Devy Fantasy Football: Week 3 Freshman Standouts

Devy Fantasy Football: Top Week 3 Freshman Performances 

Any big-time performance by a true freshman in college football is always exciting. Aside from the fact that you're watching a teenager not far removed from prom excel in a sport where 5th and 6th-year college seniors are the norm, there's the tantalizing promise of what said freshman can develop into and bring to his program years down the line. 

It's always worth keeping an eye on big freshman performances for college and devy fantasy football leagues alike. Check out our fantasy football devy rankings page for more on players to target in these league formats. With that, let's get into some of the top performances of Week 3 by freshmen across the country.

College Football Week 3 Freshman Quarterback Standout Performances

QB Bryce Underwood, Michigan vs. Central Michigan

We've been waiting for Underwood, easily the most hyped-up true freshman signal-caller of 2025, to truly announce his arrival to the college football world. That happened Saturday against the Chippewas, as Underwood tossed for 235 yards and one touchdown while rushing for 114 yards and picking up two scores on the ground en route to 39.2 fantasy points. There have been questions about why Michigan wasn't using Underwood's mobility, and the Wolverines firmly put those questions to bed. Underwood played aggressively, and while that led to his first career interception and several other turnover-worthy plays, the quarterback is at his best when he can lean on his most potent natural talents — his enormous arm and his dynamic legs. Michigan used lot of play action to get him on the move as well; the Wolverines finally seem to be grasping how to use their uber-talented gunslinger. 

QB Drew Mestemaker, North Texas vs. Washington State

The North Texas Mean Green have quietly gotten off to a 3-0 start, and quarterback Drew Mestemaker leads them. Although he's a redshirt freshman, he didn't suit up at all in 2024 so this fall is the first we've seen of the Austin, Texas native. He's off to a scintillating start in 2025, and Saturday's win over Washington State was no different. Mestemaker threw for four touchdowns and completed 82.8 percent of his passes, amassing 26.1 fantasy points. He's playing with confidence, command and poise, and this North Texas offense is humming with him at the helm. 

QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, California vs. Minnesota 

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We already highlighted Sagapolutele in this section after his breakout performance in Week 1, in which he tossed for three touchdowns against Oregon State. He came back down to earth slightly in Week 2, but recaptured the magic from his debut against the Gophers and, notably, a Big Ten defense. The true freshman tossed for three touchdowns and a new career-high 279 yards while completing 63.2 percent of his passes. He made off-platform throws and displayed a great feel for pressure and escaping the pocket. California got a steal with Sagapolutele, and while Minnesota is far from a top-tier Big Ten program, the Gophers have a respectable defense, making this performance all the more impressive. 

College Football Week 3 Freshman Running Back Standout Performances

RB Demon June, North Carolina vs. Richmond

Three weeks into the 2025 campaign, June looks like the best tailback in Chapel Hill, even as a true freshman. He wasn't involved at all in the Week 1 debacle vs. TCU, and he got his first career touches against Charlotte, tallying nine carries for 52 yards. Against a much weaker opponent in FCS Richmond, however, he exploded for 148 yards and a score on 14 carries, also reeling in a 19-yard reception for 22.7 fantasy points. No other Tar Heel running back came close to matching his carry number; this backfield looks like his for the time being. North Carolina also got the ball to him on handoffs and jet motions alike, meaning it's looking for ways to get the ball in the hands of its talented young ball-carrier. 

Marquise Davis, Missouri vs. UL-Lafayette

Tigers' tailback Ahmad Hardy will get lots of the praise in this one, and rightfully so: he ran for a whopping 250 yards and three touchdowns. Still, the true freshman Marquise Davis got plenty of work as well with 20 carries, and he parlayed that into 113 yards and a score (17.3 fantasy points). He's got 25 carries through two games (he didn't play against Kansas) and could quickly be emerging as Missouri's top option behind Hardy early in his career. 

RB Nate Sheppard, Duke vs. Tulane

The true freshman Sheppard has gotten five carries in each of his first three games this season. However, he didn't do anything eye-popping with them until Week 3, when he ran for 75 yards, also catching four passes for 21 yards and a score. Despite Duke's lousy 1-2 start, Sheppard has clearly made a strong impression as a freshman, considering he's getting consistent carries each week. And now that he's proven he can make an impact in the passing game, Sheppard's involvement within this offense should only increase. What's more, with Duke's top tailback, Jaquez Moore, not putting together any awe-inspiring performances through three games, more touches could be right around the corner for Sheppard. 

College Football Week 3 Freshman Wide Receiver Standout Performances

WR Joshua Moore, Miami (FL) vs. USF

The Hurricanes have some of the best young talent at wide receiver in the nation. Malachi Toney has already made his presence felt, cracking Miami's starting offense from day one. Still, don't sleep on Moore, a 6-foot-4 local wideout from the Miami area. He reeled in the Hurricanes' first two touchdowns of the day against South Florida. His first score was a catch-and-run in the red zone, and on his second, he simply used his long, tall frame to "Moss" a defensive back at the catch point in the end zone. When a true freshman is already a physically dominant player, that's someone who deserves your undivided attention. 

WR Ed Small, TCU vs. Abilene Christian

The Horned Frogs soundly beat FCS Abilene Christian 42-21, but I don't think Small's production in this game was due to the relatively uncompetitive nature of the contest. Small caught TCU's second touchdown of the day and scored right before halftime as well, totaling six grabs for 45 yards and two touchdowns when all was said and done (16.5 fantasy points). One of his touchdowns was an absolutely gorgeous one-handed snag in the end zone, helping him win Big 12 Freshman of the Week honors. Small wasn't involved at all in the Horned Frogs' romp over UNC in Week 1, but a showing like this figures to garner him more playing time moving forward. 

College Football Week 3 Freshman Tight End Standout Performances

TE Hunter Andrews, Utah vs. Wyoming

Andrews is a redshirt freshman, but what he's currently doing for Utah's offense should certainly be monitored. Against Wyoming, he had his biggest game of the season yet, tallying five catches for 44 yards and six carries for 62 yards and a score. Yes, you read that right — the tight end had more carries than receptions, and his rushing touchdown came on a play where he lined up as the quarterback in a wildcat look. The Utes have been getting him involved on the ground; he has 12 carries for 108 yards and a score this year. Andrews has been getting plenty of touches in this offense, and he's talented enough that Utah wants to both throw it to him and get him going on the ground. Andrews looks like something of a position-less anomaly that could give defensive coordinators in the Big 12 headaches for quite some time.