When Clemson dominated Alabama in January to win its second national championship in three years, true freshmen powered the Tigers’ offense. After starting the year behind upperclassmen on the depth chart, quarterback Trevor Lawrence and wide receiver Justyn Ross emerged a ferocious Tiger passing attack. Lawrence threw for 347 yards and three touchdowns against the Crimson Tide’s vaunted defense, while Ross built upon his breakout semifinal performance against Notre Dame with six catches for 153 yards and a score.
Admittedly, Lawrence and Ross are extreme examples of true freshmen making their mark on the college football season, and their first fall on campus wasn’t always smooth sailing.