How Southern Section football alumni are faring as true freshmen in NCAA Division 1 college football

We've checked in on how 100 of the top Southern Section class of 2019 players are faring as true freshman in NCAA D-1 college football.

With the college football season over halfway over, enough time has gone by to get a feel for how the CIF Southern Section class of 2019 stars are faring in Division 1. Some of them are starring on great teams, and some are red-shirting at small D-1 programs. Most of them are somewhere in between.

Our list features 100 true freshmen who graduated earlier this year and are now playing NCAA Division 1 college football. We did our best to track down every player, but if you know of someone who’s not on our list, let us know! We want to track every single Southern Section graduate from the class of 2019 who is playing Division 1 college football. (The list is in alphabetical order.)

*All data is accurate per ESPN or team websites as of Thursday, October 24, 2019.

1. Cade Albright – BYU – DL – San Juan Hills

Albright committed to BYU early in 2019. He’s not on their active roster, and we've been told that he's likely on his Mission this year.

2. Jaden Allen – Hawaii – WR – Bishop Amat

Allen hasn’t gotten into a game yet for Hawaii, who has a lot of capable wide-outs on the roster. Some of them are upperclassmen though, so if he doesn’t get any run early on, he should have numerous chances a little bit later in his college career.

3. Blake Antzoulatos – Cal – ILB – Chaminade

One of the best linebackers in all of high school football last season, Antzoulatos is currently towards the bottom of the depth chart for the Golden Bears. His chance at the rotation may come as early as next year when Evan Weaver and Colt Doughty graduate. 

4. Blake Archuleta – Utah – QB – Bishop Amat

Last year’s Mission League MVP is currently on Utah’s active roster. However, he’s not in the top three in the depth chart and hasn’t seen any action yet. That said, starter Tyler Huntley is a senior and with older players ahead of him, there’s a chance his opportunity for rotation minutes comes as early as next year.

5. Akili Arnold – Oregon State – S/CB/ATH – Mission Viejo 

Arnold has yet to find his niche at Oregon State in a secondary with a lot of young talent. At Mission Viejo he played both safety and cornerback, and stood out as an all-purpose back catching, running, and returning the football. So far he has four tackles in two games this season.

6. Cole Aubrey – Princeton – LB – St. John Bosco

While some statistical sources say Aubrey hasn’t played yet for Princeton, who has several upperclassmen linebackers, he debuted on September 21st in a 49-7 victory over Butler and assisted on two tackles. Either way, if he doesn’t get much playing time as an underclassman, he projects to as a junior and senior.

7. Alex Austin – Oregon State – CB – Long Beach Poly

So far, Austin hasn’t cracked the Beavers’ rotation yet. He was one of the top cornerbacks in the country last season, but has a number of players in front of him on the depth chart who still have multiple years left at Oregon State. He did finally get into two games earlier this month and record seven tackles (six solo).

8. Hank Bachmeier – Boise State – QB – Murrieta Valley

Bachmeier is off to perhaps the most productive start in his college career of anybody on the list. Through seven unbeaten games, he threw for 1,547 with a massive passer rating of 149.2. He suffered a hip injury of unknown severity two weeks ago against Hawaii, and had to leave the game. In their first game without him last week, the Broncos suffered their first loss of the season.

9. Jake Bailey – Rice – WR – St. John Bosco

A member of First Team All-Division 1 last season, Bailey has gotten into three games for 25 receiving yards so far.

10. Alec Bank – Harvard – OL – Tesoro

While he’s not currently in the rotation and has played yet, Bank is expected to get chances to win rotation minutes from early on in his college career.

11. Syrr Barnes – Dixie State – ILB – Mission Viejo

Dixie State is going to move up to Division 1 next season with Barnes as a fixture at linebacker, so we gave him the nod even though technically they are still in Division 2. Barnes was one of the best middle linebackers in Orange County last season, and is off to a strong start so far for the Trailblazers. He’s played in six games for 6-1 Dixie, and has 35 tackles, including a 17-tackle eruption on September 28thagainst South Dakota Mines.

12. Kyon Barrs – Arizona – DT – Murrieta Mesa

Barrs has already appeared in five games for Arizona this season with six tackles. For a freshman on a team with a crowded defensive line, fringe rotation minutes is a solid start.

