Freshman Power Rankings of the Week: Top 5

Another week of college football is behind us. It was another opportunity for freshmen across the country to make an impact for their team.

That's why the B/R freshman power rankings rumble on.  

The freshmen on this list didn't technically have to start—as in, they didn't have to be the first player on the field at their respective position—but they did have to play at least a complementary or rotational role with at least one recordable stat. 

These rankings can also change dramatically from week to week depending on who shines. As the season progresses, power rankings should even out more. 

So which freshmen stood out in Week 2? Which ones had the most jaw-dropping highlights? Which ones underwhelmed? The answers are in the list below. 

Player	School	Position	Stats
KD Cannon	Baylor	Wide Receiver	6 catches, 223 yards, 3 touchdowns
Royce Freeman	Oregon	Running back	13 carries, 89 yards, 2 touchdowns
Malik McDowell	Michigan State	Defensive Line	3 tackles, 0.5 sack for loss of 3 yards
Eli Apple	Ohio State	Cornerback	1 Interception
Deshaun Watson	Clemson	Quarterback	8-of-9, 154 yards, 3 touchdowns

The Standout

Yes, it was against Northwestern State, but how about Baylor wide receiver KD Cannon? The true freshman had six catches for 223 yards and three touchdowns. The Bears have wide receiver talent for days, and Cannon is going to be a star. 

We'll see how Cannon does against better competition, but he does appear to be the deep threat capable of replacing former receiver Tevin Reese. 

Best Highlight

Go figure, but LSU running back Leonard Fournette's stats against Sam Houston State were much better than they were in Week 1 against Wisconsin. 

Fournette had 13 carries for 92 yards and a score, leading all rushers in the game. After his first touchdown, Fournette struck a familiar pose.

Too much, too soon? It's just good to see Fournette out there having fun. 

Speaking of LSU, freshman quarterback Brandon Harris completed four of five passes for 62 yards and a touchdown, adding another 53 yards rushing. 

Who’s Rising?

Michigan State defensive lineman Malik McDowell has had some nice moments in his first two games of the season. Against Oregon, McDowell registered three tackles, two of which were solo, and a half-sack for a loss of three yards. He was part of a Spartans defensive line that actually got some pressure on Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota and stuffed the Ducks' running attack for the first half.

Box score purists will look at the big plays Michigan State gave up in the second half, but the defensive line played well enough. So did McDowell. 

Who’s Falling?

Michigan defensive back Jabrill Peppers. The touted freshman has been banged up since the season opener. According to Nick Baumgardner of Mlive.com, Peppers dressed for the Wolverines' Week 2 game against Notre Dame but didn't play. 

"If he could have played, we'd have played him," head coach Brady Hoke said, via Baumgardner. "We evaluated all those guys before the game, we were evaluating him before the game (and he couldn't play)."

Peppers is big-time talent, but he hasn't been able to have the immediate impact one might have projected because of injuries. 

Ben Kercheval is a lead writer for college football.