By Hunt Palmer
Brian Kelly spoke about the development of his freshmen as the season progresses. We took a look at what kind of workload the first-year players have taken on in the first month of the season. In total, 16 freshmen have played on offense, defense and/or special teams. Injuries and natural maturation should present more opportunities as the weeks go on.
OFFENSE
Caden Durham, RB: Durham didn’t play in the opener against USC. Since, he’s carried the ball 22 times for 116 yards and two scores. The bulk of that came at South Carolina when he ran for 98 yards and the two touchdowns. He got in on the action in the passing game against UCLA with a 35-yard touchdown catch.
Ju’Juan Johnson, RB: Johnson has played in all four games, but he moved to running back from safety when John Emery went down. When he’s in the game, he generally touches the ball. He’s taken seven offensive snaps and has three catches and two rushes on the season
Trey’Dez Green, TE: Green has seen action in all four games, three on offense. His most extensive outing came against Nichols when he played 20 offensive snaps and made his first touchdown catch.
Jelani Watkins, WR: Watkins played eight offensive snaps against Nicholls and one more against South Carolina.
Weston Davis, OT: Davis saw some snaps against Nicholls. He’s been working at right tackle.
Coen Echols, C: Echols played in mop up time versus Nicholls at center.
DEFENSE
Ahmad Breaux: Breaux has played in every game this year and started the game versus UCLA. His playing time is trending up with Jacobian Guillory out for the year. His snap counts have been 14-16-31-33. The Ruston product has made four tackles in his 94 snaps.
Dominick McKinley: McKinley saw his first collegiate action on Saturday against UCLA. Turf toe sidelined him the first three weeks. He was able to go 18 snaps and notched his first sack with the help of quarterback Ethan Garbers falling down.
Dashawn Spears: Spears has played in all four games. He was only in for two defensive snaps against USC, one was the clinching score. He eased in with 28 snaps versus Nicholls and a season-high played 44 snaps at South Carolina. Spears has made 10 tackles and broken up a pass.
Gabriel Reliford: Reliford has played defense versus Nicholls, South Carolina and UCLA. He’s logged 39 snaps and has made five tackles.
PJ Woodland, CB: Woodland has played in all four games and started against Nicholls. He filled up the stat sheet against Nicholls with four tackles, a tackle for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He was credited with a pass breakup against USC.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Aeron Burrell, K: Handling kickoff duties. He’s 17-for-18 on touchbacks. The one exception was the 15 yard penalty on Kyren Lacy against USC.
Dahvon Keys, LB: Keys has played on special teams the last three weeks. He’s on kick return, kick coverage and punt return.
Kolaj Cobbins, LB: Cobbins played on kick return versus USC. No defensive action yet.
Wallace Foster, CB: Foster played on kick coverage in the USC game. No defensive action.
Xavier Atkins, LB: Played on punt return against Nicholls and South Carolina. Kelly mentioned Atkins as a potential high-end reserve at linebacker with Harold Perkins out.
