Devy Fantasy Football: Top Week 13 Freshman Performances
Any big-time performance by a true freshman in college football is always exciting. Aside from the fact that you're watching a teenager not far removed from prom excel in a sport where 5th and 6th-year college seniors are the norm, there's the tantalizing promise of what said freshman can develop into and bring to his program years down the line.
It's always worth keeping an eye on big freshman performances for college and devy fantasy football leagues alike. Check out our fantasy football devy rankings page for more on players to target in these league formats. With that, let's get into some of the top performances of Week 13 by freshmen across the country.
College Football Week 13 Freshman Quarterback Standouts
QB Deuce Knight, Auburn vs. Mercer
Yes, it came in the SEC's annual cupcake game directly before rivalry week, but true freshman gunslinger Deuce Knight was absolutely spectacular for the Tigers. He totaled six touchdowns, including two through the air and four on the ground. On the game's first play, he scrambled for a 75-yard score completely untouched, and that was a portent of what was to come later. His mobility, speed and excellent feel as a ball-carrier were all on display as Auburn dismantled FCS Mercer. Knight has put himself squarely in the conversation to be Auburn's starting quarterback next season with one performance.
QB Drake Lindsey, Minnesota vs. Northwestern
Minnesota lost a narrow game to Northwestern, but Lindsey did all he could for the Gophers. The redshirt freshman signal-caller tossed for 264 yards and four touchdowns, a career high. He was also largely efficient as a passer, completing 20-of-30 throws (66.7 percent). Lindsey has enjoyed a solid if not overly productive first season as the Gophers' starter, but he's beginning to display some pretty tantalizing qualities that should get Minnesota fans fired up about the future. His second touchdown pass against the Wildcats was an insanely accurate 24-yard laser over the middle, where he threaded the needle perfectly. The gunslinger still has plenty of developing to do, but the 2025 season has been mostly a success for the young quarterback.
QB Drew Mestemaker, North Texas vs. Rice
Mestemaker has been known to stuff the stat sheet on occasion this season (see: 608 passing yards against Charlotte in Week 9). Against the Owls, he was back at it, tossing for a whopping 469 yards and three scores with a rushing touchdown to boot. He operates the Mean Green offense with ease and looks mature beyond his years in the process. The signal-caller has been a revelation in Denton this fall, and with one regular-season game remaining, he has 3,459 yards, 26 touchdowns, and four interceptions with another five scores on the ground. He appears destined for Power Four football sooner rather than later.
College Football Week 13 Freshman Running Back Standouts
RB Ja'Kyrian Turner, Pitt vs. Georgia Tech
In a somewhat shocking turn of events, the Panthers have arguably two of the best true freshmen in the nation. Quarterback Mason Heintschel has been a staple of this article, and now, he's joined by fellow class of 2025 signee Ja'Kyrian Turner out of Wildwood, Florida. Turner went off in the Panthers' big win over Georgia Tech, collecting 201 rushing yards and a score on 21 carries. Though he's still very slight at 5-foot-9, 180 pounds, he runs with authority, and if you let him turn the corner, watch out. He sheds arm tackles in the open field with ease, and the future of Pitt's offense looks extremely bright with Heintschel and Turner.
RB Girard Pringle, Miami (FL) vs. Virginia Tech
With Hurricanes' starting halfback Mark Fletcher still limited due to injury, the true freshman Pringle got to dominate the touches for Miami, and though he ran for just 49 yards on 14 carries, he also reeled in two grabs for 21 yards and a touchdown. He's proven to be more than capable as a lead back early in his career, and he's making a case to be a featured back in Coral Gables next season. At 5.8 yards per carry, he's been the Hurricanes' most explosive back, a quality that's likely been big in helping him earn snaps.
RB Jaquari Lewis, App State vs. Marshall
Lewis' participation in App State's backfield has fluctuated this season, but the true freshman got all the work he could handle after starter Rashad Dubinion went down with an injury. That led to a career high 33 carries for Lewis, which he parlayed into 175 rushing yards and two touchdowns, also catching five passes for 39 yards in the process to surpass 200 all-purpose yards in a narrow win over Marshall. Lewis has a no-nonsense, downhill running style, and the Mountaineers clearly have no problem getting him all the work he can handle. He caught passes, he took handoffs, and even direct snaps as he got the ball on 38 of App State's offensive plays.
College Football Week 13 Freshman Wide Receiver Standouts
WR Tanook Hines, USC vs. Oregon
USC lost to Oregon in a rough defeat for the Trojans that dashed their playoff hopes, but they had a massive bright spot in true freshman wideout Tanook Hines. Hines caught all six of his targets for 141 yards and one touchdown. Though he stands just six feet tall, Hines is a handful at the catch point. On a 51-yard completion, he out-muscled a Ducks' cornerback and stayed on his feet for an extra 20 or so yards. On his touchdown, he leaped into the air, seemingly levitating before bringing down the football in the front corner of the end zone for an improbable score on a trick play. Hines' previous season high was 67 yards against Notre Dame, but he's now fully arrived for the Trojans with one game remaining in the regular season.
WR Jayden Sellers, South Carolina vs. Coastal Carolina
Yes, Sellers is the brother of Gamecocks' quarterback LaNorris Sellers, and yes, the true freshman just put together a career game against the Chanticleers. The receiver was a bit of a late bloomer in this offense, but ever since Week 8 against Oklahoma, he's been a crucial part of this passing game. Against Coastal Carolina, he was a big-play machine, catching all four of his targets for 127 yards and a touchdown. It didn't take long for Sellers to announce his arrival, as on the first play from scrimmage, he took a screen pass 75 yards to the house. If his older brother stays in Columbia, these two could be a dangerous duo in 2026.
WR Dezmen Roebuck, Washington vs. UCLA
Washington steamrolled UCLA 48-14, and true freshman wideout Dezmen Roebuck was the Huskies' leading receiver. He got an extended opportunity with star receiver Denzel Boston, limited to just three snaps, but Roebuck is already a staple of this offense regardless. He has at least three catches in eight straight games, and against the Bruins, he reeled in seven grabs for 96 yards and a score. Roebuck, outside of Oregon's Dakorien Moore, has been the most impressive true freshman receiver in the Big Ten, and the two will do battle in Week 14 in Seattle.
