int / 10 car -12 yds
Marvin Mims (WR) – Oklahoma: 15 catches 196 yards 4 TD / 6 punt returns 101 yards
Arik Gilbert (TE) – LSU: 14 catches 177 yards 2 TD
Seth McGowan (RB) – Oklahoma: 34 car 181 yds 2 TD / 4 rec 79 yds 1 TD
Lavell Davis Jr – Virginia: 9 rec 210 yds 3 TD
Jaylan Knighton (RB) – Miami: 26 car 121 yds 1 TD / 10 rec 136 yds 1 TD
Quentin Johnson (WR) – TCU: 5 catches 120 yards 1 TD
Don Chaney (RB) – Miami: 28 carries 123 yards 2 TD / 2 rec 12 yards
Will Howard (QB) – Kansas State: 16/32 314 yards 1 TD 1 INT / 19 carries 93 yards
Michael Mayer (TE) – Notre Dame: 7 catches 80 yards 1 TD
Defense
Rob Hanna (S) – Syracuse: 24 Tak 1 TFL 1 Int
Jordan Burch (DT) – South Carolina: 10 Tak 2 TFL 1 FR
Bryan Bresee (DT) – Clemson: 7 Tak 1.5 TFL 1.5 Sack 2 PBU 1 Blk
BJ Ojulari (DE) – LSU: 5 Tak 2 TFL 1 Sack 1 FF
Stefon Thompson (LB) – Syracuse: 16 Tak 1.5 TFL 1 Sack 1 FF
Alfred Collins (DT) – Texas: 8 Tak 1.5 TFL 1 Sack
Jalen Carter (DT) – Georgia: 5 Tak 1 TFL 1 QBH
Gervon Dexter (DT) – Florida: 4 Tak 1 TFL 1 Int
DeMonte Capehart (DT) – Clemson: 3 Tak 2 TFL 1 Sack
Dayon Hayes (DE) – Pittsburgh: 3 Tak 2.5 TFL 2.5 Sack 1 FF
Clarence Lewis (CB) – Notre Dame: 7 Tak 1 TFL 3 PBU
The true freshmen mountain added a layer this week as the number of true freshmen making an impact has continued to increase. The Big Ten and Mountain West begin play this weekend with the MAC and PAC 12 not far behind, this should add plenty of competition on the mountain. We will update the true freshman mountain weekly to update the rankings as the season moves forward.
For our recap of the past weekend in college football click here.
For more content like this don’t forget to subscribe to our website.
For the latest content follow us on twitter @saturdayscfb & @cfbsaturdaysC or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CFBSaturdays
Pingback: October 31, 2020 - What We Are Watching - CFB Saturdays
Pingback: October 28, 2020 - True Freshmen Mountain - CFB Saturdays