True Freshmen Mountain 2020: October 7 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: 15 tackles 5 TFL 2 Sacks 1 fumble forced
Murphy had built a bit of a lead and though didn’t record any sacks or tackles for loss this week, he was still able to make an impact against Virginia. Murphy made 6 tackles in the game and was active throughout the game. He played a season high 40 snaps last weekend, and will be counted on to make an impact this weekend against Miami. Deuce Vaughn is closing the gap but Murphy is still King here.
Top Challengers
Deuce Vaughn – Kansas State
Stats: 36 car 205 yds 3 TD / 8 rec 234 yds 1 TD
Vaughn was the star of the game for the Wildcats against Texas Tech. He carried the ball 16 times for 113 yards and a touchdown. He was equally dangerous as a receiver catching three passes for 81 yards and a touchdown. Vaughn has emerged as a star for Kansas State and is quickly becoming the go-to guy for the team as a runner and receiver. The WIldcats have a big game coming up against TCU and will need Vaughn to continue his stellar play.
Eli Ricks – LSU
Stats: 6 tak 2 PBU 2 Int
LSU got back on track against Vanderbilt and Ricks played another good game. He recorded another pass break up and made his second interception in as many games. Ricks arrived with high expectations but the way he has made an impact right off the bat has been impressive. Even with Derek Stingley back, Ricks played a lot of snaps and the Tigers pass defense benefited from having both cornerbacks on the field together.
On The Slope
Stats: 33 car 171 yds 1 TD / 6 rec 86 yds 2 TD / 5 kr 137 yds
Gibbs had a bye this week but has performed well enough season to justify staying on the mountain. He will have an opportunity to showcase his abilities on national television Friday night, as the Georgia Tech vs Louisville game will be the only game taking place that night.
Jordan Addison – Pittsburgh
Stats: 23 rec 246 yds 3 TD / 4 car 39 yds / 2 pr 15 yds / 2 kr 39 yds
Pittsburgh lost a close game to NC State this weekend, but Addison was still able to make a big play. He scored early in the game on a long touchdown pass when he got behind the defense. He only caught two passes in the game but they went for 77 yards and the one touchdown. Addison leads the team in receptions and receiving touchdowns and should continue to be an impact player every week.
Shane Illingworth – Oklahoma State
Stats: 36/49 483 yds 3 TD 1 Int / 10 car -12 yds
Illingworth made his second start in relief of Spencer Sanders this week and played well again. Kansas is not a tough test but it’s hard to argue with how well Illingworth is playing; He completed 17 of 23 passes for 263 yards with 3 touchdowns and no interceptions. He has developed a good rapport with star receiver Tylan Wallace and two connects many times Saturday. The Cowboys have a bye before they play Baylor, Sanders may be healthy by then, but if he is not the team is in good hands with Illingworth.
Near The Base
Offense
Jaylan Knighton (RB) – Miami: 18 car 96 yds 1 TD / 4 rec 110 yds 1 TD
Seth McGowan (RB) – Oklahoma: 34 car 181 yds 2 TD / 4 rec 79 yds 1 TD
Marvin Mims (WR) – Oklahoma: 11 catches 144 yards 3 TD / 5 punt returns 65 yards
Quentin Johnson (WR) – TCU: 5 catches 120 yards 1 TD
Don Chaney (RB) – Miami: 22 carries 97 yards 2 TD / 1 catch 15 yards
Chris Tyree (RB) – Notre Dame: 14 car 85 yds 1 TD / 5 KR 104 yds
Lavell Davis Jr – Virginia: 6 rec 159 yds 2 TD
Arik Gilbert (TE) – LSU: 8 catches 80 yards 1 TD
Bryce Young (QB) – Alabama: 5/8 54 yards / 4 carries 2 yards
Will Howard (QB) – Kansas State: 8/13 197 yards 1 TD / 6 carries 7 yards
Michael Mayer (TE) – Notre Dame: 4 catches 43 yards
Defense
Bryan Bresee (DT) – Clemson: 6 Tak 1.5 TFL 1.5 Sack 2 PBU 1 Blk
Malachi Moore (DB) – Alabama: 9 Tak 2 TFL 2 PBU 1 Int
Stefon Thompson (LB) – Syracuse: 15 Tak 1.5 TFL 1 Sack 1 FF
Rob Hanna (S) – Syracuse: 9 Tak 1 TFL 1 Int
Alfred Collins (DT) – Texas: 7 Tak 1.5 TFL 1 Sack
DeMonte Capehart (DT) – Clemson: 3 Tak 2 TFL 1 Sack
Gervon Dexter (DT) – Florida: 3 Tak 1 TFL 1 Int
Dayon Hayes (DE) – Pittsburgh: 2 Tak 2 TFL 2 Sack 1 FF
Kenneth Harris (CB) – Arkansas State: 2 tackles 2 pass breakups
More and more true freshmen are starting to get playing time and with that the mountain will grow some in the near future. Several freshmen are starting to see significant playing time, and more will as teams need depth and when the Big Ten returns to action later this month. 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 17, 2020 - What We Are Watching - CFB Saturdays