Week 10 has come and gone and with that we now enter the final third of the football season. Every year I’m amazed by how quick it goes. For some true Freshman these ten weeks have been bliss: TreyVeon Henderson and Caleb Williams cemented themselves as top 8 devy prospects, Carson Steele went from unrated recruit to G5 super producer, and Braelon Allen has hit 5 straight 100 yard rushing games and is not even 18 years old. However there is a large group of Freshman who are yet to make their mark, whether due to injuries, crowded depth charts, or under performance. While it is far too early to completely write any of these players off, they are behind the eight ball as far as favorable outcomes go. Here is to hoping for a great final month for the Marvin Harrison Jr, Agiye Hall, LJ Johnson, or Armoni Goodwin’s of the world! Now let’s take a look at who stood out during Week 10.
The Freshmen
Seth Henigan
Memphis – QB – 0.8464 247 composite
One of the most convincing pieces of evidence of Henigan’s value came two weeks ago when Henigan missed the game against UCF. Memphis passed for 200 yards, 3 interceptions, no touchdowns and were largely unable to move the ball all night. Now coming off a bye week people wondered if Henigan would come out looking rusty against SMU, and perhaps in the first quarter he did. However he turned it on from there. The diaper dandy went 34/53 for 392, two scores and a pick. This was his 5th game over 300 yards, and he has better than a 3:1 TD to Interception ratio. He is second in the conference in yards, despite missing a game, and has completed over 60% of his passes. He already conducts himself with the aplomb of an upperclassman, making correct audibles at the line, and showcasing great pocket awareness. While he does not have much of any rushing to his game, he is certainly not a statue in the pocket. He is someone I am trading for in C2C leagues, especially if I have productive SR’s that I can sell to playoff teams.
Elijah Spencer
Charlotte – WR – 0.8301 247 composite
The Irmo, SC product had his best game of his young collegiate career against Rice this weekend. He set personal bests with catches (6), yards (77), targets (7) and touchdowns (2). An alumni of Dutch Fork HS, Elijah never lost in his 4 years of HS (one tie), and he brings that toughness and winning mentality to the 49’ers. He is currently third on the team in catches and yards, and tied for first in receiving touchdowns. He is probably not draftable in C2C drafts just yet, as DuBose figures to be the WR1 next year, but he is still someone worth keeping an eye on.
Rodney Hammond Jr
Pittsburgh – RB – 0.8710 247 composite
Hammond had a nice game against Clemson two weeks ago, and he struck again in week 10 against Duke. He rushed 16 times for 81 yards and a score, all team highs. Hammond is no stranger to big games. Last spring he ran for 305 yards on only 12 carries for Booker T. Washington in Norfolk, Va. The Pitt backfield was widely considered Abanikanda’s for the taking, but it has turned into a timeshare of late. Unfortunately, at 5’9 and 175 lbs he is undersized and has at least one, if not two, seasons of fighting Abanikanda for touches. This means he is not a priority target for me in C2C leagues, but, again, he is a name worth knowing.
Mikey Keene
UCF – QB – 0.8601 247 composite
Thrust into the fire due to Dillon Gabriel’s broken collar bone six weeks ago, Keene has performed serviceably. He did enough against Tulane to eek out a 14-10 win. Keene went 19/25 (76%!) for 229 yards and 2 touchdowns and no picks. This was his second game with no interceptions. Over the last two weeks he has really started to improve, tossing seven touchdowns to one interception, throwing for 458 yards in the process.
Keagan Johnson
Iowa – WR – 0.8917 247 composite
The former bluechip recruit has been having himself a nice season for the Hawkeyes. KJ leads all WR on the team in receiving yards so far this season. Against Northwestern he caught 5 balls out of 10 targets (encouraging!) for 68 yards. He IS someone I’m trying to get late in C2C drafts this offseason. Iowa is unlikely to be a passing monster, but his pedigree, size, and receiving market share all are encouraging indicators of a strong collegiate career with a shot at the pros.
Quick Hits
Alton McCaskill – RB – Houston
The college super producer gashed USF for 125 yards and 3 touchdowns on 22 carries.
Beaux Collins – WR – Clemson
Reeled in 6 of 9 targets for 104 yards and a score against Louisville. Led the nation for true freshman receiving yards.
Braelon Allen- RB – Wisconsin
Notched his fifth straight 100 yard game against Rutgers. Toted the rock fifteen times for 129 yards, finding pay dirt along the way.
TreyVeon Henderson – RB – Ohio St
Despite being “held” to 92 yards on 22 carries against Nebraska, he still tallied 6 catches for 44 yards through the air.
Carson Steele – RB – Ball St
Thor led the nation in freshman rushing yards, rushing 27 times for 154 yards (adding a five yard touchdown reception) against NIU.
Montrell Johnson – RB – ULL
Continued his assault on opposing defenses against Ga St, rushing for 92 yards, and two house calls on 17 carries.
Cameron Friel – RB – UNLV
Had arguably his best game under center for the Rebels. He completed 20 out of 33 passes for 227 yards, 2 touchdowns and a pick against UNM.
Logan Diggs – RB – Notre Dame
The ND freshman ran 8 times for 59 yards and a touchdown against Navy. He has now ran for 101 yards and 2 scores the last two weeks.
Timmy McClain – QB – USF
Led all freshman in fantasy points week 10. Against Houston he threw for 282 yards (a career best), 2 scores (2 ints), and rushed 11 times for 46 yards and another touchdown.
