Devy Fantasy Football: Week 4 Freshman Standouts

Devy Fantasy Football: Top Week 4 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 4 by freshmen across the country.

College Football Week 4 Freshman Quarterback Standout Performances

QB Malik Washington, Maryland vs. Wisconsin

We've included the true freshman sensation in this section before, but he deserves to be revisited after another stellar performance. Sure, Washington looked good through the Terps' first three games, but those were in the friendly confines of his home stadium as significant favorites against overmatched teams (Florida Atlantic, Northern Illinois, FCS Towson). A road game against Wisconsin was penciled in as a test for Washington, and he passed with flying colors. Though he completed a season-low 52.9 percent of his passes, he tossed for 265 yards and two touchdowns, carving up a Badgers' secondary that offered little resistance. He threw an impressive touchdown in the red zone for his first score, and his second was a 62-yard bomb that served as the knock-out punch. Washington is the real deal. 

QB Bear Bachmeier, BYU vs. East Carolina 

The true freshman Bachmeier continues to impress for BYU. Though it's still jarring to see a quarterback wearing number 47 out there, he's seemingly developing at a rapid pace for the Cougars. In Week 4 against ECU, he tossed for 246 yards on 9.8 yards per attempt and 72 percent completion, all of which were career highs. He threw his fourth touchdown of the season and ran for another. He's scored on the ground in each game thus far in 2025 and has eight touchdowns and no turnovers this fall. Bachmeier operated BYU's offense fluently, making high-level throws and looking good on the move as well against the Pirates. The Cougars found a good one in Bachmeier. 

QB Will Hammond, Texas Tech vs. Utah

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We may not see Hammond in an extended capacity again for some time — the redshirt freshman signal-caller played in the absence of Behren Morton, who was knocked out of the Red Raiders' win over Utah but isn't expected to miss any time moving forward. Still, Hammond impressed in his first real chance to show what he can do. The Austin, Texas native completed 13-of-16 passes for 169 yards two touchdowns while picking up 61 yards on the ground as well. He hung in the pocket and made some NFL-level throws, and the Red Raiders are clearly confident in his dual threat ability as they ran designed quarterback runs for him right into the teeth of the Utes' defense. He's got a tangible confidence and pairs that with ruthless efficiency, as he's completed 30-of-40 pass attempts thus far in 2025. Hammond has Power 4 starter writtern all over him next fall.

College Football Week 4 Freshman Running Back Standout Performances

RB Caleb Hawkins, North Texas vs. Army

The true freshman Hawkins had gotten involved on the ground prior to Week 4 against Army, but he had himself a coming-out party against the Black Knights, amassing 99 yards and four touchdowns on 13 carries as well as two receptions for 14 yards. He displayed great burst against Army, repeatedly gashing the Black Knights' front between the tackles. Makenzie McGill remains the top dog in the Mean Green backfield, but now with 26 carries on the year, Hawkins is right behind him and this performance in West Point should only open the door for him to receive more carries down the stretch. 

RB Samuel Harris, Wyoming vs. Colorado

Harris had already announced his presence as a contributor to the Cowboys' backfield in their two previous games, logging eight carries for over 60 yards in each contest. In Week 4 against Colorado, however, he stole the show and emerged as Wyoming's top tailback. Harris ran for 126 yards on 19 carries, easily pacing the Cowboys' backfield. That helped Harris earn his second consecutive Mountain West Freshman of the Week award, but more importantly, he appears to have usurped Sam Scott as Wyoming's lead tailback. This coaching staff clearly loves Harris and it'll be fascinating to see what he can do in a — presumably — lead back role moving forward. 

RB Rodney Fields, Oklahoma State vs. Tulsa

Oklahoma State suffered another embarrassing loss Friday night, further sinking the once proud program into irrelevancy and ringing head coach Mike Gundy's death knell. Still, the redshirt freshman Fields was excellent, rushing for 113 yards on 17 carries while reeling in six of his eight targets for 39 yards. Fields got the opportunity due to starter Kalib Hicks' absence, and he put together a better performance than Hicks has in any game to this point in the season. On 35 handoffs, Hicks averages just 3.4 yards per carry, while Fields' average checks in at 5.3. Finally healthy after an early-season injury, the 5-foot-9, 195-pound tailback displayed a great ability to shed tackles and keep his legs churning through contact. Even if Hicks returns soon, Fields has made a compelling case for him to continue being involved on the ground in Stillwater. 

College Football Week 4 Freshman Wide Receiver Standout Performances

WR Wondame Davis, UTEP vs. Louisiana-Monroe

Davis had seen just one target in the two prior games that he suited up for in 2025, but the redshirt freshman exploded in Week 4 against the WarHawks with six grabs for 119 yards and two scores. He certainly benefited from the absence of star receiver Kenny Odom, and he owes some of this opportunity to that injury. Still, Davis proved that he's no slouch himself at wideout, and demonstrated an eye-popping big play ability, reeling in touchdowns of 44 and 19 yards, the former of which came on an absolutely gorgeous double-move route that got the Miners back into the game into the fourth quarter. It remains to be seen if Davis can carve out a consistent role this fall, but he proved that he's got the goods against UL-Monroe. 

WR Brian Rowe, South Carolina vs. Missouri

The true freshman Rowe officially arrived for South Carolina on Saturday night, even as the Gamecocks fell to 2-2 at the hands of Missouri. He scored his first career touchdown on a 24-yard rainbow from quarterback LaNorris Sellers, and finished the day with three catches for 50 yards and the one score. He also took a handoff but didn't gain any yards. Even so, the South Carolina offensive staff clearly wants to get him the ball, and his involvement has improved steadily each week. Rowe could be slowly but surely making moves up the Gamecocks' depth chart. 

WR Kyan Mason, Akron vs. Duquesne 

Mason has been a steady part of this Zips offense, averaging just under five targets per game. Week 4, however, was his best outing, as he logged a career-high 58 yards and scored his first touchdown of 2025. The redshirt freshman's only contribution last season was a single catch that went for a 28-yard touchdown. Now, he's made himself a steady part of this passing game, and though he's slight in stature (5-foot-9, 155 pounds), he's extremely twitchy and elusive.