NCAA Football Freshman of the Year Awards: A Historical Overview

The landscape of college football changed significantly in 1972 when the NCAA ruled that freshmen would be eligible for varsity play in football and basketball. This decision, primarily driven by financial considerations, added a new dimension to the sport, allowing true freshmen to showcase their talent immediately. This article explores the history and impact of freshmen in college football, highlighting notable players and awards that recognize their outstanding contributions.

The Dawn of the Freshman Era

Prior to 1972, freshmen were restricted to freshman teams, limiting their exposure and impact on the varsity level. The NCAA's decision to allow freshmen eligibility was met with mixed reactions. Some coaches were hesitant to rely on inexperienced players, while others recognized the potential for immediate impact. As The New York Times reported in January 1972, a poll of major college football coaches indicated a 2-to-1 opposition to using freshmen on varsity teams. However, faculty athletic advisors, focused on cost savings by eliminating freshman teams, ultimately passed the ruling.

This rule change paved the way for legendary freshmen performances. Quinn Buckner at Indiana, Tony Dorsett at Pitt, and Herschel Walker at Georgia all benefited from this opportunity, leaving an indelible mark on college football history. Without this change, their legacies would have been significantly different.

Individual Freshman of the Year Awards

Several awards have emerged to recognize the achievements of outstanding freshmen in college football. These awards highlight the impact these young players have on their teams and the sport as a whole.

Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award

The Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award is presented annually to the most outstanding freshman player in college football. Named in honor of Shaun Alexander, a former University of Alabama standout and NFL player, the award has been given since 2018. Shaun Alexander didn’t start off the year as the team’s starting running back during the 1996 college football season; he was actually the 3rd option. That all changed on the ESPN prime time night game on November 9th, 1996 when #10 Alabama played #11 LSU. Shaun ended the night with 4 touchdowns and 291 rushing yards. Shaun ended his career at Alabama with 3,565 yards rushing (41 touchdowns), 798 receiving yards (8 TD receptions), and one kickoff return for a touchdown.

Previous winners include:

2018: Trevor Lawrence (Clemson)
2019: Kenneth Gainwell (Memphis)
2024: Colin Simmons (Texas)

In 2024, University of Texas Edge Colin Simmons was selected as the recipient of the 7th annual Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award. Simmons made a significant impact on the Longhorns’ defensive line with 12.5 tackles for loss, ranking second on the team, and leading Texas with eight sacks, ranking 10th in the conference. He added 38 tackles with eight quarterback hurries and three forced fumbles, ranking 10th in the SEC. Simmons led FBS freshmen in total sacks and sacks per game at 0.62, recording the third-most sacks by a freshman in team history.

Jerry Rice Award

The Jerry Rice Award is given each year to the most outstanding freshman player in FCS football. A national panel of more than 40 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers, and other dignitaries vote on the award's winner, based on players' regular-season performances. The award is named after Jerry Rice, an NFL legend with the San Francisco 49ers, who earned 13 NFL Pro Bowl trips, 10 first-team All-Pros, three Super Bowls, and a Super Bowl MVP. Rice, an All-American wide receiver, measured in at 6’2’’ and 200 pounds. He earned All-American accolades twice, setting records for receptions, yards, and touchdowns. The Jerry Rice Award winner is revealed annually after the conclusion of the FCS regular season. All five STATS FCS national honors are celebrated at the STATS FCS Awards Banquet and Presentation. The first Jerry Rice Award watch list is released during the season by STATS FCS.

Recent winners of the Jerry Rice Award include:

2024: CharMar Brown (North Dakota State) - Rushed for 965 yards and 14 touchdowns on 189 carries.
2023: Eli Gillman (Montana) - Rushed for 857 yards and 10 touchdowns on 152 carries.
2022: Gevani McCoy (Idaho) - Completed 203-297 passes for 2,791 yards, 27 touchdowns, and only seven interceptions.

Since the award debuted in 2011, quarterbacks have accounted for a position-best six winners, with running backs having five winners. One wide receiver and one linebacker have also been honored. Other notable past honorees include eventual NFL stars Cooper Kupp (Eastern Washington, 2013), Chase Edmonds (Fordham, 2014) and Trey Lance (2019).

