DALLAS (FWAA) – This is the the Week 5 installment of the Football Writers Association of America's weekly Freshman Focus for the Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach of the Year Award, Freshman Player of the Year and the 2024 FWAA Freshman All-America Team.
The Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach Award, presented by Chris Doering Mortgage, goes to the best first-year coach (at his school) in FBS football at the conclusion of the season.
The recipient of the Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach, the FWAA Freshman of the Year and the Steve Spurrier Legends Coach will be honored at a special reception on Feb. 24, 2025 in Gainesville, Fla.
FIRST-YEAR PLAYERS: THE FRESH FOUR
Arch Manning, QB, Texas (6-4, 225, New Orleans, La.): 26/31, 324 yards, 2 TD; 6 rushes, 33 yards, 1 TD
Manning’s first SEC start wasn’t a fireworks show like his debut against UTSA, but he led Texas to a comfortable 35-13 win over Mississippi State while starting quarterback Quinn Ewers recovered from injury. The redshirt freshman broke 300 yards for the first time in his career and flashed competitive speed against SEC competition. Manning’s most impressive throw came on a 49-yard strike to DeAndre Moore just before halftime, setting the tone for a 21-point second half. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian expects Ewers to return for the Longhorns’ next game against Oklahoma on October 12.
Darian Mensah, QB, Tulane (6-3, 200, San Luis Obispo, Calif.): 18/22, 326 yards, 3 TD; 2 rushes, 17 yards
Mensah’s best statistical performance led the Green Wave to a dominant 42-10 win over South Florida. The redshirt freshman made quick work of the Bull defense, scoring 31 unanswered points to open the game. Mensah’s 1,122 yards passing through five games are the fourth-most in the AAC. Tulane will fight for its third-straight win when it travels to UAB on Saturday.
Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State (6-3, 215, Miami Gardens, Fla.): 5 receptions, 83 yards, 1 TD; 1 rush, 19 yards, 1 TD
Smith’s expansive skill set was on display in Ohio State’s 38-7 win over Michigan State. The true freshman blazed past the Spartan defense on an end around for his first touchdown but really impressed with his second. Smith went viral on Saturday with an eye-popping, one-handed touchdown catch between two Michigan State defenders. Ohio State’s passing game will face its toughest challenge yet this Saturday when Iowa comes to The Shoe.
Ryan Williams, WR, Alabama (6-0, 175, Mobile, Ala.): 6 receptions, 177 yards, 1 TD
Williams capped a dominant performance with the biggest play in Saturday’s biggest game, a 41-34 win over Georgia. The true freshman beat his initial defender on a go route and blazed past the rest of the Bulldog secondary for Alabama’s go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Williams’ 462 yards receiving through four games leads all FBS freshmen and is good for 16th-most in the country. The top-ranked Crimson Tide should have another explosive outing at Vanderbilt this Saturday.
STEVE SPURRIER FIRST-YEAR COACHES
Brent Brennan, Arizona: Brennan earned his first Big 12 win in impressive upset fashion, knocking off No. 10-ranked Utah 23-10 on Saturday. The Wildcat defense was particularly impressive in the win as it stuffed the Utes four times on fourth down and pulled down two interceptions. Sophomore quarterback Noah Fifita led the Arizona attack, tossing for 197 yards, two touchdowns and an interception on 19 completions. Brennan’s defense will face a tough task again next weekend when Texas Tech visits.
Bob Chesney, James Madison: Chesney’s offense exploded yet again, this time to the tune of a 63-7 beatdown of Ball State. Quarterback Alonza Barnett III spearheaded an offense that outgained the Cardinals 515-250 and went 9 of 10 in third down conversions. The Dukes’ offense leads the Sun Belt in points per game (44) after scoring 133 over its last two weeks. Jame Madison aims to roll to 5-0 with a win at Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday.
Kalen DeBoer, Alabama: DeBoer and the Crimson Tide sent a message to the SEC and all of college football with a 41-34 win over Georgia on Saturday. Alabama flexed its muscles early, jumping out to a dominant 30-7 halftime lead behind quarterback Jalen Milroe, who finished with four total touchdowns and 491 total yards. DeBoer’s defense also forced four turnovers, including a game-sealing interception from freshman cornerback Zabien Brown. Alabama earned the top ranking in the AP poll and aims to stay there with a dominant win at Vanderbilt on Saturday.
Manny Diaz, Duke: Diaz’s Blue Devils stayed undefeated with a gutsy 21-20 win over bitter rival North Carolina. Duke trailed 20-0 until the 5:49 mark of the third quarter, when it scored the first of three unanswered touchdowns to shock the Tar Heels. Quarterback Maalik Murphy and running back Star Thomas led the Blue Devils offensively as they snapped a five-game losing streak to North Carolina. Diaz aims to lead Duke to its first 6-0 start since 1994 at Georgia Tech next Saturday.
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.