By: Michael Buck (@Hornsnation)
The Season 22 recruiting class came in with heavy expectations, headline-grabbing names, and enough film to make scouts drool. But as every veteran coach knows, stars and offers don’t win games — stats do. From unexpected explosions to big names that met the moment, we tracked the CFSL’s top 10 most coveted players from last cycle and reviewed how their freshman campaigns stacked up.
1. Richard Williams II – HB, Savannah, GA (Penn State)
There was no bigger name in the Season 22 recruiting cycle than Richard Williams II. The 6’0″, 240-pound bruiser out of Georgia drew 11 offers and proved worth the hype at Penn State. In just eight games, Williams racked up 171 carries for 719 yards, averaging 89.9 yards per game and 4.2 yards per carry. He also added 44 receptions for 217 yards, showing off his dual-threat ability as a reliable pass-catcher. With 3 rushing touchdowns, 17 broken tackles, and only 1 fumble, Williams was a consistent offensive weapon — and a defender’s worst nightmare in open space. Ranked No. 1 overall, his mix of durability, vision, and hands made him one of the most complete backs in the class.
2. JJ Stout – DE, Zionsville, IN (Oklahoma)
JJ Stout came into the league with sky-high expectations and 13 offers to his name — the most of any defensive recruit in Season 22. The 6’4″, 260-pound edge rusher brought a mix of brute force and relentless motor to the Sooners’ defensive line. Though his stat line was brief — 6 total tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and 2 forced fumbles in just 2 games — his impact was far beyond the box score. Stout flashed his disruptive potential early and showed why scouts loved his violent hands and burst off the edge. Ranked as one of the top defensive recruits in the country, his limited sample size only teased what could have been a dominant CFSL career.
3. Maverick Berlin – CB, Oswego, IL (Auburn)
Dubbed “The Berlin Wall” for good reason, Maverick Berlin backed up his 11-offer recruitment with a rock-solid freshman campaign at Auburn. The 5’9″, 190-pound corner was everywhere on the field, racking up 34 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, and 3 interceptions across 9 games. His 3 pass deflections and 14 return yards off picks helped turn defense into offense, making him a threat on both ends of the ball. Berlin’s physical style, quick instincts, and fearless tackling separated him from other DBs in his class. Ranked among the top corners in Season 22, he lived up to the hype and then some as a foundational piece in Auburn’s secondary.
4. Bear Michaels – QB, Austin, TX (Florida State)
The man, the myth, the mammoth — Bear Michaels was one of the most unique quarterback prospects to ever hit the CFSL. Standing 6’3″, 285 lbs, the one-offer wonder turned heads all season with jaw-dropping production at Florida State. In 10 games, Michaels lit up defenses for 3,791 passing yards, completing 317 of 442 attempts for an average of 379.1 yards per game and 8.6 yards per attempt. He tossed 29 touchdowns to just 13 interceptions, posted a 159.5 QB rating, and absorbed 37 sacks. On the ground, Michaels added 289 rushing yards and 3 scores, proving he was more than just a big body. A hidden gem turned superstar.
5. Cohen James – FS, Tiffin, OH (LSU)
A cerebral force in the secondary, Cohen James turned his 4-offer recruiting campaign into a breakout freshman year for LSU. At 6’1″, 195 lbs, James was everywhere for the Tigers’ defense, piling up 61 tackles and 7 tackles for loss across 8 games. He added a crucial interception, which he returned for 61 yards and a touchdown, along with 3 pass deflections. James’s blend of IQ, physicality, and range gave LSU a defensive anchor, and he played like a vet from Day 1.
6. Frankie Frederick – TE, New Braunfels, TX (North Carolina)
A hybrid weapon out of Texas, Frankie Frederick, came into the CFSL with 5 offers and lived up to every bit of the hype at North Carolina. At 6’4″, 250 lbs, Frederick was a mismatch nightmare — too fast for linebackers, too strong for corners. Over 11 games, he hauled in 56 receptions for 682 yards, averaging 12.2 yards per catch and 62 yards per game, with 4 touchdowns. A complete tight end who could block, catch, and bail out his QB, Frederick was a plug-and-play difference-maker.
7. Spunky Tolbert – QB, Susan Moore, AL (Texas)
With a name like Spunky, you better bring the juice — and Tolbert absolutely delivered. The 6’3″, 285-pound gunslinger made his presence felt immediately at Texas, tossing for 3,558 yards and 27 touchdowns across 10 games, with a 148.7 passer rating. He added 426 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns, while breaking 17 tackles and taking only 25 sacks. While he threw 17 picks, his dual-threat ability and leadership gave Texas one of the most dynamic offenses in the CFSL.
8. Haden Jackson – CB, Valrico, FL (Florida State)
Talk about a ball magnet — Haden Jackson burst onto the scene for Florida State with one of the most impressive freshman seasons in the nation. Over 10 games, he totaled 42 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, and an eye-popping 5 interceptions for 112 return yards and a touchdown. He added 10 pass deflections and a forced fumble, becoming a lockdown defender with a nose for big plays. Quietly, one of the biggest steals in the class.
9. Hamilton Berger – TE, West Salem, OR (West Virginia)
Bullied as a kid for his name, now feared for his frame, Hamilton “Ham” Berger turned the jokes into highlight reels. The 6’3″, 255-pound tight end brought physicality and grit to West Virginia, where he logged 30 receptions for 266 yards and 1 touchdown in 8 games. While his numbers weren’t gaudy, his blocking and ball security (only 2 drops) made him a reliable cog in the Mountaineers’ system. Ham Berger is ready to eat.
10. Alexa Earl – QB, Eugene, OR (Oregon)
From powderpuff phenom to CFSL quarterback, Alexa Earl made history — and then made defenders pay. In 8 games, Earl completed 275 of 383 passes for 2,847 yards, with 18 touchdowns and a 144.5 QB rating. She also added 149 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns, averaging 355.9 yards per game through the air. Her poise, efficiency, and decision-making silenced any doubters — and helped the Ducks compete in every game. The future is bright in Eugene.
RE-RANKED: Season 22 Top 10 (Based on Performance)
- Bear Michaels
- Spunky Tolbert
- Alexa Earl
- Cohen James
- Haden Jackson
- Frankie Frederick
- Richard Williams II
- Hamilton Berger
- Maverick Berlin
- JJ Stout
Closing Summary
The numbers don’t lie — Bear Michaels and the QBs stole the show, but the defensive backs and tight ends from this class were quietly elite. While some top recruits didn’t have the volume of others, the potential across the board is undeniable. If Season 22 was the appetizer, we’re in for a full-course feast from this group in the years ahead.
This class didn’t just meet expectations — it reset the bar.
