True Freshman?

A true freshman plays his first year in college, during his academic freshman year.

There isn't a "fake" freshman. The other term is a redshirt freshman. That means he's still in his first year of eligibility, but in his second academic year. A player can be redshirted if he doesn't play a snap all year long. It basically allows them to practice and learn while retaining that year of eligibility. A player can also receive a medical redshirt to replace a year they've lost due to injury. The NCAA determines whether to grant a medical redshirt. A player can play, but if he's out for the year early enough in the season, he can still be granted the redshirt.