Gainesville, Fla. – The Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) has
named the freshman offensive and defensive players of the year presented by Chris Doering
Mortgage to the midseason watchlist. Through Week 8, these players are clear standouts and
we look forward to tracking their performance for the remainder of the season, leading up to
the announcement of the winners for the FWAA Freshman Offensive and Defensive Players of
the Year.
The players named on the watchlist are as follows:
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR CANDIDATES
Isaac Brown, RB, Louisville (5-9, 190, Homestead, Fla.) Brown has certainly made his name
known in the ACC after rushing for over 100 yards three times already this season. The true
freshman has turned 68 carries into four touchdowns and 564 rushing yards, which leads all FBS
freshmen. Brown’s speed also makes him proficient in Louisville’s passing attack, as his 20
receptions are good for the second-most on the team. He has the chance to show out before a
primetime audience this week when the Cardinals visit Boston College on Friday night.
Caden Durham, RB, LSU (5-9, 205, Oklahoma City, Okla.) LSU entered 2024 with a committee
of potential starting running backs, but Durham has emerged as the top guy, leading the team
with 62 rushes for 382 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. Durham is also coming off the
best statistical week of his young career, where he rushed for 101 yards and three touchdowns
to power the Tigers past Arkansas. LSU uses the stocky true freshman in all down-and-distance
situations due to his combination of breakaway speed and hard-nosed power. Durham will be
tested this week against a tough Texas A&M front in a battle for the top spot in the SEC.
Eli Holstein, QB, Pittsburgh (6-4, 225, Zachary, La.) Holstein has arguably been the most
consistent freshman through his six starts, leading Pittsburgh to a 6-0 record. Holstein leads all
FBS freshmen in passing yards (1,697) and passing touchdowns (15) with five interceptions,
adding another 266 yards and three more scores on the ground. The redshirt freshman threw
for three touchdowns in each of his first five games, including wins over West Virginia and
North Carolina. Holstein can impress a primetime audience this week when the Panthers host
Syracuse on a nationally-televised Thursday night matchup.
Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State (6-3, 215, Miami Gardens, Fla.) Smith’s dominant start at Ohio
State has been as eye-popping as it has been consistent. Smith’s imposing frame combined with
dangerous speed has led to several viral catches, but the Buckeyes’ leading receiver has also
totaled at least 70 yards and a touchdown in every game. The true freshman has caught 32
passes for 553 yards and seven touchdowns, which co-leads all FBS freshmen. Smith will try to
keep his touchdown streak alive against Nebraska this Saturday.
Ryan Williams, WR, Alabama (6-0, 175, Mobile, Ala.) Williams’ blazing speed and agility appear
to make him as hard to tackle as he is to cover, helping him lead all FBS freshmen in receiving
yards (649). Williams has been more than a deep ball weapon this season, as he has more
receiving yards than Alabama’s next three leading receivers combined. The true freshman’s
best statistical performance came in a Week 4 win over Georgia, where he caught six passes for
177 yards and a touchdown. Williams will try
to explode for a struggling Crimson Tide offense this Saturday when No. 21-ranked Missouri
comes to Tuscaloosa.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR CANDIDATES
KJ Bolden, S, Georgia (6-0, 185, Buford, Ga.) Bolden did not have a clear path to the field at
Georgia with several veteran safeties ahead of him, but he has forced his way into key situations
regardless. Bolden’s 24 tackles have largely come defending the run and short passes, but he
has shown proficiency in coverage, logging his first interception two weeks ago against
Mississippi State. The true freshman saw the most defensive snaps of his career last week at
Texas, and should see more against Florida on November 2. The Bulldogs have multiple
defensive backs missing the first half after committing targeting penalties, giving Bolden an
opportunity to impress against the Gators.
Koi Perich, S, Minnesota (6-1, 200, Esko, Minn.) Perich has worked his way into a starting role
for the Golden Gophers after a pair of breakout performances in early October. Perich snagged
back-to-back game-sealing interceptions to help Minnesota beat USC and UCLA in back-to-back
weeks. The true freshman’s four interceptions on the season lead all FBS freshmen and are tied
for the third-most in the entire country. Perich aims to keep his interception streak alive when
Minnesota hosts Maryland on Saturday.
Dylan Stewart, EDGE, South Carolina (6-6, 248, Washington, D.C.) South Carolina’s highest-
ranked recruiting prospect has not disappointed in terrorizing SEC backfields through six games.
Stewart leads all FBS freshmen with 4.5 sacks and has also forced two fumbles, beating
offensive tackles off the edge. The true freshman has logged a sack in four of his six games,
including a 35-9 beatdown of Oklahoma last week. Stewart and the South Carolina defense have
the week off to prepare for a rolling Texas A&M offense coming to Columbia on November 2.
Colin Simmons, EDGE, Texas (6-3, 245, Dallas, Tx.) The nation’s top-ranked pass rusher in the
2024 recruiting class has transitioned nicely into the SEC fold with 23 total tackles, four sacks
and a forced fumble. The freshman has become a staple on a talent-loaded Longhorn defense,
as Collins has the second-most sacks on the team. The true freshman’s best statistical
performance came against Mississippi State, where he totaled seven tackles with two sacks and
a forced fumble. Simmons and the Longhorns can earn their third ranked win of the season
when they travel to Nashville to face No. 25 Vanderbilt.
Josiah Trotter, LB, West Virginia (6-2, 238, Philadelphia, Pa.) Trotter’s consistency has made him
arguably the best freshman linebacker in the country. The redshirt freshman leads all FBS
freshmen with 54 total tackles and has led West Virginia’s defense in tackles in five of its seven
games this season. The Mountaineers have also taken advantage of Trotter’s versatility,
sometimes lining him up along the defensive line and out in the slot as needed. Trotter will look
to lead the Mountaineers in tackles for a fifth consecutive week when they travel to Arizona this
Saturday.
The FWAA Freshman Players of the Year
Presented by Chris Doering Mortgage, these awards honor the top performing offensive and
defensive players at the conclusion of the season. The recipients, along with the FWAA Steve
Spurrier First-Year and Legends Coach Awards will be celebrated at a special reception on
February 24, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla. at Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille.
Past Freshman Player of the Year winners include:
2023: Noah Fifita, QB Arizona (Offensive); Dillon Thieneman DB, Purdue (Defensive)
2022: Drake Maye, QB North Carolina
2021: Brock Bowers, TE Georgia **INAUGURAL
For more information on attending or sponsoring the 4th Annual reception at Spurrier’s Gridiron
Grille for the Steve Spurrier First-Year and Legend Coach plus Freshman Players of the Year
awards on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, please contact Tricia Garzon of the JAG Agency at 352-214-
2331.
Chris Doering Mortgage, based in Gainesville, FL, was established in April 2007 as a residential
lending company providing mortgage products including conventional, FHA, USDA, and VA
loans. The branch is a division of MortgageAdvisors.com – 3940 NW 16th Blvd., Suite A,
Gainesville, FL 32605 – NMLS 70168/1937321. FHA Lender ID 2631500094. For more
information, visit ChrisDoeringMortgage.com. ESPN/SEC Network College football analyst Chris
Doering, a former wide receiver for Coach Spurrier both in college and the NFL, serves as the
branch manager.
Founded in 1941,the Football Writers Association of America consists of journalists,
broadcasters, publicists, photographers, and key executives in all areas of college football. The
FWAA works to govern media access and gameday operations while presenting awards and
honors, including an annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its
programs and initiatives, contact Executive Director Steve Richardson at (214) 870-6516 or
tiger@fwaa.com.
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