8 College Football Freshmen Who Deserve More Playing Time
It’s hard to believe, but we’re nearing the halfway point of the 2014 season. By now, we have a solid handle on every team in college football as they’ve worked their way into league play with five or six games under their belts.
By now, the freshmen who were untested in August and early September have almost become veterans. They know how the game is played. They’ve made big plays, mistakes and adjustments, all in the name of improving their games.
While a number of talented freshmen have emerged, more are lurking just below the surface of stardom. Some have just earned a starting role. Others are playing behind veterans. Either way, they’ve proved that they deserve a longer look—a chance to show what they can do in critically important situations.
Here are some freshmen who deserve more playing time as the second half of 2014 unfolds.
Alabama CB Tony Brown
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Tony Brown arrived at Alabama with plenty of hype. The 6’0”, 200-pound 5-star freshman was rated as the nation’s No. 9 overall player and No. 2 overall cornerback by 247Sports, and it hasn’t taken him long to earn more playing time.
With starter Eddie Jackson sidelined by injury, Brown worked his way into a starting role against Florida and performed well in a 42-21 win on Sept. 20.
He did struggle at times while matched up against athletic Ole Miss receiver Laquon Treadwell in the Tide’s 23-17 upset loss last week, but Brown has proved that he won’t be kept off the field for long. He should only improve as the 2014 season wears on.
LSU QB Brandon Harris
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Brandon Harris enrolled at LSU with big expectations, and he has done his part to live up to them this fall. As reported by The Advocate's Ross Dellenger, he battled sophomore Anthony Jennings for the starting role throughout spring and preseason practice, narrowly losing the race to lead the Tigers offense onto the field first.
He still saw the field, however, while Jennings started and has been the more impressive of the two quarterbacks. In six games, Jennings has completed 50.5 percent of his passes with five touchdowns against three interceptions, averaging 8.8 yards per attempt. Harris has thrown for 452 yards, completing 56.5 percent of his passes with six touchdowns against one interception, averaging 10.3 yards per attempt.
Harris admittedly struggled in his first career start last week at Auburn, completing three of 14 passes for 58 yards before giving way to Jennings. NOLA.com's Ron Higgins says Harris was "refreshingly honest" after the defeat.
LSU’s schedule gets no easier the rest of the way, with a trip to Florida this week and games against Ole Miss, Alabama and Texas A&M left on the docket. But at 4-2, the Tigers aren’t making the College Football Playoff and aren’t likely contending for the SEC West title. Les Miles should find out what he has in Harris, who is clearly the more dynamic and mobile of his two quarterbacks.
Southern California CB Adoree' Jackson
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When this season began, Southern California freshman Adoree' Jackson looked like one of college football’s most versatile players.
He was a talented cornerback. A dangerous kick returner. A capable wide receiver. The only question was where he would wind up.
Well, as Meat Loaf said, two out of three ain’t bad.
The Trojans are out of the Top 25 following last week’s 38-34 loss to Arizona State, which was clinched on a final-play Hail Mary, but Jackson appears to have found a home in the Trojans secondary. He made his first start at cornerback against the Sun Devils, notching five tackles while also contributing a 56-yard kick return.
Jackson is a multitalented, quick, athletic corner who should make a fast study. He’ll be tested in the pass-happy Pac-12 but should pick up the game quickly.
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Florida State WR Ermon Lane
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When Ermon Lane signed with Florida State, the 5-star prospect was expected to have an opportunity to contribute in the Seminoles’ wide receiver corps. However, the 6’3”, 206-pounder found tough competition.
Through four games, he had only three receptions for 37 yards, all coming against The Citadel. However, when leading receiver Rashad Greene left a rout of Wake Forest with a concussion, Lane found his chance. He took advantage, catching two passes for 70 yards, including a career-long 59-yard gain.
Florida State’s offense is not the place to learn on the job, but Lane should get a closer look going forward. He is a deep threat and could emerge as an excellent target for sophomore quarterback Jameis Winston.
Michigan State DL Malik McDowell
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Before signing with Michigan State, defensive lineman Malik McDowell was the subject of plenty of angst and speculation.
As he wraps up the first half of his freshman year, McDowell has shown that he was worth the hype. He can play defensive end or defensive tackle and has settled in nicely in the Spartans’ defensive tackle rotation.
He is a big, physical player who has carved out about 20 snaps per game in a veteran rotation and is earning the trust of Michigan State’s coaches.
“We like what he’s doing,” MSU defensive line coach Ron Burton said of McDowell to the Detroit Free Press’ Joe Rexrode, “and we’d like to see him on the field more.”
The defensive line can be a difficult place for a true freshman to make an impact, but McDowell is well on his way to earning even more snaps as the Spartans battle for a second consecutive Big Ten Championship.
Ohio State LB Raekwon McMillan
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When he signed with Ohio State, Raekwon McMillan was one of the most highly sought-after prospects in the class of 2014, a 5-star prospect who had his choice of scholarship offers. He chose to play for Ohio State and become the next great linebacker from the Buckeyes defense and appears well on course to do so.
While McMillan has played as a backup behind senior Curtis Grant, he is pushing for a starting role, perhaps sooner than later. McMillan makes plays all over the field more than his stat line (15 tackles, two sacks) suggests. Saturday, he scored his first collegiate touchdown, intercepting Maryland’s Caleb Rowe for a 19-yard touchdown in the Buckeyes’ 52-24 win.
Ohio State co-defensive coordinator Luke Fickell told The (Cleveland) Plain-Dealer’s Ari Wasserman that McMillan is “always around the football.”
McMillan told Wasserman going through spring practice with his new teammates made all the difference, and he’ll only get better:
"I came here early, and I think that's what really changed the game for me. Coming in early and learning the whole process through spring ball, summer and then going through fall camp, just knowing the concepts of the defense really helped me out. ... Now I just want to continue to make plays.
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Clemson WR Artavis Scott
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Clemson welcomed an impressive group of freshman wide receivers, but Scott looks like the best of them. The 5’11”, 185-pound wideout has exceptional speed and is capable of turning a screen pass into a big play in an instant.
Scott has 18 receptions for 305 yards and three touchdowns, and his 16.9 yards per catch ranks third on the Tigers roster. He seems like the perfect complement for fellow true freshman Deshaun Watson, who has emerged as one of college football’s top young quarterbacks.
Yet, Scott can’t get past senior Adam Humphries on the Clemson depth chart. Humphries is solid but unspectacular. He has 15 receptions for just 99 yards, averaging 6.6 yards per carry. Clemson would be wise to give Scott more chances to make big plays all over the field and give him as many snaps as he can handle.
An already good offense would be better for it.
Florida CB Jalen Tabor
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When cornerback Jalen Tabor flipped to Florida from Arizona, it was considered a coup for Will Muschamp and his staff. The 6’0”, 193-pounder had committed to the Wildcats on Jan. 9 but decided on Florida just four days later in a stunning reversal.
Saturday, the former 5-star signee came through in a big way in his first career start at Tennessee. He was a capable cover corner while playing across from All-America sophomore Vernon Hargreaves III. He came up with the biggest play of the day, forcing and recovering a fumble on UT quarterback Justin Worley that the Gators eventually turned into their only touchdown in a surprising 10-9 victory.
It is beginning to look like a lost season in Gainesville, one that could cost Muschamp and his staff their jobs. But whoever inherits Tabor and Hargreaves will have an extremely talented pair of cornerbacks to build around.
Note: Recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.
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