True freshmen have been contributing earlier and earlier in college football, and while this season has been unique to say the least, some first-year players have already emerged as playmakers.
The SEC and Big Ten haven't started their seasons yet; their newcomers will join the mix soon as we track and rank the top freshmen for the season as it goes along.
Here are the names that stood out through the first few weeks.
1. DE Myles Murphy
Clemson Tigers
The Tigers' defensive line haul in 2020 was ridiculous: five ESPN 300 linemen, including two five-stars, one of them being Murphy, the No. 13-ranked recruit overall in the class.
Murphy has already shown a ton of his potential. Through two games, he has nine tackles and two sacks. He notched a team-high seven tackles in his debut against Wake Forest and became the first Clemson true freshman to tally two sacks in one game since Dexter Lawrence did it in the 2016 ACC championship game.
2. QB Jeff Sims
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Sims was originally committed to Florida State, but eventually flipped and signed with Georgia Tech. He was ranked No. 88 overall and was an important part of Geoff Collins' 2020 class.
Sims started the season opener and compiled 341 total yards of offense; he was named ACC Rookie of the Week afterward. Through two games, Sims has racked up 521 passing yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions. He also has 146 rushing yards and one touchdown on the ground.
3. RB Jahmyr Gibbs
Georgia Tech
Despite having Florida pursue him late in the recruiting process, Gibbs, the No. 178-ranked recruit overall in the class, stuck with Georgia Tech. He was unavailable for the first game of the season, but he came out of the gate quickly in his college debut, showing how he could become a big name this season.
Gibbs was named the ACC Rookie of the Week after the second game, when he had 93 yards on two kickoff returns, 66 rushing yards on 15 carries with one touchdown, and 60 receiving yards on four catches with one touchdown.
4. WR Jordan Addison
Pittsburgh Panthers
Addison was being touted early on as someone who could contribute right away for Pitt, and he has proven those prognostications correct.
He's already third on the team in receiving yards (92) and leads the team in receptions (14). He has one touchdown on the season and is averaging 6.57 yards per reception through two games.
5. RB Jaylan Knighton
Miami Hurricanes
Knighton has been splitting carries with Cam'Ron Harris and fellow true freshman Donald Chaney Jr. Knighton and Chaney have similar numbers up to this point, but Knighton has two touchdowns on his stat sheet whereas Chaney has none.
Knighton was the No. 85-ranked recruit overall in the 2020 class and now has 68 rushing yards and one touchdown on 13 carries for the Hurricanes, as well as 75 yards receiving and a touchdown.
6. LB Stefon Thompson
Syracuse Orange
Thompson has already made a big impact on the Orange defense in his first two games. He is third on the team in total tackles with 12 and also has a sack and a forced fumble.
The linebackers have been a bright spot for Syracuse despite its 0-2 record. Thompson is showing promise on defense, and fellow freshman linebacker Marlowe Wax has five tackles.
7. DT Bryan Bresee
Clemson
Bresee is the other half of Clemson's true freshman duo that has been making noise this season. Murphy and Bresee became the first Clemson true freshmen to record a sack in a season opener sine Lawrence and Tre Lamar in 2016.
Bresee had three tackles, a half-sack and a blocked field goal in his debut against Wake Forest. He was the No. 1-ranked defensive tackle and the No. 3-ranked prospect overall in the 2020 class. He's off to a good start, and it's expected that he will continue to get better every week.
8. RB Chris Tyree
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Tyree was hyped early on because of his versatility and the fact that he could be a playmaker for the Irish. At 5-foot-9, 179 pounds, he isn't the biggest back, but he can make plays and has the ability to do a little bit of everything.
So far, Tyree has 104 yards on five kick returns, as well as 85 yards rushing and a touchdown on only 14 attempts. He had eight carries in the second game of the season against USF and had runs of 15 and 31 yards. His numbers won't pop just yet, given he's splitting carries with Kyren Williams and C'Bo Flemister, but he should continue to build on his impressive start as he gets more carries.
9. TE Michael Mayer
Notre Dame
Mayer was another highly touted Notre Dame recruit, ranked No. 81 overall. He's listed at 6-4, 249 pounds and has been called "Baby Gronk" by the team. Many expected Mayer to contribute right away, and he is starting to flash his potential.
In his first two games, Mayer has four receptions for 43 yards, averaging 10.8 yards per catch. He's the third-leading receiver on the team, which only has 32 receptions overall. More opportunities will lead to an increase in his numbers as the season goes on.
10. DE Alfred Collins
Texas Longhorns
Collins, a 6-5, 305-pound defensive end, was the No. 52-ranked prospect in the 2020 class. The Texas staff gushed about his potential as a prized recruit. Not only that, but he is a legacy player, as his mother played basketball for the Longhorns.
Collins has one sack for Texas, and as his playing time increases and he gains more confidence through experience, he should see his stats progress as well. His teammates are already calling him a "Big Dog," and he should have the attention of his opponents going forward too.