Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola and Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith among this season’s top freshmen – News-Herald

By STEVE MEGARGEE

Even with looser transfer restrictions that make it easier for programs to fill holes with upperclassmen, true freshmen still find a way to make an impact every season.

In seven of the past eight seasons, at least one freshman has been named to the Associated Press All-America team. The trend continued last year with Alabama safety Caleb Downs, who has since transferred to Ohio State, being named to the second team, while Purdue safety Dillon Thieneman was named to the third team.

During that span, Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver (2016), Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor (2017), Purdue all-purpose player Rondale Moore (2018) and LSU cornerback Derek Stingley (2019) were first-team selections. Georgia tight end Brock Bowers (2021) was selected to the second team and Syracuse safety Andre Cisco (2018) and LSU cornerback Eli Ricks (2020) were selected to the third team.

Below are some first-year players to keep an eye on this season. Many of them will be catching passes rather than defending them.

Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State wide receiver

Smith, the No. 1 recruit in his class in the country according to the 247Sports Composite, caused plenty of nervous moments at Ohio State last December when he announced he would sign with the Buckeyes but didn’t submit his letter of intent until hours later. He should be worth worrying about.

The 6-foot-3 Smith caught 88 passes for 1,376 yards and 19 touchdowns as a senior at Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade Madonna, including an 11-catch, 170-yard performance in a 56-0 victory in the state championship game. His arrival comes just as No. 2 Ohio State tries to replace Marvin Harrison Jr., who went to the Arizona Cardinals with the fourth overall pick in this year’s draft.

Georgia defensive back KJ Bolden and cornerback Ellis Robinson

Four freshman defensive backs have earned All-America honors in the past four years, including Downs and Thieneman last season. So it makes sense to include one or two defensive backs on this list.

Georgia’s No. 1-ranked defense will force the newcomers to earn every bit of playing time they get, but Bolden and Robinson have made a strong impression during training camp. Robinson was the nation’s No. 2 prospect in his class, according to the recruiting sites’ composite rankings compiled by 247Sports. Bolden, one of two former Buford (Georgia) High players on this list, was the nation’s No. 1 safety and No. 13 prospect. Bolden committed to Florida State before transferring to Georgia.

Auburn wide receiver Cam Coleman

Last year, Auburn’s passing attack was so anemic that no member of the team had more than 394 receiving yards. Coleman should bring immediate firepower to an offense that desperately needs it.

The 247Sports Composite ranked the 6-foot-3 wide receiver from Phenix City, Ala., as the nation’s No. 3 overall recruit in his class. Coleman enrolled at Auburn in time for spring practice and was the offensive MVP in the Tigers’ A-Day Game with four catches for 92 yards and a touchdown. Coleman had 61 receptions for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns last fall while helping Phenix City (Ala.) Central High win a state title.

Clemson wide receivers TJ Moore and Bryant Wesco

Clemson made six consecutive College Football Playoff appearances from 2015-20 (including championships in 2016 and 2018) in part because of a deep receiving corps that included future NFL players Mike Williams and Tee Higgins. Clemson’s offense took a step back in recent years in part because its receiving talent declined.

Moore and Wesco have a chance to change that for the Tigers, who are ranked 14th. The 6-foot-2 Wesco enrolled in January, excelled in the spring and has continued to impress in summer camp. Moore, who is 6-foot-3, has made several one-armed catches in summer camp. Moore was ranked 23rd and Wesco 48th in the 247Sports Composite.

Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola

According to the composite rankings of recruiting sites compiled by 247Sports, Raiola, ranked as the nation’s No. 3 quarterback and the No. 21 prospect in his class, verbally committed to Ohio State and Georgia before ultimately enrolling at Nebraska. Raiola is the nephew of Nebraska offensive line coach Donovan Raiola and the son of Dominic Raiola, an All-America center at Nebraska who played 14 seasons with the Detroit Lions.

Raiola is expected to open the season as the Cornhuskers’ starting quarterback. He competes with Heinrich Haarberg, who started eight games last year, and freshman Daniel Kaelin. The 6-foot-3 Raiola played high school football in Texas and Arizona before throwing 34 touchdown passes with just one interception in his senior season at Buford (Georgia) High.

Jordan Seaton, Colorado offensive lineman

Colorado finished last season on a six-game losing streak, largely due to its inability to protect star quarterback Shedeur Sanders. The Buffaloes allowed 56 sacks last year. The only Football Bowl Subdivision program that allowed more sacks was Old Dominion, with 62.

Colorado responded by signing Seaton, the nation’s No. 1 tackle and No. 13 overall prospect according to the 247Sports Composite. Colorado’s struggles on the offensive line give Seaton a clear opportunity to step into a prominent role.

AP College Football Writer Eric Olson and AP Sports Writers Pete Iacobelli and John Zenor contributed to this report.

Originally published: August 14, 2024 at 4:43 PM