13. Blake Beecher – Colorado State – LB – Norco

Beecher is on the active roster but not the depth chart for the Rams. They have a lot of young talent at linebacker so he may struggle to earn playing time for now.

14. Charles Bein – Air Force – P – San Clemente

Charlie Bein was First Team All-Division 1 last season at punter for the Tritons. He currently isn’t on the Falcons’ active roster and is presumably red-shirting.

15. Evan Bennett – Oregon State – DT – Mater Dei

While there are at least two guys ahead of him on the Beavers’ depth chart, Bennett got into a game in September against Cal Poly and recorded a pair of tackles.

16. Caden Blyth – Idaho State – OL – JSerra

Blyth hasn’t played yet, but he’s on the active roster. It’s unclear when he’ll get his chance at rotation minutes at Idaho State. 

17. Colby Bowman – Stanford – WR – St. John Bosco

Bowman played seven different sports growing up, and holds St. John Bosco track records in the 200 meters and 4x100-relay. Bowman will be hard-pressed to get minutes in a crowded Stanford receiving corps–13 different players have gotten targeted as receivers so far this season.

18. McKel Broussard – UTEP – ATH/DB – Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks)

While Broussard stood out most as a wide receiver last season for Notre Dame, UTEP primarily recruited the versatile athlete as a defensive back. He got into a game early in the season against Houston Baptist but currently isn’t near the rotation. That said, UTEP’s secondary is filled with juniors and seniors, so he should get ample opportunities sooner than later.

19. Michael Callahan – Boise State – DE – Yorba Linda

Currently on the active roster, Callahan may earn a rotation spot next season when some key seniors on the defensive line graduate.

20. Josh Carlin – UCLA – OL – Sierra Canyon

Now up to 6-5, 315, Carlin isn’t currently in UCLA’s rotation. He is on the active roster and should have a chance before too long.

21. Drew Carter – Southern Utah – LB – Camarillo

He hasn’t played yet, but Carter should have a chance to make the Thunderbirds’ rotation in the next year or two.

22. Zach Charbonnet – Michigan – RB – Oaks Christian

Charbonnet is up to 457 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. He erupted for 100 rushing yards in Michigan’s victory over Army and 116 against Illinois. He also has eight receptions worth 30 yards. Next year Michigan will have a crazy backfield with Blake Corum coming in from Saint Francis (Baltimore).

23. Jackson Cloyd – Oregon State – LB – Orange Lutheran

There are a lot of linebackers ahead of Cloyd on the Beavers’ depth chart. Most are juniors and sophomores, with only one senior. Currently active, he should have no problem getting playing time as an upperclassman, but it still might be a while before he gets into a game.

24. Kenny Collins – Davidson – SB/RB – Bishop Amat

Davidson is off to a 5-2 start this season, and Collins has broken into two games as a freshman. Last week against Jacksonville, he had a nine-yard rush and 12 total yards.

25. Jake Cossavella – Navy – OG – Orange Lutheran

Currently, Cossavella is on the active roster, but nowhere to be seen in games or on the depth chart. That said, the Navy has an abundance of upperclassman guards, including seniors. He hasn’t played yet, but should have a lot of opportunities to compete for playing time before too late in his college career.

26. Brendan Costello – Oklahoma State – QB – San Clemente

The dual-threat QB hasn’t played yet this season and isn’t on the depth chart. However, with 2nd-string QB Dru Brown graduating soon, he’ll have the opportunity to compete for the backup spot next season at the latest. Freshman Spencer Sanders has been starting this season, and he’s been productive but raw and inconsistent. 

27. Jayden Daniels – Arizona State – QB – Cajon

While his Cajon team wasn’t in the Southern Section’s top two divisions in high school, Jayden Daniels is off to as good of a college football start as anybody on this list. Arizona State is 5-2, and Daniels has already thrown for 1,635 yards.

28. Cameron Davis – Washington – RB – Upland

Currently behind two juniors on the depth chart, Davis might not get a chance for much playing time until he’s an upperclassman.

29. Taj Davis – Washington – WR – Upland

Davis is not currently anywhere to be found on the Huskies’ depth chart. However, three of Washington’s top four receivers are seniors. So, he’ll likely get a great opportunity as early as next season to compete for a starting role.

