Throughout week five of college football, there have been a number of true freshman who have gotten more playing time. Even in powerhouses like Alabama and Georgia, freshman have been able to carve out a role in the team. Here are six players who stood out on week five of college football.
Jaheim Oatis, DT, Alabama
The Freshman of the Week has been a key factor in Alabama’s defensive front this season and made a big impact in the Tide’s 49-26 victory over Arkansas. The 6-foot-5, 384-pounder recorded eight tackles, one for loss, two sacks, and two pressures. Oatis disrupted a key two point attempt, that would’ve put Arkansas within a field goal to tie the game. It’s hard for true freshmen to make an impact at defensive tackle, but Oatis has easily put together one of the best freshman performances seen by a defensive tackle in a while.
https://twitter.com/FTBeard7/status/1576313358323630080?s=20&t=uqBhCvYHSLN73HS0K-bHKA
Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ole Miss
Quinshon Judkins continues his outstanding season, helping Ole Miss in a 22-19 win over No. 7 Kentucky. He rushed for 106 yards on 15 carries for one touchdown along with a 14-yard catch. His lone touchdown came from a 48 yard run to put the Rebels up 14-0 in the second quarter. Throughout five games, Judkins is the second leading rusher in the SEC with 535 yard and six touchdowns on 85 carries.
https://twitter.com/OleMissFB/status/1576251568860680192?s=20&t=uqBhCvYHSLN73HS0K-bHKA
Kobe Prentice, WR, Alabama
Kobe Prentice had a breakout game against a struggling Arkansas secondary. He caught three receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown, including a 47-yard touchdown reception to put the Crimson Tide up on the board. Prentice wasn’t the only true freshman wide receiver to make an impact for the Tide, as fellow teammate Isaiah Bond came down with a deep ball in the first half.
https://twitter.com/CFBONFOX/status/1576300743191134208
Harold Perkins, LB, LSU
The No. 1 ranked linebacker in the 2022 cycle has made an early impact on LSU’s defense. The uber-athletic linebacker came up big for the Tigers in their 21-17 win against Auburn, as he recorded three total tackles, a sack, along with a critical fourth quarter interception. The New Orleans native is still developing as a player, but his athleticisms and playmaking prowess has provided a spark to LSU’s defense early on.
https://twitter.com/TreyWallace_/status/1576392955740708866?s=20&t=4AElzy_MaQO0uMBNEo9YdQ
Malaki Starks, DB, Georgia
Starks has made his impact felt early, as he’s already recorded two interceptions this season. The Georgia native had some crucial snaps in the Bulldogs 26-22 win against the Missouri Tigers. He recorded six tackles with a critical broken-up pass near Georgia’s end zone. But, his biggest play of the evening came when he chased down Missouri running back Cody Schrader after a 63-yard gain, tackling him at the one yard line. The tackled forced Missouri to take a field goal, preventing the Tigers from tying up the game.
https://twitter.com/SECNetwork/status/1576377662108491776
David Bailey, EDGE, Stanford
The Mater Dei product showed promises of what he can do, despite Stanford losing to Oregon 45-27. Bailey had a strong performance against the Ducks, as he recorded seven solo tackles, four pressures, and a tackle for loss. Arguably his biggest game of the season so far, Bailey showed hope he can be a foundational piece to help Stanford get back to Pac-12 Championships.