Freshmen Are Making Their Presence Felt Across HBCU Football

The 2026 HBCU football season continues to showcase a new generation of talent, and several true freshmen are already proving that they belong on the national radar.

From defensive playmakers making an immediate impact to young running backs carrying meaningful workloads, Pittman’s Pocket HBCU True Freshman All-American Weekly Watchlist highlights freshmen whose production, physical traits and on-field flashes deserve attention.

These players aren’t simply gaining experience — they are producing.

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🟣 SOUTHERN — CHRISTIAN DOYLE

LB | 6’2″ | 225 lbs

⚡ Freshman Defensive Standout

Southern true freshman linebacker Christian Doyle delivered one of the most impressive defensive performances of the weekend.

Doyle recorded:

• 🏈 10 Tackles
• 💥 1 Sack

At 6’2″, 225 pounds, Doyle already possesses the size and physical presence to make an impact inside the box. His ability to find the football and consistently contribute in the tackle department is exactly what stands out when evaluating young linebackers.

A double-digit tackle performance as a true freshman is a statement.

Pittman’s Pocket Watch: Doyle is quickly becoming one of the freshmen to monitor closely as the season develops.

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🟠 FAMU — JAI’DEN ROPER

LB | 6’1″ | 222 lbs

🔥 Freshman Leadership in Tallahassee

Florida A&M freshman linebacker Jai’den Roper continues to show why freshman production has become an important part of the Rattlers’ season.

The 6’1″, 222-pound linebacker turned in another high-level performance against Tennessee State, displaying the type of activity and physicality expected from an emerging defensive leader.

FAMU has faced its share of challenges, but young players such as Roper are providing valuable production and showing that the next generation of Rattlers is already stepping forward.

Pittman’s Pocket Watch: Roper’s continued development could make him one of the more important young defensive pieces to track throughout the remainder of the season.

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🔵 TENNESSEE STATE — BRENTON PAUL

RB | 5’9″ | 190 lbs

🚨 Production Is Already Showing

Tennessee State true freshman running back Brenton Paul is putting together an impressive early campaign.

Through the opening stretch of the season, Paul has already accumulated:

53 Carries | 165 Rushing Yards | 2 TDs

For a true freshman, earning meaningful touches this early is significant.

At 5’9″, 190 pounds, Paul brings a compact build to the Tigers’ backfield and has shown the ability to contribute consistently when his number is called.

Head coach Eddie George Barlow continues to see production from the young running back as Paul gains valuable experience.

Pittman’s Pocket Watch: The workload is worth monitoring. If his efficiency and touchdown production continue to rise, Paul could become one of Tennessee State’s most intriguing young offensive players.

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🐶 ALABAMA A&M — BYRON PERRILLIAT

RB | Freshman

💨 Bulldogs’ Young Back Making Noise

Alabama A&M freshman running back Byron Perrilliat is another young offensive weapon beginning to make his presence felt.

Perrilliat has shown flashes that have caught the attention of the Pittman’s Pocket evaluation team, particularly as Alabama A&M continues developing its young talent.

Freshman running backs often face the challenge of adjusting to the speed and physicality of college football. Perrilliat’s early production provides another example of the freshman class beginning to carve out meaningful roles.

Pittman’s Pocket Watch: Keep Perrilliat on the radar as his opportunities and workload develop.

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🐝 ALABAMA STATE — ZION CRAWFORD

DB | Freshman

🔒 HORNETS’ DEFENSIVE PLAYMAKER

Zion Crawford may be one of the most intriguing names on this week’s watchlist.

The Alabama State freshman has already recorded:

10 Tackles | 2 Passes Defended

And perhaps more importantly, Crawford has already demonstrated that he can compete against FBS-level opposition.

Crawford held his own against Troy, providing encouraging signs for a young defensive back facing a higher level of competition.

His game already shows flashes in coverage, along with the willingness to make plays against the run.

That’s the type of combination that gets a young defensive back noticed.

👀 HBCU TRUE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR WATCH

If Crawford continues producing at this pace, he could put himself firmly into the conversation for Pittman’s Pocket HBCU True Freshman of the Year Award.

The season is still developing, but the early indicators are there:

Production.
Coverage ability.
Physicality.
FBS competition.
Consistency.

That’s a strong foundation for an emerging freshman defensive prospect.

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⭐ PITTman’s Pocket Freshman Spotlight

This week’s group represents what makes the HBCU True Freshman All-American evaluation so important.

We’re watching more than statistics.

We’re watching:

📈 PRODUCTION

Are freshmen actually contributing on Saturdays?

🧠 FOOTBALL IQ

Are they consistently putting themselves in position to make plays?

💪 PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Can their bodies and playing styles translate as the season progresses?

🏈 COMPETITION

How do they perform when facing quality conference and FBS opposition?

⚡ IMPACT

Are they changing games or simply accumulating numbers?

The goal of the Pittman’s Pocket HBCU True Freshman All-American platform is to identify those players early — before the national spotlight catches up.

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🏆 WEEKLY WATCHLIST

Player	School	Position	Size	Early Impact
Christian Doyle	Southern	LB	6’2″, 225	10 tackles, 1 sack
Jai’den Roper	FAMU	LB	6’1″, 222	High-level performance vs. Tennessee State
Brenton Paul	Tennessee State	RB	5’9″, 190	53 carries, 165 yards, 2 TD
Byron Perrilliat	Alabama A&M	RB	—	Emerging freshman contributor
Zion Crawford	Alabama State	DB	—	10 tackles, 2 PDUs; strong showing vs. Troy

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🗣️ PITTMAN’S POCKET

The freshmen have arrived.

Christian Doyle is attacking the line of scrimmage.

Jai’den Roper is providing young leadership at FAMU.

Brenton Paul is already receiving meaningful carries at Tennessee State.

Byron Perrilliat is emerging in Alabama A&M’s backfield.

And Zion Crawford is showing that an HBCU freshman defensive back can step onto the field against FBS competition and compete.

The season is still young.

The watchlist is only getting started.

🏈 Pittman’s Pocket

HBCU True Freshman All-American

Evaluating the Next Generation Before the Nation Knows Their Names.