College Fantasy Football: Week 2 Freshman Standouts

Devy Fantasy Football: Top Week 2 Freshmen 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 2 by freshmen across the country.

 Week 2 Freshman Quarterback Standout Performances

QB Aaron Philo, Georgia Tech vs. Gardner-Webb

Philo is a redshirt freshman who saw action in four games last fall, but he never looked as good as he did Saturday against Gardner-Webb. Granted, it was against FCS competition, but Philo shredded the Runnin' Bulldogs' secondary with relative ease, tossing for 373 yards and completing 75 percent of his passes. His touchdown-to-interception ratio was just 1:1, and he also lost a fumble — the quarterback will need to work on ball security moving forward. Still, Philo proved himself serviceable in the absence of Haynes King, who appears set to return in Week 3. Nonetheless, Philo is a young gunslinger name to keep an eye on. He has the makings of a Power Four starter in the near future. Philo had numerous highlights in this one, including a strike to Isaiah Canion in the back corner of the end zone to Isiah Canion in the back corner of the end zone.

QB Brad Jackson, Texas State vs. UTSA

Texas State's offense has gotten off to an excellent start in 2025, posting 95 points through two games, and redshirt freshman signal-caller Brad Jackson is a big reason why. Jackson has been tremendous through two starts. In the opener, he did it with his arm, tossing four touchdowns. Against the Roadrunners, he was dynamic on the ground, picking up two touchdowns in that department en route to a 33.7-point performance, making him the highest-scoring freshman quarterback in Week 2. It's early yet, but it's looking like you want a piece of this Texas State offense, and Jackson is by far the biggest piece of the puzzle. 

Week 2 Freshman Running Back Standout Performances

RB Ashten Emory, UTEP vs. UT-Martin

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Emory remains behind Kam Thomas and Hahsaun Wilson on the Miners' running back pecking order, but the former is dealing with an injury that held him out of Week 2. That opened the door for Emory to receive 10 carries versus UT Martin, and while he only gained 36 yards, he scored a touchdown on the ground, as well as two touchdowns through the air on two catches. Emory found the end zone in Week 1 as well; the redshirt freshman tailback is up to four scores on the season, and Week 2 yielded him 23.6 fantasy points. It remains to be seen if he can maintain production on a limited volume, but Emory has been a pleasant surprise thus far. 

RB Chauncey Bowens, Georgia vs. Austin Peay

Georgia has a young backfield, one in which sophomore starter Nate Frazier dominates the carries and the headlines. Still, Bowens just put together the second-highest fantasy output by a freshman running back for Week 2. Even against an FCS foe in Austin Peay, the game was much closer than anticipated, and the Bulldogs' run/pass numbers were split pretty evenly. That all amounted to Bowens receiving 11 carries, the most of his career, which he parlayed into 56 yards and two scores, including an impressive scamper for a 14-yard score in the third quarter that included shedding multiple tackles. As Georgia's No. 2 running back, there will be plenty of opportunities for Bowens moving forward, and he looks poised to make the most of them. 

RB Sire Gaines, Boise State vs. Eastern Washington

Sire Gaines spent last season in the shadow of Ashton Jeanty and was then injured for the final 10 games, but he's now the face of this Boise State backfield and looks to be quite serviceable. Against admittedly out-manned Eastern Washington, he took 14 carries for 98 yards and a score. Gaines has also seen seven targets through two weeks, meaning the Broncos aren't shy about getting him the ball. Gaines has yet to have his true breakout moment, but he should continue to get plenty of touches in this Boise State offense, and Saturday's effort earned him Mountain West Freshman of the Week honors.

Week 2 Freshman Wide Receiver Standout Performances

WR Dakorien Moore, Oregon vs. Oklahoma State

The Ducks hung 69 points on a hapless Oklahoma State Cowboys squad, and the true freshman Moore managed to get in on the action. It was only a matter of time before the consensus five-star prospect made his mark in Eugene, and it only took until Week 2. Moore caught two passes for 69 yards and a score, while taking a handoff 25 yards to the house as well, resulting in 21.4 fantasy points. The fact that he has just six targets through two weeks is interesting, but Oregon is clearly making an effort to get the ball in his hands by getting him involved on the ground as well. Moore is too talented not to make the most of his touches, and when the Ducks figure out how to consistently get him the ball, he'll keep Big Ten defensive coordinators up at night. 

WR Jalen Cooper, SMU vs. Baylor

Cooper earned a starting role immediately upon setting foot in Dallas, and he's scored a touchdown in each of his first two games. Week 2 was his best performance yet, as he reeled in just two catches but produced 89 yards and a score, finishing with 14.9 fantasy points. The true freshman is off to a hot start, just like the rest of this SMU offense in year two of the Kevin Jennings era. The star quarterback appears to be on a different level this year, with the team posting 42 and 48 points in the first two games, and Cooper has been — and figures to continue to be — one of the main beneficiaries. 

WR Parker Livingstone, Texas vs. San Jose State

Livingstone grabbed attention in Week 1 as well, as he caught his first career touchdown pass, which also happened to be the Longhorns' only touchdown against Ohio State. But in Week 2, against a much weaker secondary in San Jose State, the redshirt freshman went off. He only needed four receptions to post 128 yards and two touchdowns (24.8 fantasy points). It helps that Emmett Mosley has yet to play this season, which may give Livingstone additional snaps. Still, the wideout is proving he's a dangerous playmaker who deserves the ball regardless of who else is healthy.