Freshmen are joining top college programs and starting. Teams are seeing that well-coached high school players bring the knowledge and the understanding, but they are also bringing strength and athleticism.

Witness our first example.

Campbell Johnstone, Mount St. Mary's

Johnstone was a High School All-American and has brought size, power, and some additional open-field skills that are starting to make a difference for the Mount. He runs with purpose, and at 6-foot-3, 220 pounds he's a big train when he gets some momentum going. He can also create space for his teammates and distribute, and his kicking from the hand is an additional skill that causes defenses problems.

Ryan Nolan, Kutztown

Coming on as an impact sub for Kutztown, Nolan scored two tries for the Bears last week.

Daniel Trump, Colorado State

The former Fort Hunt (VA) star started his college career where he left off in high school, scoring a try for CSU last week and generally causing havoc around the field. Being a freshman with high-level high school experience, Trump was expected to know where to be and to have some skills, but it's his power in tight and his physicality that has been an eye-opener.

Griffin Maat, Baylor

Baylor won big over Texas State, and Maat's contribution was a big one as he roamed the field at flanker, playing strong defense and adding a key link in attacking opportunities.

Brady Erlich, Davenport

A South Africa product, Erlich is a supremely shifty runner who slotted right into the Panthers backline. "Everyone we recruited was recruited to help us now, and Brady has done that," Davenport head coach Harry King said.

LJ Koi-Larbi, Penn State

The former Gonzaga (DC) High School speedster is still a speedster, and he scored a try for Penn State as the Nittany Lions defeated St. Bonaventure.

Malik Wilbon, AIC

American International hammered UNH, and Wilkon scored three tries.