DALLAS (FWAA) – This is the seventh installment of the Football Writers Association of America's weekly Freshman Focus for the Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach of the Year Award, Freshman Player of the Year and the 2023 FWAA Freshman All-America Team.
The Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach Award, presented by Chris Doering Mortgage, goes to the best first-year coach (at his school) in FBS football at the conclusion of the season.
The recipient of the Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach, the FWAA Freshman of the Year and the Steve Spurrier Legends Coach will be honored at a special reception on Feb. 26 in Gainesville, Fla.
FIRST-YEAR PLAYERS: THE FRESH FOUR
Rocco Becht, QB, Iowa State (6-1, 205, Wesley Chapel, Fla.): 15/25, 241, 2 TD; 10 rushes, 12 yards, 1 TD
Becht led Iowa State to a dominant 30-10 win over Big 12 Conference newcomer Cincinnati. The redshirt freshman helped the Cyclones take control of the game in the second quarter, leading consecutive touchdown drives for a 17-7 halftime lead. Becht has thrown for at least one touchdown in all seven of his starts this season. The Cyclones will take this weekend off before visiting Baylor next Saturday.
Makhi Hughes, RB, Tulane (5-11, 195, Birmingham, Ala.): 26 carries, 130 yards, 1 TD
Another electric game from Hughes led Tulane past Memphis by a 31-21 total. The true freshman has become a workhorse for the Green Wave after posting his second straight game with over 100 rushing yards. Hughes’ 498 passing yards are good for the second-most among FBS freshmen. Hughes could become the American Athletic Conference’s leading rusher this weekend as Tulane faces a North Texas defense allowing 256 rushing yards per game.
Avery Johnson, QB, Kansas State: 8/9, 77 yards (6-2, 188, Wichita, Kan.); 13 rushes, 90 yards, 5 TD
Johnson ran over, around and through Texas Tech’s defensive front in a 38-21 win. The true freshman flashed speed, power, and plenty of shiftiness as the Wildcats moved into third place in the Big 12 Conference standings. Johnson’s five touchdowns are the most in the FBS this season. The Wildcat run game faces a stronger defensive front in TCU this Saturday.
Taurean York, LB, Texas A&M (6-0, 230, Temple. Tx.): 9 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 FF
York led Texas A&M in tackles for the third time this season in a 20-13 loss to Tennessee. The redshirt freshman helped the Aggie defense allow just 13 points and 332 yards of total offense. York’s 41 tackles on the season are second-most on the team and third among SEC freshmen. The Aggies are idle this weekend before hosting a struggling South Carolina team next weekend.
STEVE SPURRIER FIRST-YEAR COACHES
Tim Beck, Coastal Carolina: Chanticleer kicker Kade Hensley snuck a last-second field goal inside the right upright to give Beck his first Sun Belt Conference win. Coastal Carolina also earned its first win at App State in program history with the 27-24 Tuesday night victory. Beck’s passing attack has continued to mesh well with senior quarterback Grayson McCall, who threw for another 373 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Chanticleer offense will look to explode again when it visits a porous Arkansas State defense on Saturday.
Jamey Chadwell, Liberty: Chadwell also led his team to a Tuesday night win last week, topping Jacksonville State 31-13. Running back Quinton Cooley led the Flame offense with a career-high 163 yards and 2 touchdowns on 28 carries. Liberty appeared more prepared for the unorthodox schedule, outscoring the Gamecocks 21-3 in the second half. Chadwell’s team needs another Tuesday night win against Middle Tennessee to improve to 7-0.
Tom Herman, Florida Atlantic: Herman’s Owls made a statement to the American Athletic Conference with a 56-14 beatdown of USF. Florida Atlantic outgained the Bulls 587-388, averaging over 7.5 yards per play. The Owl defense quickly got off the field with only three first-down conversions in 15 attempts. Now locked in a four-way tie atop the AAC, Florida Atlantic can separate itself with a win against UTSA on Saturday.
Troy Taylor, Stanford: Taylor’s Cardinal completed one of the top come-from-behind victories of the season in a 46-43 overtime win at Colorado. Stanford rumbled back from a 29-0 halftime deficit to force double overtime, where Alaka’i Gilman snagged a game-winning interception in the end zone. Sophomore receiver Elic Ayomanor erupted for the Cardinal, hauling in 13 passes for 294 yards and 3 touchdowns. Taylor will look to parlay his first Pac-12 Conference win into another upset against No. 25 UCLA this weekend.
Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of journalists, broadcasters, publicists, photographers and key executives in all areas of college football. The FWAA works to govern media access and gameday operations while presenting awards and honors, including an annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its programs and initiatives, contact Executive Director Steve Richardson at 214-870-6516 or tiger@fwaa.com.