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Impactful Freshmen: A Position-by-Position Look

Freshmen have made significant contributions across all positions in college football. Here's a look at some of the top true freshmen at each offensive unit:

Quarterbacks:

Trevor Lawrence, Clemson (2018)
Jalen Hurts, Alabama (2016)
Philip Rivers, NC State (2000)
Jamelle Holieway, Oklahoma (1985)
Sam Howell, North Carolina (2019)
Robert Griffin III, Baylor (2008)
Chad Henne, Michigan (2004)
Chris Leak, Florida (2003)
Tommy Hodson, LSU (1986)
Josh Rosen, UCLA (2015)

Running Backs:

Herschel Walker, Georgia (1980)
Ron Dayne, Wisconsin (1996)
Tony Dorsett, Pitt (1973)
Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma (2004)
Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin (2017)
Marshall Faulk, SDSU (1991)
Samaje Perine, Oklahoma (2014)
Maurice Clarett, Ohio State (2002)
Quinshon Judkins, Ole Miss (2022)
Jamal Lewis, Tennessee (1997)

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends:

Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State (2024)
Mike Williams, USC (2002)
Rondale Moore, Purdue (2018)
David Bell, Purdue (2019)
KD Cannon, Baylor (2014)
Marqise Lee, USC (2011)
Ronney Daniels, Auburn (1999)
Larry Fitzgerald, Pitt (2002)
Sammy Watkins, Clemson (2011)
Kevin Concepcion, NC State (2023)

Offensive Line:

Orlando Pace, Ohio State (1994)
Bill Fralic, Pitt (1981)
Cam Robinson, Alabama (2014)
Jonah Williams, Alabama (2016)
Brad Budde, USC (1976)
Reggie Green, Florida (1992)
Andre Smith, Alabama (2006)
Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas (2022)
Winston Justice, USC (2002)
Korey Stringer, Ohio State (1992)

Top 60 True Freshmen Seasons in Major College Football

To further illustrate the impact of freshmen, here's a look at some of the best seasons by true freshmen in major college football, ranked from 60 to 40:

60. Marqise Lee, USC Trojans (2011): Lee quickly became one of the nation's best receiver tandems with Robert Woods, excelling in November with 39 catches for 609 yards and six scores.
59. OL Andre Smith, Alabama Crimson Tide (2006): Smith immediately lived up to the hype as a highly touted offensive line prospect, earning a starting job right out of fall camp and becoming an obvious pick for the SEC's All-Freshman team.
58. WR KD Cannon, Baylor Bears (2014): Cannon thrived in the Bear Raid offense, catching 14 passes for 471 yards and five TDs in his first three games.

