12 Freshman Who Can Make An Impact This Season (Offense)
Kevin Coleman looks at twelve incoming offensive freshmen who can make an immediate impact on college campuses this football season!
Every college football season brings a new wave of true freshmen ready to shake up depth charts and turn heads. Despite the chaos the transfer portal brings, elite programs (and savvy coaching staffs) still find ways to get their most talented newcomers on the field early. From future stars to instant-impact role players, these freshmen aren’t just filling gaps, they're fighting for snaps and making noise. In this article, we’re highlighting 12 true freshmen, on the offensive side of the ball, who have the tools, opportunity, and momentum to make an impact in Year 1.
Curious how last year’s picks turned out? Click below to check out the 2024 true freshman impact list.
Bryce Underwood, QB, Michigan
No true freshman enters the 2025 season with more hype or more pressure than Bryce Underwood. The five-star phenom shocked the recruiting world last November when he flipped from LSU to Michigan after nearly a year-long commitment. That single move didn’t just shift the trajectory of Michigan’s quarterback room, it flipped the narrative of Sherrone Moore’s first year as head coach and showed the Wolverines are serious players in the NIL game, reportedly locking in Underwood with a deal worth upwards of $10 million.
Underwood isn’t just hype, he has a proven track record of production. A four-year starter in high school, he threw for over 11,000 yards and accounted for 179 total touchdowns, leading his team to two state titles and posting a ridiculous 50-4 career record.
Despite not turning 18 until just before the season kicks off, Underwood walks into a real QB battle with Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene, transfer Jake Garcia, and former blue-chip recruit Jadyn Davis. But make no mistake, Underwood is the presumed favorite to start Week 1. Michigan had one of the worst passing grades in the country last season, and they desperately need a jolt. Underwood has the arm, the mobility, and the poise to be that guy. If he wins the job, he has the tools to immediately elevate this offense and be the face of a new era in Ann Arbor.
Malik Washington, QB, Maryland
Malik Washington might not have the recruiting stars next to his name, but everything about his profile screams breakout candidate. He’s walking into a wide-open quarterback room at Maryland, and while UCLA transfer Justyn Martin may bring more experience, Washington is the one with real juice. He impressed this spring, flashed during the spring game, and enters fall camp in a legit battle to start Week 1.
At 6’4” and 215 pounds with verified 4.6 speed, Washington is a true dual-threat who doesn’t rely solely on his legs. He’s calm under pressure, sees the field well, and has a quick, compact release. His tape shows a QB who can layer throws, make sideline shots, and extend plays without bailing early. The coaching staff is high on him and they should be. He went 21-3 in high school and stood out at the Elite 11 Finals with his polish and poise.
Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, QB, CAL
Let’s be clear: Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele probably won’t start Week 1. But if Cal’s offense sputters out of the gate which feels more likely than not Jaron could be the spark they desperately need to become bowl eligible.
Sagapolutele arrives in Berkeley as the most hyped QB prospect Cal has signed since Jared Goff, and he backed it up in high school. He left Campbell (HI) as the state’s all-time passing leader with over 10,600 yards, including a senior season where he threw for 3,400 yards, 46 touchdowns, and only three picks. He’s aggressive, twitchy, and absolutely fearless as a passer. There’s still some rawness to his game, but the arm talent is real, and he’s already turning heads in camp.
Cal brought in former Ohio State QB Devin Brown to steady the ship and he’s the likely starter out of the gate but this isn’t a locked-in situation. The Bears’ QB room has very little proven production, and Bryan Harsin’s pro-style system needs a playmaker who can actually stretch the field. If Brown falters, don’t be surprised if the calls for Sagapolutele get loud fast.
From a devy/C2C perspective, this is a long play. But the ceiling is there. If Jaron gets on the field this year and flashes, he’ll be a name to monitor heading into 2026. He’s a perfect deep stash with potential to be Cal’s offensive future—and the upside swing this program needs.
Gideon Davidson, RB, Clemson
Gideon Davidson might be walking into the best freshman opportunity in the country. Clemson's backfield is wide open after Phil Mafah left for the NFL and Jay Haynes went down with a torn ACL in the ACC title game. That leaves Davidson, a spring enrollee with serious juice, in prime position to make noise right away.
This kid is electric. At 5’11”, 185, he’s an explosive runner with verified track speed and a 40-inch vertical. His high school production was flat-out ridiculous: over 8,000 total yards, 132 touchdowns, and back-to-back 2,000-yard seasons to close his career. He’s not just a volume guy either, he averaged nearly 13 yards per carry last season and contributed on special teams with multiple return scores.
What stands out on tape is his vision in zone concepts. He’s a natural one-cut runner with great burst and balance through contact. Clemson coaches are already calling him “special,” and he's gotten first-team reps during spring ball. The competition isn’t deep—outside of Keith Adams Jr., there’s no returning back with any real experience.
Clemson desperately needs playmakers, and Davidson might be their best shot to re-establish a run-game identity. From a devy perspective, this is the type of early path to RB1 usage that can vault a player into top-10 rankings quickly. If you’re playing C2C or CFF, he's a priority target, especially given the pass-catching upside and potential three-down profile.
