These are candidates for Freshman of the Year as well as a few, shall we say, honorable mentions. These players represent the offensive side of the ball, and like normal it is a quarterback heavy selection, but they do usually control a game. This season did produce several great rookie players in nearly all positions. These players who are not official candidates represent my opinions solely, and are not based on league choices or any of the league’s decision making. They are not listed in any particular order.
- Vito Pipino, QB – Texas
- 71.6% pass completion percentage
- 3,040 total passing yards
- 8.2 average yards per completion
- Average of 380 passing yards per game
- 25 passing touchdowns
- 157.0 passer rating
- 486 rushing yards
- 7 rushing touchdowns
- 3,526 yards total
- 440.8 average total yards per game
- 32 total touchdowns
Jooby (AD, Texas) – “Vito is the man. He is electrifying to watch on the field. “
- Deandre Burks, QB – USC
- 71% passing completion percentage
- 2,386 total passing yards
- 7.7 average yards per completion
- Averages 298.3 passing yards per game
- 20 touchdowns
- 155.0 passer rating
- 449 rushing yards
- 3 rushing touchdowns
- 2,835 yards total
- 354.4 average total yards per game
- 23 total touchdowns
Ted Stern (AD USC) – “Burks to me has been one of the most valuable quarterbacks we’ve seen in a long time. He’s smart with the football, spreads the ball around to everyone, and he also has the athleticism to make the big plays. He has been the best freshman QB, he plays far beyond his years, and he’s only going to get better as we go on.”
- Oliver Fields, WR – Texas
- 44 receptions
- 880 receiving yards
- 110 average receiving yards per game
- 7 touchdowns
- 5 drops
- 90% catch rate
Jooby (AD, Texas) – “Fields blows the top off any defense, he’s done it to just about every DB who has lined up opposite of him.”
According to Oliver –
1. Q. What was your favorite game this year?
- Texas v Nebraska. I went off with over 200 yards, mostly in one half. Super fun to perform at my maximum potential.
2. Q. What is one area you want to improve on next season?
- Finishing catches for touchdowns. I had several catches where I got caught within the 5-yard line.
3. Q. Name one player you model yourself after, and why?
- Scooby Lewis. He’s the greatest receiver in Texas history.
4. Q. If you win, who will you thank?
- When we win, I will thank Jooby. Dude has been incredible and worked so hard.
5. Q. Who is the funniest person in your locker room?
- bravestang94
- Puma Longtree, HB – Oregon
- 685 total rushing yards
- 110 carries
- 6.2 average yards per carry
- 85.6 average rushing yards per game
- 3 rushing touchdowns
- 48 receptions
- 296 receiving yards
- 6.2 average yards per reception
- 1 receiving touchdown
- 1,623 all-purpose yards total
- 202.9 average all-purpose yards per game
- 4 total touchdowns
Squidy (OC, Oregon) – “Puma has really been a leader on this offense. He had a difficult role in trying to replicate Jimmy Tickle and has done an incredible job so far.”
According to Puma –
1. Q. What was your favorite game this year?
- Favorite game was Florida, it felt like my coming out party.
2. Q. What is one area you want to improve on next season?
- I want to improve on my power, to not get run over so much.
3. Q. Name one player you model yourself after, and why?
- I model my game after Reggie Bush. He was an idol in my childhood and I want to play the game like him.
4. Q. If you win, who will you thank?
- I will thank my teammates, my coaches, and my parents for always supporting me.
5. Q. Who is the funniest person in your locker room?
- Funniest person in the locker room is Chance Sanders by far, that guy always keeps us up.
- Ron Newman – QB – Auburn
- 77% pass completion percentage
- 2,027 total passing yards
- 7.5 average yards per completion
- 253.4 average passing yards per game
- 8 passing touchdowns
- 145.6 passer rating
- 615 rushing yards
- 10 rushing touchdowns
- 2,642 yards total
- 330.3 average yards total per game
- 18 total touchdowns
- 19 broken tackles
Matt Pack (AD, Auburn) – “He was good for a freshman. We didn’t really use him to his full potential, but I feel like he is going to be much better next season.”
