Posted by Mark Branstad – Football Talent Advisors
We’re heading into week eleven and there’s still some great freshman performances to be mentioned. One of the nation’s most impressive freshman, Vanderbilt’s Warren Norman, leads the SEC in all-purpose yardage. He has more all-purpose yards than any freshman in all of D1-FBS. Praise is long overdue.
Freshman of Influence Week 10:
Warren Norman, RB / KR – Vanderbilt
Norman is having an outstanding season despite his team’s struggles. As mentioned above he leads the SEC in all-purpose yardage with 1,696 (169.6 avg. game) through 10 games and tops all freshman nationally in all-purpose yardage as well. He has seven total touchdowns with three by kick return. The best way to describe Norman is to say he’s ‘dynamic’. Norman also participated in high school track at Chamblee HS (Georgia) qualifying for the state meet in the 400 meter relay with bests of 11.08 / 100 meters, 22.94 / 200 meters and (42.24) 400 meter relay.
Montez Robinson, DE – Georgia
Had his breakout game last week against Tennessee Tech, credited with five tackles, 2.5 TFLs and two sacks. Robinson’s playing time looks to be increased as Georgia’s been hit with some injuries and focuses on developing young players for next year. Robinson attended Avon HS, in a suburb of Indianapolis, Indiana. While at Avon he participated in track his junior year throwing the shot put 50’01 (indoors) and also throwing the discus and running sprints briefly.
Rashard Hall, Safety – Clemson
Hall leads all freshman defensive players nationally with five interceptions through ten games, include 39 tackles and two TFLs and that’s a solid season. Hall attended St. Augustine HS (Florida) and participated in track and field with bests of 41’11 in triple jump and 19’10 in the long jump as a senior. Take into account Hall’s size 6’02 /195lbs and there’s a bright future for him at safety.
Brice Butler, WR – Southern Cal
Butler has managed to see the field for the Trojans at wide receiver and had some production. Injuries at wide receiver have given the redshirt freshman opportunities and he’s performed with 10 catches for 166 yards and a touchdown in nine games. At 6’03 / 200lbs he’ll see more time in the future and provide a great target for Barkley. Butler attended Norcross HS (Georgia) and among other things participated in track and field. As a sophomore he partcipated at the state meet in the 400 relay, finished seventh. His bests that year were 22.75 / 200, 50.56 / 400, (42.54) 400 relay and (3:22.86) 4×400 relay at the Region 7-5A Meet.
Josh Robinson, CB – Central Florida
Robinson is another exciting freshman defensive back. He’s intercepted four passes (one touchdown), has 51 tackles, one TFL and six PBUs. That’s what I call production from a freshman player. Robinson was a spectacular track athlete at Plantation HS (Florida) with bests of 10.77 / 100, 21.61 / 200 and 21’00 in the long jump. His track performances have translated to production on the field this season.