30. Sean Dollars – Oregon – RB – Mater Dei

While Dollars isn’t in the top four on the depth chart at RB for Oregon right now, he has gotten into two games this season in garbage time and has 81 yards on seven carries. All four guys above him are sophomores, so Dollars may have his hands full trying to get real rotation minutes before his senior year at Oregon.

31. Steele Dubar – Colorado – LB – Mater Dei

Dubar hasn’t played yet and isn’t anywhere near the rotation, but has been a contributor on the offensive scout team and is expected to compete for minutes at both inside and outside linebacker within the next year or two at Colorado.

32. Daniel Fitzmorris – Carnegie Mellon – OG – Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks)

Fitmorris isn’t really in Carnegie Mellon’s rotation, but has gotten into three games during garbage time. He most likely has a good chance to be an impact player fairly early on in his career for the Tartans. He’s also balancing football with an engineering degree.

33. De’Gabriel Floyd – Texas – LB – Upland

Unfortunately, Floyd is sitting out his freshman year with spinal stenosis. The four-star recruit was expected to be an immediate impact-player for the Longhorns, and will be reevaluated in January. 

34. Jojo Forest – Oregon State – CB – Mission Viejo

Forest is the DB3 on the Beavers and has appeared in every game for the Beavers, with 20 tackles (14 solo) on the season already. He was also one of the better wide receivers in Orange County as a senior at Mission Viejo.

35. Cade Fuller – Fresno State – P – Servite

Fuller is red-shirting his freshman season, but will likely get an opportunity to crack the Bulldogs’ rotation a little bit down the road. Also playing football at Fresno State is his older brother Asa.

36. EJ Gable – Sacramento State – RB – Sierra Canyon

Elijah “EJ” Gable hasn’t played yet for Sac State, but should have opportunities to compete for playing time early in his career.

37. James Giles – BYU – ILB – Capistrano Valley

Giles isn’t on the Cougars’ active roster, and is presumably red-shirting his freshman year.

38. Ralen Goforth – USC – LB – St. John Bosco

USC has a fairly crowded rotation of linebackers, but Goforth has gotten into three games, against BYU, Stanford, and Arizona. He’s registered five tackles so far.

39. Christian Grubb – UCLA – RB – Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks)

Right now, Grubb is buried on the depth chart behind a number of talented backs for the Bruins. 

40. Jack Harlow – OL – Montana Sate – JSerra 

Harlow can play a number of positions on the offensive line, particularly center and guard. Currently he’s buried in the depth chart at Montana State and appears to be red-shirting his freshman year, but there is an expectation that he can compete for playing time before too long passes by.

41. Shakobe Harper – Cal Poly San Luis Obispo – RB – Mater Dei

Harper hasn’t played yet for the Mustangs, but he’s expected to get opportunities to crack the rotation early in his college career.

42. Ryan Hilinski – South Carolina – QB – Orange Lutheran

For a freshman quarterback at a high major with a strong strength of schedule, Ryan Hilinski has been very steady this season. The Gamecocks are 3-3 in games that he’s played, including a win over one of the top teams in the country in UGA. Hilinski has thrown for nearly 1,200 yards, seven touchdowns, and only three interceptions.

43. Reece Hite – Princeton – DE – Mission Viejo

The weak-side defensive end had offers from half the Ivy League, and decided on the Tigers who are 5-0. He’s gotten into one game against Butler and recorded a tackle.

44. Luke Hoggard – Penn – LB – Edison

Hoggard is buried near the bottom of Penn’s depth chart at linebacker right now. He’s also a business student in the prestigious Wharton School.

45. George Holani – Boise State – RB – St. John Bosco

So far this season, Holani has recorded 463 rushing yards and 88 receiving yards. He went for over 100 rushing yards against Marshall alone. Boise State is off to a 6-1 start. 

46. Drake Jackson – USC – LB – Corona Centennial

Jackson is one of the players on this list with the most immediate impact in the college game. Through seven games at USC, he’s completed 30 tackles, 8.5 of which came for loss, and has registered 3.5 sacks for 30 lost yards. In the Trojans’ last game, a big win over Utah, Jackson had a season-high eight tackles.

