By Jack Leo
DALLAS (FWAA) – Each week during the 2025 season, we will highlight the notable
performances of first-year players and head coaches leading up to the selection of our annual
Freshman All-America Team and the Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach of the Year Award
presented by Chris Doering Mortgage.
For the fifth straight year the top first-year coach in the FBS will be honored at a special reception Feb. 23, 2026 at Spurrier's Gridiron Grille in Gainesville, Fla. The Spurrier Legends Awardee Coach and Freshmen Players of the Year will also be honored.
Here are the top performances from Week 5, the weekend of Sept. 27:
FIRST-YEAR PLAYERS: THE FRESH FOUR
Micah Alejado, QB, Hawaii (5-10, 180, Las Vegas. Nev.): 35/47, 457 yards, 3 TD
Alejado shattered career-highs in completions, passing yards and touchdowns in Hawaii’s 44-35
win over Air Force. The redshirt freshman led the Rainbow Warriors to their first conference win
with a fast start and elite finish. He threw touchdown passes on Hawaii’s first two drives and led
the offense to a 20-point fourth quarter to seal the win. Alejado will have an extra week to
prepare for Hawaii’s next game against Utah State on Oct. 11.
CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame (6-3, 210, Saline, Mich.): 22/30, 354 yards, 4 TD
Carr has continued to put together one of the best freshman campaigns of any quarterback in
the country. The redshirt freshman led Notre Dame’s attack in a dominant 56-13 win at
Arkansas that included a 42-point first half. Carr’s nine passing touchdowns through four games
lead all Power 4 freshmen, and he’s coming off his best performance yet. Carr aims to keep
rolling as Notre Dame tries to fight its way back into the top 10, starting with a win over Boise
State this weekend.
Luke Ferrelli, LB, California (6-3, 230, San Diego, Calif.): 5 total tackles, 1 INT
Ferrelli’s stat line has been better, but no single play mattered more to California’s 28-24 win
over Boston College than his last play did. The redshirt freshman linebacker intercepted a
potential Boston College game-winning touchdown in the end zone with 20 seconds left to seal
the win. Ferrelli has also proven himself as a strong run defender, as he leads all FBS freshman
linebackers with 38 total tackles. He’ll look for another clutch game as the 4-1 Golden Bears
host Duke this Saturday.
Nate Sheppard, RB, Duke (5-10, 195, Mandeville, La.): 15 rushes, 168 yards, 2 TD; 4
receptions, 33 yards
Sheppard introduced himself to many Duke fans and the rest of the ACC in a 38-3 thumping of
Syracuse. The true freshman logged his first career 100-yard game and his first two
touchdowns. Sheppard sparked the offense with the first touchdown of the day, a 49-yard run
followed by 28 unanswered Duke points. Sheppard can introduce himself to the west coast this
weekend when the Blue Devils visit California Saturday night.
STEVE SPURRIER FIRST-YEAR COACHES
Blake Harrell, East Carolina: Harrell’s game plan appeared to be near perfect, as East
Carolina took control early with a 21-point first quarter. The Pirates, who were slight favorites
over Army, finished Thursday night with a statement 28-6 win on national television. East
Carolina limited the Black Knights to two third down conversions in 15 attempts. Harrell’s Pirates
will have the week off before visiting American Conference heavyweight Tulane on Oct. 9.
Charles Huff, Southern Miss: Huff’s Golden Eagles entered Saturday night as 3.5-point
favorites and left with a decisive 42-25 win over Jacksonville State. Quarterback Braylon
Braxton threw two touchdowns and added another on the ground while Huff’s defense forced
four turnovers. Southern Miss’ pass defense was particularly impressive, allowing just 5.1 yards
per pass attempt. Huff and the Golden Eagles will also have the week off before a trip to
Georgia Southern on Oct. 9.
Jimmy Rogers, Washington State: Rogers had the upset of the week for first-year coaches as
5.5-point underdog Washington State toppled Colorado State 20-3. Rogers’ Cougars pounced
out to the 20-3 lead by halftime and shut down any adjustments from the Colorado State
offense. Quarterback Zevi Eckhaus led Washington State’s offense with 189 yards and two
touchdowns on 16 completions. Rogers will have a bye this week to prepare for his toughest
game yet, a trip to Ole Miss on Oct. 11.
Brian Smith, Ohio: Smith picked up his first career win in the MAC by a 35-20 count over
Bowling Green and fellow first-year head coach Eddie George. The Bobcat secondary led the
way by forcing four turnovers and allowing just 5.9 yards per pass attempt. Ohio quarterback
Parker Navarro chipped in with 274 total yards and four total touchdowns in the win. Smith’s
Bobcats face their first road conference game this Saturday at Ball State.
For more information on attending or sponsoring the Fifth Annual reception at Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille for the Steve Spurrier First-Year and Legend Coach plus Freshman Player of the Year awards on Monday, Feb. 23, please contact Tricia Garzon of the JAG Agency at 352-214-2331. The media contact for the Freshman All-America Team is committee chairman and FWAA member Mike Griffith, contacted at 770-845-3244 and mikegriffith032@gmail.com.
Chris Doering Mortgage, based in Gainesville, Fla., was established in April 2007 as a residential lending company providing mortgage products including conventional, FHA, USDA, and VA loans. The branch is a division of MortgageAdvisors.com – 3940 NW 16th Blvd., Suite A, Gainesville, FL 32605 – NMLS 70168/1937321. FHA Lender ID 2631500094. For more information, visit ChrisDoeringMortgage.com. College football analyst Chris Doering, a former wide receiver for Coach Spurrier both in college and the NFL, serves as the branch manager.
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.
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