He’s not just a name to monitor—he’s a breakout candidate from day one.
Ousmane Kromah, RB, Florida State
Ousmane Kromah has been checking every box since the moment he set foot in Tallahassee. He crushed summer workouts, drew praise for his physicality after the first scrimmage, and even went viral for tossing aside a defender in one of FSU’s early camp clips. For Mike Norvell, this isn’t just another freshman, this is a player he’s scouted and followed for years, and it shows in how excited the staff is about his potential.
At 6’0”, 200 pounds, Kromah brings the complete package: size, speed, hands out of the backfield, and a basketball background that shows up in his fluid movement. He’s smart, competitive, and already proving he can handle the jump to college ball. Florida State has plenty of experience in the backfield with Roydell Williams, Caziah Holmes, Gavin Sawchuk, and others, but Kromah’s skill set might be too good to keep on the bench.
His high school résumé is elite: three straight 1,000-yard seasons, 1,356 rushing yards and 15 scores as a senior, plus another 741 yards and eight touchdowns as a receiver. That versatility is going to make it hard for coaches to take him off the field, even in a crowded RB room.
From a devy and C2C perspective, Kromah is a name you want on your watch list. Even if he starts in a rotational role, his talent will force opportunities. The long-term upside is clear, this is a future RB1 profile in the making.
Dakorien Moore, WR, Oregon
If 2024 was the year of Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams, 2025 could belong to Dakorien Moore. The former Duncanville (TX) star brings track-verified, elite speed to Eugene: 10.4 seconds in the 100-meter dash and it translates perfectly to the football field. Moore isn’t just fast in a straight line, either. His agility, suddenness out of breaks, and ability to stack defensive backs make him one of the most dangerous separators in this freshman class.
At 5’11”, 186 pounds, Moore plays bigger than his frame thanks to his strong hands, body control, and leaping ability. He dominated against top Texas competition, racking up over 4,000 career receiving yards, 40 touchdowns, and two state championships. He’s also a big-game player; just last fall, he posted 1,460 yards and 19 scores on 74 receptions.
Oregon already planned to get him involved early, but Evan Stewart’s offseason knee injury just changed everything. With Stewart sidelined, the Ducks lose all three of their top receivers from last season, creating a massive opportunity for Moore to step right into a feature role in Will Stein’s high-powered passing attack.
From a devy and C2C perspective, Moore checks every box: elite athleticism, immediate opportunity, and a proven production profile. He’s the kind of receiver who could be a household name by midseason and a consensus top-10 WR in the country by the time his freshman year wraps up.
Dallas Wilson, WR, Florida
If you didn’t know Dallas Wilson’s name before Florida’s spring game, you definitely do now. Ten catches. 195 yards. Two touchdowns. That wasn’t just a good day, it was a statement. The crazy part? Florida’s coaches and quarterbacks basically predicted it before kickoff. That tells you everything you need to know about how real the hype is.
Wilson already looks the part of an alpha wideout. At 6’3”, 209 pounds with massive 10-inch hands, he brings a blend of size, length, and explosiveness that’s tailor-made for WR1 duties. Originally pegged as a vertical threat, he’s expanded his game to create chunk plays after the catch, showing improved route nuance and physicality. He also brings an edge as a blocker; he’s not shy about mixing it up with DBs when the ball isn’t coming his way, which is exactly the kind of detail that keeps a freshman on the field.
Florida flipped Wilson from Oregon after the Gasparilla Bowl, making him the crown jewel of their 2025 class. Now he’s already penciled in alongside Eugene Wilson III and J. Michael Sturdivant as a projected starter. In an offense that’s looking for consistent playmakers, he has a clear path to being “the guy” sooner rather than later.
From a devy perspective, Wilson is the kind of early-impact receiver you want to grab before the breakout is official. If he’s going outside the top 25 WRs right now, that’s a buying opportunity you won’t get for long.
Joshua Moore, WR, Miami
Joshua Moore brings the kind of size and ball skills Miami’s been searching for on the outside. At just under 6’4” and 205 pounds, he looks the part of a true X receiver from day one, with the frame, strength, and hands to win in contested situations. He attacks the football in the air, boxes out defenders, and makes the kind of back-shoulder grabs that quarterbacks trust in high-leverage spots.
Moore’s high school résumé speaks for itself; nearly 1,900 career receiving yards and 20 touchdowns in just 21 games, despite missing time as a junior due to injury. He was a consistent producer from the moment he stepped on the field, and his senior year only cemented his reputation as one of Florida’s most reliable big-play threats.
With Xavier Restrepo and Isaiah Horton gone, Miami’s WR room has snaps and targets available. Head coach Mario Cristobal and receivers coach Kevin Beard have been looking for a true perimeter weapon, and Moore’s skill set fits the bill. He’s not a burner, but he wins with physicality, timing, and body control; traits that translate immediately in a pro-style system.
