The tag of true freshman just doesn’t mean the same anymore. The days of frail, cagey high schoolers stepping into college are long gone. No more cautious, only courageous. Athletes now take to collegiate sports almost instantaneously with hardly any bedding-in required. The tide sure has turned. Speaking of the tide, one Alabama player is the epitome of this.

Ryan Williams has no peers. He is almost as unprecedented as they come. The wide receiver has enthralled the nation this season, as Bama (8-2) slowly but surely trudges toward yet another CFP. However, I say almost, because to undermine what Ohio State Buckeyes (9-1) route-runner Jeremiah Smith is doing would be a massive oversight. At 17 and 18 years old respectively, the duo are going from strength to strength each passing week. It seems like they may be getting their well-deserved flowers as well.

Both players have been named semi-finalists for the coveted Fred Biletnikoff Award. They shall compete for the honor of CFB’s best receiver against a plethora of other talent. The shortlist of 11 contenders was released in the early hours of Tuesday. With the fervor around Ryan and Jeremiah, each has a shot to become the first freshman to win the award in 17 years.

Eagle-eyed fans would’ve noticed some discrepancy in the aforementioned unprecedented nature of these two. That is because one receiver has walked this path before. Micheal Crabtree won the Biletnikoff as a freshman in 2007. To this day, he remains the only player to achieve this feat.

Texas Tech Red Raiders’ alum Crabtree was a phenom in his time. After being redshirted in his first year, he ended his freshman year with 1,962 receiving yards and 22 TDs. Crabtree broke numerous records on his way to his first of two Biletnikoff awards. That’s correct, he won again in the ‘08 season. These are big boots to fill for the tandem of Ryan and Jeremiah. They are up against more than just history.

Who are the primary contenders for the Fred Biletnikoff Award?

Ryan Williams and Jeremiah Smith are competing against both stats and storylines. On one hand, there are players like Nick Nash. The SJSU receiver leads the country in all 3 major facets statistically- receptions, yards, and touchdowns. He is one of the favorites based on his gaudy numbers.

Then, you have the likes of Travis Hunter. As if being odds-on to win the Heisman wasn’t enough. The buzz surrounding Hunter and his Colorado team may propel him into the conversation, despite his relatively lackluster numbers. Miami’s Xavier Restrepo, Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan, and Jack Bech of TCU are some of the other names in the hat.

Whether Micheal Crabtree’s historic 2007 season lives on or not, there is no denying his impact. He casts a shadow over freshman receivers to this day. Will either Ryan or Jeremiah break through? Watch this space. The successor to Marvin Harrison Jr. shall be unveiled in due course.