47. Deven Jarvis – Fresno State – CB/FS – Bishop Amat

Jarvis is yet to play for Fresno State, but is expected to get opportunities early on to compete for a rotation spot. He mostly played cornerback for Bishop Amat’s Mission League championship squad, but will likely play primarily free safety for the Bulldogs. 

48. JJ Jenkins – Columbia – WR – San Clemente

He hasn’t played yet, but Jaydel “JJ” Jenkins is on the active roster for the Lions.

49. Matt Kilander – USD – OL – Santa Margarita

Kilander has gotten into games against UC Davis and Valparaiso. Even if he’s only a fringe rotation player for the rest of this season, it already bodes well for the opportunities he may get early in his college career.

50. Richard Krebs – Princeton – OL – Orange Lutheran

The versatile offensive lineman is yet to play for the 5-0 Tigers, but he is on the active roster.

51. Drake London – USC – WR – Moorpark

London has already played in five games at wide receiver for USC. In their big win against Stanford, he completed three catches for a total of 62 yards. He also had 52 receiving yards in last week’s in against Arizona. Look out for the 6-5 shooting guard when basketball season comes around as well. 

52. Nick Lopez – Cal – K – Mater Dei

One of the top kickers in the country last season at Mater Dei, Lopez is yet to play in a game for Cal. That said, he is expected to be the Golden Bears’ placekicker of the future.

53. Tarik Luckett – Colorado – WR – JSerra

After moving from wide receiver to cornerback in the fall training camp, Luckett recorded his first tackle as a Buffalo last week at Washington State. He did play some DB at JSerra, but receiver was his bread and butter. He’s on path to quickly earning heavy minutes in Colorado’s defensive backfield as a freshman. The biggest question is whether he’ll ever get snaps on offense down the line.

54. Wakely Lush – Stanford – OT/TE – San Clemente

A tight end at San Clemente, Lush has been converted primarily to an offensive lineman at Stanford. Stanford has a lot of freshman at offensive tackle and three juniors at tight end ahead of him on the depth chart. So, there may be some opportunities at both positions depending on what they want to do with him. He projects to get significant chances at tight end by his junior year if he keeps that position in his repertoire. 

55. Spencer Lytle – Wisconsin – OLB – St. John Bosco

Wisconsin has numerous linebackers ahead of Lytle with more tenure and experience. Right now he’s near the bottom of the depth chart, but will likely have opportunities to crack the rotation before too long.

56. Zahran Manley – Stanford – CB – Upland

There are at least four cornerbacks in front of Manley on Stanford’s depth chart, and most are not seniors. It may be hard for him to get much playing time until he’s an upperclassman.

57. Mike Martinez – UCLA – TE – Mater Dei

Martinez has two receptions for a total of 32 yards this season as a Bruin. He’s played in every game, but his primary job has just been blocking. He’s a strong candidate to become a top-flight D-1 starter early in his college career.

58. Munir McClain – USC – WR – JSerra

McClain was starting to crack the rotation before tearing his right ACL last week against Arizona. Before the season-ending injury, he had three receptions in five games. He also tore his left ACL and meniscus as a junior at JSerra. 

59. Ty McCullouch – Colorado State – WR – Rancho Verde

While he’s only gotten three receptions so far, McCullough has seen snaps in four different games for the Rams. All indications are that he will have ample opportunities as an underclassman.

60. Tyson McDonald – Akron – DB – Roosevelt

McDonald has got into game in September for Akron, in which he recorded two tackles. He will likely be competitive for rotation minutes early on in his career as a Zip, but his time hasn’t come yet.

61. Trent McDuffie – Washington – CB – St. John Bosco

McDuffie has played seven of eight games for the Huskies, recording 30 tackles (25 solo) at cornerback. There has been some speculation that he may see significant time at safety as well going forward. 

62. Quantraill Morris-Walker – Idaho State – DB – JSerra

The versatile defensive back hasn’t gotten into a game yet for Idaho State, but he is on the active roster.

63. Calvin Mouisset – UC Davis – LB – JSerra

Mouisset has already cracked the Aggies’ rotation, with a total of eight tackles in four games. He’s still near the bottom of the depth chart, but is off to a good start on working his way up.

64. Shawn Nielsen – San Diego State – DT – JSerra

He’s on the active roster, but Nielsen is buried on the Aztecs’ depth chart. If he stays at defensive tackle, it might be a while before he cracks the rotation.

