Top Impact Freshmen

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Nov 15, 2007

Top Impact Freshmen

Trevor Vittatoe

The redshirt freshman guides a high-powered offense that averages 434 yards and 35.3 points per game. Vittatoe boasts a 22-to-4 touchdown-to-interception differential, and he's eclipsed 300 yards in four of his last five outings.

Tavious Polo

Polo is tied for the national lead in interceptions (seven), even though he hasn't recorded a pick since Sept. 29. At this point, teams just avoid his side of the field.

DeMarco Murray

Quite possibly the most exciting player on this list, Murray has made his presence felt as a tailback, slot receiver, kickoff return man and, for five snaps against Texas A&M, a quarterback. He boasts 1,096 total yards and 15 touchdowns (13 rushing, two on kick returns).

Jake Locker

The hobbled freshman may not play this weekend against Cal, which would be a major blow to the Washington offense. The dual-threat signal-caller has thrown for 1,696 yards and 13 touchdowns and run for an additional 807 yards and 10 scores.

Eric Berry

He leads the Volunteers with four interceptions (which he's returned for a national-high 207 yards) and ranks first among SEC freshmen with 57 tackles. Berry's shown versatility by excelling at both corner and safety.

LeSean McCoy

He's the first 1,000-yard rusher for Pitt in seven years. "Shady" ranks second in the Big East and 14th nationally with an average of 118.3 rushing yards per game.

Jeremy Maclin

While Chase Daniel earns most of the headlines for 9-1 Missouri, Maclin is the X-factor that gives opposing coaches nightmares. The speed demon has compiled 1,949 all-purpose yards -- just 78 away from the national record for a freshman.

Sam Bradford

Bradford, who won the starting job just before the season started, leads the country in passing efficiency. The redshirt freshman has thrown 28 touchdown passes to just six interceptions.

Knowshon Moreno

Nobody has played a bigger role in Georgia's resurgence than the electric Moreno. During the Bulldogs' recent four-game winning streak, Moreno has run for 642 yards and eight touchdowns.

Michael Crabtree

Crabtree, who played quarterback in high school, easily leads the nation in pretty much every receiving category, including catches (113), yards (1,707) and touchdown grabs (20). The redshirt freshman has eclipsed the 150-yard mark in six games.