For devy and C2C managers, Moore’s path to early playing time is clear. If he locks down that outside role this fall, his size and red-zone appeal could make him a go-to option in Miami’s passing game sooner than later.
Jayvan Boggs, WR, Florida State
Jayvan Boggs may not have the top-end speed or flash of some other freshmen in this class, but he’s the kind of reliable playmaker coaches love to trust early. Slotted primarily in the slot as the “5-WR” in Florida State’s offense, Boggs has been earning first-team looks even before camp injuries opened more opportunities. Teammates call him a “silent assassin” because he’s always open and rarely makes mistakes.
The production speaks for itself; Boggs dominated in high school, winning Mr. Florida Football twice and posting video game numbers. In his final two seasons at Cocoa, he racked up over 4,500 receiving yards and 45 touchdowns, including a 99-catch, 2,133-yard, 24-touchdown senior year. That kind of consistency makes it easy to see why the staff is already talking about him as a possible WR3 behind Duce Robinson and Squirrel White.
Florida State’s passing game was a mess last season, but this year’s revamped group desperately needs dependable targets. Boggs fits that mold perfectly. He is sure-handed, polished in his routes, and unafraid to work the middle of the field. He’s not just a possession guy either; he’s shown enough YAC ability to turn short throws into chunk plays.
From a C2C and devy angle, Boggs may not be an immediate high-ceiling fantasy play, but he’s the type who can carve out steady production as a freshman and grow into a focal point of the offense by Year 2. In deeper formats, that’s worth stashing before the breakout happens.
Linkon Cure, TE, Kansas State
Linkon Cure isn’t just Kansas State’s top recruit in the modern era. He’s one of the most intriguing athletes in this entire freshman class. At 6’4”, 230 pounds, Cure has the length, speed, and multi-sport background to become a true mismatch weapon in the Wildcats’ passing attack. In high school, he was a two-way standout, posting 57 catches for 1,049 yards and 17 touchdowns on offense while also making over 50 tackles and snagging three interceptions on defense.
His athletic résumé is elite. Cure was an all-state basketball player and a state champion hurdler in both the 100 and 300 meters, even breaking the Kansas state record in the 100-meter hurdles. That explosiveness shows up on the football field; he’s a smooth mover in space, wins above the rim, and has the long speed to stretch the seam.
Cure arrives in Manhattan as the centerpiece of Chris Klieman’s 2025 recruiting class, and the timing couldn’t be better. With Avery Johnson emerging as one of the Big 12’s most exciting quarterbacks, Kansas State now has a potential difference-maker at tight end who can grow alongside him. While true freshmen at the position often take time to develop, Cure’s skill set gives him a real shot to carve out a role early.
From a devy standpoint, he’s a projection play with legitimate NFL upside. In C2C leagues, the question is simply how quickly Kansas State unleashes him. If the connection with Johnson clicks, Cure could be on the fast track to becoming one of the most dangerous tight ends in college football.
David Sanders Jr., OT, Tennessee
Landing David Sanders Jr. was the ultimate recruiting statement for Josh Heupel and Tennessee. The Volunteers fended off heavy hitters like Georgia, Ohio State, and Clemson to secure one of the top offensive line prospects in the country and one of the best recruits in program history. At 6’6”, 305 pounds, Sanders has the frame, athleticism, and technique to be an immediate difference-maker, and the path to early playing time couldn’t be more open.
Tennessee’s offensive line was a liability last season, ranking 105th nationally in PFF’s grading, and they lost four starters up front. Sanders started spring cross-training at both tackle spots before settling in on the right side, where he’s now the favorite to start Week 1 against Syracuse. His senior year tape is dominant; he didn’t allow a single sack, showed rare movement skills for his size, and played with a mean streak in space that fits perfectly in this offense.
While most freshman linemen need a year in the weight room, Sanders has already bulked up from 275 in high school to over 300 pounds without losing quickness. If he adapts quickly to SEC speed, he could be Tennessee’s next cornerstone up front and a multi-year starter with early NFL buzz.
Andrew Babalola, OT, Michigan
Andrew Babalola might be raw, but he’s walking into a perfect situation to make an early impact. Michigan’s offensive line slipped badly last year, allowing far too much pressure and struggling to run the football consistently especially at right tackle. Head coach Sherrone Moore needed a difference-maker in the 2025 class, and he found one in Babalola, the highest-rated offensive lineman Michigan has signed in the recruiting rankings era.
A former high school basketball standout from Kansas, Babalola only started playing football in 2023 but quickly turned into a five-star prospect with offers from Georgia, Oklahoma, and Penn State. His size, athleticism, and foot quickness make him an ideal fit in Michigan’s scheme, and the staff showed their belief in him by making him the first overall pick in the spring game draft. He had the typical ups and downs you’d expect from a player still new to the sport, but the tools were obvious.
Babalola begins camp as the projected LT2 behind Evan Link, but the competition is ongoing. Coaches have been vocal about how far ahead he is developmentally, and if Link struggles, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Babalola take over at some point this season. Long-term, he has the ceiling to be Michigan’s next great tackle and a future NFL draft pick.