65. William Nimmo Jr. – UCLA – S – Mater Dei

There are a number of safeties on UCLA ahead of Nimmo on the depth chart, and none of them are seniors. If he wants to get playing time, he’ll have to somehow grind out a spot amongst them.

66. Tuasivi Nomura – USC – LB – Corona Centennial

Nomura might struggle to find playing time early on, as USC has a lot of young talent at linebacker. Among those ahead on the depth chart is his high school teammate Drake Jackson.

67. Jacob Nunez – Arizona State – OL – Lompoc

Nunez committed to ASU but isn’t on their active roster. He’s most likely red-shirting his freshman year.

68. Erich Osteen – UCLA – LB – Chaminade

Osteen got into one game for UCLA and recorded a tackle against Oklahoma, but he currently isn’t in the rotation. However, the Bruins’ entire starting linebacking corps is comprised of seniors. He could compete for a starting spot as early as next year.

69. Jonathan Perkins – Oklahoma – OLB – Cajon

In late September, Jonathan Perkins became the first Sooner of the year to enter the transfer portal. He chose Oklahoma over well over 20 other offers, but his status is up in the air.

70. Mark Perry – Colorado State – S/ATH – Rancho Cucamonga

Perry did a number of things as an ATH for the Cougars last season, but primarily projects as a safety for Colordao State. He got into their September 21st game against ASU and recorded a sack in the narrow upset victory. He’s also gotten reps the last two weeks in blowout losses with seven combined tackles.

71. Paul Piferi – Purdue – QB – Villa Park

Piferi hasn’t played this season and likely won’t crack the rotation. However, starting QB Elijah Sindelar is a senior, putting Piferi in the mix in the years to come.

72. Mycah Pittman – Oregon – WR – Calabasas

At first, Pittman was around the bottom of Oregon’s deep receiving corps. Now he’s gotten into the past three games, and registered at least 43 receiving yards in all of them. 

73. Sua’ava Poti – Oregon – LB – St. John Bosco

While he’s currently nowhere near the rotation, Poti is on the Ducks’ active roster and has taken a snap. Oregon has a number of upperclassmen linebackers including some seniors, so he should have a chance at rotation minutes next year and certainly by his junior year.

74. Ethan Rae – USC – TE – Orange Lutheran

Rae committed to USC with the expectation of competing for rotation minutes right away. He’s currently not on the depth chart and hasn’t played yet, but he’s active and might get some opportunities early on in his college career.

75. Sean Rhyan – UCLA – OT – San Juan Hills

Only a couple weeks into his college career, Rhyan got his first starting nod for the Bruins against Cincinatti. Rhyan has played in every game this season and is considered one of the pillars of the team on the offensive line for the years to come.

76. Grant Ristoff – Pennsylvania – DL – JSerra

Ristoff is on the active roster, but hasn’t seen playing time yet. It’s unclear when he will get his opportunity with the Quakers.

77. Na’im Rodman – Colorado – DT – St. John Bosco

Primarily a defensive tackle with the possibility of playing elsewhere up front such as nose guard, Rodman has been in the Buffaloes’ rotation since day one. He’s already had several tackles this season including two key stops on third down.

78. Aaron Rodriguez – Missouri – PK – Hart

Missouri has senior Tucker McCann holding it down at kicker/punter right now, so Rodriguez likely won’t play unless he gets hurt. Next season onward though, Rodriguez has a strong chance at starting.

79. Jason Rodriguez – USC – OT/OG – Oak Hills

While he made the active roster, Rodriguez might not see action for a while as a Trojan. They have a mix of young and veteran talent on their offensive line.

80. Kai Rojas – Navy – QB/ATH – St. Bonaventure

Currently red-shirting as a freshman, it’s unclear what Rojas’ role will be for the Navy. He was a dual-threat QB and all-purpose back for St. Bonaventure, and made First Team All-Division 4 as a “utility” player. 

81. Simon Samarzich – Washington State – LS – Upland

So far this season, Samarzich has been deadlocked with Tyler Williams as the first-string long snapper, but has seen playing time on a regular basis.

82. Chris Steele – USC – CB – St. John Bosco

Steele has played in five games so far for USC. He’s up to 20 tackles on the season, 15 unassisted.

