College basketball’s freshman class has been nothing short of electric this season, and one name continues to climb the national conversation: Darius Acuff Jr..
In their latest ranking of the top 10 men’s college basketball Freshman of the Year contenders, ESPN analysts Jeff Borzello and Myron Medcalf revealed a notable shake-up near the top, and Acuff was one of the biggest movers.
Darius Acuff Jr. Rises Up ESPN's Freshman of the Year Contender Rankings
The Arkansas point guard surged from No. 7 all the way to No. 3, leapfrogging Caleb Wilson, Kingston Flemings and Keaton Wagler in the process. It’s a jump that reflects what anyone watching closely has already seen: Acuff isn’t just producing, he’s accelerating.
Borzello didn’t mince words when explaining the move.
"“Acuff has been sensational lately, playing himself into the top 10 of NBA mock drafts. He's also making a genuine push for SEC Player of the Year honors, leading the league in both scoring and assists in conference games. He had his best performance of the season on Wednesday night, finishing with 49 points, five assists and just one turnover, while making six 3-pointers. In his previous six games entering the week, Acuff was averaging eye-popping numbers: 26.2 points, 6.5 assists, 1.7 turnovers — while shooting 50% from beyond the arc.”"Jeff Borzello
That 49-point explosion against Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball, where he added five assists, just one turnover and shot 6-for-10 from three, wasn’t just his best statistical outing of the season. It may have been the best individual performance by any player in the country this year.
And it didn’t come out of nowhere.
Acuff’s recent stretch shows a player not just riding momentum, but refining his game in real time. He’s scoring at all three levels, creating efficiently for teammates, and protecting the basketball with a poise that’s rare for a freshman, let alone one carrying this kind of offensive load.
National Player of the Year Up Next?
What makes this race especially intriguing is the broader context. While labeled as Freshman of the Year rankings, this year’s list feels closer to a National Player of the Year watchlist. The 2025-2026 freshman class has been that dominant.
Right now, Acuff trails only Cameron Boozer of Duke and AJ Dybantsa of BYU, two players widely viewed as future NBA stars.
That’s elite company.
For Acuff to climb even higher, he’ll likely need a spectacular finish to the season. Boozer and Dybantsa have been remarkably consistent, and both play on high-profile stages that amplify every performance.
But here’s the thing: Acuff’s trajectory is pointing straight up.
He’s not plateauing. He’s improving, tightening decision-making, expanding range, and elevating in the biggest moments. The numbers back it up. The eye test confirms it. And now, national analysts are echoing it.
The question isn’t whether Acuff belongs in the conversation anymore.
It’s how high he can go before the season ends.