In previous years, it’d be easy to write off a freshman. Most staffs opted to preserve their eligibility with a redshirt before the 5-for-5 policy guaranteed a five-year timeline, which eliminates the need for such measures or medical waivers in the era of NIL and the transfer portal.
Now, there’s more of an incentive to those Year 1 reps.
A handful of Big 12 newcomers have made waves online through Week 3, and entering the fourth week of the college football season, let’s take stock of which freshmen to watch as we enter the weekend.
1. Legend Glasker, WR, BYU
It’s tough to find another freshman in the Big 12 with more upside. Glasker kicked off his college career with two touchdown receptions against Utah Tech, and since that start, the Lehi, Utah, native has been averaging 24.5 yards on 3.6 targets per game. He’s coming off a 131-yard performance at Colorado State, where he caught five different passes, including a 70-yarder from Bear Bachmeier.
2. Cannon DeVries, CB, BYU
Another Utah recruit, DeVries popped off in Week 1 with a 100-yard kickoff return and now has 73 punt-return yards for the Cougars through their 3-0 start to the season. He’s a wild card on special teams, and one BYU will certainly profit if he keeps up the heroics this week at TCU.
3. Keisean Henderson, QB, Houston
Connor Weigman is providing Houston with dependable quarterback play through Week 3, and his backup, Keisean Henderson, reinforces trust for the Cougars under center should their senior run into trouble. Willie Fritz and Houston are well off with Weigman, and could still certainly compete for a Big 12 title, but folks can already see the future with Henderson flashing in his limited opportunities while learning under a veteran arm.
4. LaDamion Guyton, EDGE, Texas Tech
One of the league’s few game-ready freshmen, 17-year-old LaDamion Guyton, a five-star recruit out of Benedictine Military School in Savannah, Georgia, reclassified to the 2026 class, has already recorded three stops and one solo tackle in the first two games of his college career. Guyton recorded a fumble recovery and his first solo hit last week against No. 22 Houston.
5. Kevin Obot, OL, Utah
One of Utah’s emerging younger guards, Kevin Obot, a five-star prospect out of Fruitland High in Fruitland, Idaho, has appeared in the two-deep since Week 1 against his home state, FCS Idaho. He’s the second guard slotted behind senior Moea’i Solatoa and, given his appearances in three consecutive games, will see snaps again this week at Iowa State.