83. Marist Talavou – Utah – OL – St. John Bosco

The 6-4, 320 lbs. lineman has not played yet for Utah. He was First-Team All-Division 1 last season for Bosco.

84. Stanley Ta’ufo’ou – USC – ILB – Grace Brethren

Ta’ufo’ou is on the active roster, but hasn’t played yet. The Trojans have a lot of young talent at linebacker so he may struggle to crack the rotation for the foreseeable future.

85. Dylan Taylor – San Diego State – DL – Cathedral

Taylor hasn’t played so far, and isn’t on San Diego State’s depth chart. It’s unclear when he will get his shot at playing time for the Aztecs.

86. Wyatt Terlaak – Navy – OT – El Modena

Terlaak isn’t on the Navy’s active roster. Most likely he’s red-shirting.

87. Kayvon Thibodeaux – Oregon – DE – Oaks Christian

Thibodeaux is already in Oregon’s rotation, and has played in six games so far this season. He’s completed ten tackles and 2.5 sacks.

88. Titus Toler – Wisconsin – S – St. John Bosco

After initially committing to Colorado, Toler decided to join Braves teammate Spencer Lytle in Wisconsin’s defense. It’s unclear which safety position will be his calling as a Badger. He hasn’t played yet but is on the active roster, with a couple juniors and other freshman ahead of him on the depth chart.

89. Kyle Trombley – San Diego State – OL – Yorba Linda

While Trombley isn’t on the depth chart right now, the Aztecs have a few key rotation players on the offensive line who will graduate in the next year or two. He might not play much as an underclassman, but will most likely get a chance at playing time before too long.

90. Jaxen Turner – Arizona – S – Rancho Verde

Turner got into a game against NAU and recorded a couple unassisted tackles. So far he’s not in the rotation, but figures to get a lot of playing time before long in his career as a Wildcat. 

91. Xavier Ugorji – Sacramento State – RB – Rancho Verde

Ugorji isn’t on Sac State’s active roster, so he’s most likely red-shirting his freshman year. He made First Team All-Division 2 last season for Rancho Verde.

92. Keyon Ware-Hudson – Oregon – DT – Mater Dei

In the one game he got into so far for Oregon, Keyon Ware-Hudson made the most of his playing time. The big man delivered three tackles and a sack in a 77-6 rout of Nevada.

93. Dohnovan West – Arizona State – OL –Alemany

Arizona State is 5-2, and West has played in every game. So far a great start to his college career.

94. Jordan Wilmore – Utah – RB – Lawndale

The Division 3 Offensive Player of the Year and member of state champion Lawndale is already getting minutes for Utah. He’s played in all seven games, and has 157 rushing yards plus two receptions for 13 receiving yards.

95. Davin Wilson – Bowling Green – CB – Rancho Verde

Wilson hasn’t played yet for Bowling Green, but is expected to have chances at the rotation early on in his college career.

96. Jude Wolfe – USC – TE – St. John Bosco

While Wolfe currently hasn’t gotten a shot yet at USC, he’s currently listed at third on their depth chart. With two juniors ahead of him, he may get some playing time before the end of next season, but appears to be a lock to start as an upperclassman either way.

97. Deavyn Woullard – UCLA/Air Force – DB – Mission Viejo

Mission Viejo’s two-way star initially committed to the Air Force, but is now listed on UCLA’s roster with the Air Force still in his page. He excelled at wide receiver last season, but his bread and butter is as a versatile defensive back, usually playing safety.

98. Joey Yellen – Arizona State – QB – Mission Viejo

After enrolling in January at ASU, Yellen officially earned the second-string quarterback spot. So far that hasn’t amounted to any playing time, but he’s closer to the top of the depth chart than the bottom. The worry though is that it’s another true freshman, Jayden Daniels, who has cemented the spot ahead of him.

99. Luke Young – UCLA – OL – Paloma Valley

Young was a two-time all-league member at Paloma Valley. UCLA has an abundance of youth in the offensive line, so he may be in a difficult situation as he's currently not on the depth chart.

100. Eric Zambrano – Montana State – CB – Upland

Zambrano has gotten into six games for Montana State and recorded 7 tackles. He’s expected to be a major contributor as soon as he’s done adjusting to the level of competition of college football.