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57. DT Roosevelt Nix, Kent State Golden Flashes (2010): Nix became an immediate star, recording 20 tackles for loss and 10 sacks and earning MAC defensive player of the year honors.
56. LB/RB Myles Jack, UCLA Bruins (2013): Jack excelled on both sides of the ball, finishing fifth on the Bruins in tackles and second in rushing touchdowns.
55. OL Reggie Green, Florida Gators (1992): Green was hailed as the "best freshman tackle I have ever seen in college football" by former NFL head coach Dick Vermeil.
54. WR David Bell, Purdue Boilermakers (2019): Filling in for an injured Rondale Moore, Bell gained at least 100 yards in six of his last nine games and finished with 86 catches, 1,035 yards and 7 touchdowns.
53. DE George Karlaftis, Purdue Boilermakers (2019): Karlaftis erupted for 17 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and an interception, showcasing his elite motor and pursuit abilities.
52. S LaRon Landry, LSU Tigers (2003): Landry led a dominant defense, recording 76 tackles and two picks in the regular season and keying a dominant performance against Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl.
51. RB Todd Gurley, Georgia Bulldogs (2012): Gurley's impact was immediate, as he needed only eight carries to gain 100 yards in his first collegiate game and helped Georgia's scoring average jump by five points per game.
50. OL Brad Budde, USC Trojans (1976): Budde barged his way into the lineup and stayed there until 1979, when he was named a unanimous All-American and won the Lombardi Award.
49. RB Jamal Lewis, Tennessee Volunteers (1997): Lewis made a memorable impression by rushing for 232 yards against Georgia, finishing his debut season with 1,364 rushing yards and 9 combined touchdowns.
48. OL Jonah Williams, Alabama Crimson Tide (2016): Williams combined innate quickness and power to put together an all-timer of a freshman year, eventually becoming an All-American and top draft pick.
47. QB Chad Henne, Michigan Wolverines (2004): Henne threw for 2,743 yards and 25 touchdowns, leading the Wolverines to a 9-3 season.
46. S Caleb Downs, Alabama Crimson Tide (2023): Downs was the Tide's leading tackler with 107, and he pitched in two interceptions, four pass breakups, 3.5 tackles for loss and a punt return score for good measure.
45. RB Quinshon Judkins, Ole Miss Rebels (2022): Judkins immediately seized the job of workhorse back, rushing for 1,565 yards and 16 scores.
44. DT William Perry, Clemson Tigers (1981): Perry helped transform Clemson's defense, contributing to their national title-winning season.
43. QB Robert Griffin III, Baylor Bears (2008): Griffin threw for 2,091 yards and rushed for another 843, serving notice for what was to come.
42. RB Maurice Clarett, Ohio State Buckeyes (2002): Clarett rushed for 175 yards in his first game and scored the national title-winning touchdown in overtime.
41. LB Randall Godfrey, Georgia Bulldogs (1992): Godfrey became the first true freshman to lead Georgia in tackles, racking up 114 tackles in all.
40. DE Ross Browner, Notre Dame Fighting Irish (1973): Browner immediately gave Notre Dame a level of pass rush it had lacked previously, helping the team surge to an 11-0 season.
39. LB Ahmad Brooks, Virginia Cavaliers (2003): Maybe the most highly touted recruit Virginia has ever signed, Brooks was an instant difference-maker, leading the team with 117 tackles, 10 TFLs and 4 sacks
38. CB Charles Woodson, Michigan Wolverines (1995): Woodson came to Michigan to play defense and became a first-stringer almost instantly. He picked off five passes in his first season, including two in a 31-23 rivalry win over Ohio State.
37. DE Derek Barnett, Tennessee Volunteers (2014): Barnett had three games with at least three TFLs and two with at least three sacks. He keyed a defense that improved enough to lead the Volunteers to their first bowl in four seasons.
36. S Dillon Thieneman, Purdue Boilermakers (2023): Thieneman, a mid-three-star signee who immediately staked out a place in the lineup and finished his freshman season with 106 tackles, six interceptions, two breakups and two forced fumbles.
35. QB Sam Howell, North Carolina Tar Heels (2019): Howell threw for a combined 519 yards, four touchdowns and no picks as UNC scored tight wins over South Carolina and Miami to start his career, then finished the regular season with 401 yards and three scores against rival NC State. His final tally: an unfreshmanlike …

Other Notable Awards

In addition to the Shaun Alexander and Jerry Rice Awards, the Associated Press (AP) College Football Player of the Year award has been awarded annually since 1998 to the most outstanding collegiate football player in the country. The winner is chosen by a vote of Associated Press (AP) sportswriters and editors. Since 2004, the award winner has gone on to win the Heisman Trophy during the same voting cycle in every year except 2009 (Ndamukong Suh) and 2015 (Christian McCaffrey).

AP College Football Player of the Year Winners:

2024: Travis Hunter (Colorado)
2023: Jayden Daniels (LSU)
2022: Caleb Williams (USC)
2021: Bryce Young (Alabama)
2020: DeVonta Smith (Alabama)
2019: Joe Burrow (LSU)
2018: Kyler Murray (Oklahoma)
2017: Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma)
2016: Lamar Jackson (Louisville)
2015: Christian McCaffrey (Stanford)
2014: Marcus Mariota (Oregon)
2013: Jameis Winston (Florida State)
2012: Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M)
2011: Robert Griffin III (Baylor)
2010: Cam Newton (Auburn)
2009: Ndamukong Suh (Nebraska)
2008: Sam Bradford (Oklahoma)
2007: Tim Tebow (Florida)
2006: Troy Smith (Ohio State)
2005: Reggie Bush (USC)
2004: Matt Leinart (USC)
2003: Jason White (Oklahoma)
2002: Brad Banks (Iowa)
2001: Rex Grossman (Florida)
2000: Josh Heupel (Oklahoma)
1999: Ron Dayne (Wisconsin)
1998: Ricky Williams (Texas)

There are also a number of other awards that recognize outstanding players in college football:

Maxwell Award: Outstanding Player
Walter Camp Award: Player of the Year
The Home Depot Award: Coach of the Year
Doak Walker Award: National Running Back Award
Davey O'Brien Award: National Quarterback Award
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award: Outstanding Senior Quarterback

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