Many freshman across the country are putting up big numbers and helping their respective teams only five or six months out of high school. Not only do most of these players make me feel old because they are 18 and playing college football, some of them have put themselves among the statistical leaders in the NCAA. So, here they are, “The Top 10 Impact Freshman in College Football.”
10. Noel Divine – RB – West Virginia – Divine has been nothing short of unbelievable in limited action this year. He has rushed for 316 yards this season on 32 carries (9.9 per) with three TD’s. Many of us have seen what this kid did in high school on youtube (if not check here) and personally I can’t wait to see the numbers he puts up as feature back next season.
9. Ryan Mallett – QB – Michigan
Mallett came in for an injured Chad Henne and led the Wolverines to a victory of Notre Dame and then #10 Penn State. Sure Mike Hart and his nearly 1000 yards through six games had something to do with it, but Mallett certainly showed the talent and poise that made him the #2 quarterback in the 2007 recruiting class.
8. Terry Grant – (Redshirt) – RB – Alabama
Grant is Alabama’s leading rusher with 531 yards along with five TDs. He is running at 6.2 yards a pop and word is that he hand sews each and every one of Nick Saban’s dumb looking hats.
7. Demarco Murray – (Redshirt) – RB – Oklahoma
Murray is Oklahoma’s leading rusher and Sam Bradford running mate. He has nine TDs thus far and is 15th in the nation in scoring for the #6 Sooners. (High school clip below, the first run is unbelievable)
6. Jimmy Clausen – QB – Notre Dame
Clausen beat out redshirt Freshman Demetrius Jones (who later transferred) and junior Evan Sharpley for the starting job. Even though Notre Dame started the season 0-5, you can only blame Clausen so much. Personally, I like to blame Charlie Weis, it just seems like it should be his fault. This team has many holes to fill and Clausen has done a decent job for a guy who is on pace to get sacked 45 times in 10 games.
5. Arrelious Benn – WR – Illinois
Benn was a Notre Dame commit who de-committed seemingly because of Jimmy Clausen’s previous haircut. Notre Dame could use this guy who has become the leading receiver and returner for a 5-1 (3-0 Big Ten) Illinois team.
4. Jake Locker – (Redshirt) QB – Washington
Locker was instrumental in Washington’s early season win over #22 Boise State. He is just as dangerous with his arms as he is with his feet as he leads the team in rushing and passing. He will have a chance to come up huge in the team’s next two games against #14 Arizona State and #9 Oregon.
3. Tyrod Taylor – QB – Virginia Tech
Tyrod took over for Sean Glennon as starter following a crushing defeat at LSU. Since that loss, Thomas ran through Ohio, William & Mary, and North Carolina before passing his biggest test yet with a big win at Clemson last Saturday. Tyrod rushed for 118 yards in the team’s victory over #22 Clemson in Death Valley. Sure its Ohio, but he looks pretty damn good.
2. Michael Crabtree (Redshirt) – WR – Texas Tech
Question: Who leads the NCAA in scoring? Darren McFadden? Steve Slaton? P.J. Hill? No, No, and No. The answer is Texas Tech freshman wide receiver Michael Crabtree, who leads the country with in receptions (70), receiving yards (1074), TDs (17), and scoring (102 points). He has also set the all-time mark for receiving TDs by a Freshman.
1. Sam Bradford (Redshirt) – QB – Oklahoma
Bradford is putting up un-godly numbers for the Sooners this season. Bradford leads the NCAA in passer efficiency rating by 12 points (187.03) and has 18 TDs against 4 interceptions while completing passes at a 70.7 clip. If the Sooners keep winning and never have to play Colorado again, Sam should be in the Heisman discussion.
The Angry T
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