5 Freshmen Under the Most Pressure in the 2024 Season

Rank these freshman players 😎

GO!

▪️ Cam Coleman (Auburn)
▪️ Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State)
▪️ Ellis Robinson IV (Georgia) pic.twitter.com/0kmAgPOUXu

— BetUS College Football 🏈 (@BetUS_CFB) August 22, 2024

Frosh Expected to Make an Impact

College football rumors are always swirling when it comes to recruiting the game’s next big stars, and the competition is always hot and heavy between college scouts and recruiters to woo the most talented high school football players to their programs. Teams in the Power 5 conferences hold the most sway, with young kids looking to fulfill their dreams at the next level and one day hearing their names called at the NFL Draft.

Below are our top five incoming true freshmen who will likely be making college football news at some point this season.

5. Dylan Raiola, QB, Nebraska

Head coach Matt Rhule’s debut season in Husker territory was forgettable, as the program went 3-6 in conference play and 5-7 overall. But the team is undoubtedly looking to bolster its aerial attack, which means the kid who stunned the recruiting world by flipping from a commitment to powerhouse Georgia to Nebraska will likely get plenty of opportunity to showcase the passing abilities that saw him launch 88 touchdown passes as a high schooler.

Dylan Raiola has been named starting QB for Nebraska 🌽 pic.twitter.com/E7z4UvLKat

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) August 21, 2024

4. Micah Hudson, WR, Texas Tech

Following a middling 7-6 season, the Red Raiders will welcome the No. 4 ranked high school wideout in the nation, Micah Hudson, to the Big 12. Texas Tech saw a mass exodus of wide receivers leave the program through the transfer portal or graduation, and much will be asked of the 6-foot, 190-pound burner who amassed over 3,500 receiving yards and 57 receiving touchdowns during his high school career.

Your Day 2 Micah Hudson highlight. That is Joey McGuire’s voice you hear. https://t.co/qKfQddlm7p pic.twitter.com/fXSSds1iv5

— Nathan Giese (@NathanGiese) August 1, 2024

3. Cam Coleman, WR, Auburn

The Tigers’ aerial attack was sluggish, to say the least, last year as they wound up in the basement of the SEC in passing yards. However, landing the No. 2 high school wide receiver in the nation and the No. 5 prospect overall could be the cure that ails them. Cam Coleman is a 6’3” speed merchant who explodes off the line and has tremendous vertical reach, which could set Jordan-Hare Stadium ablaze if all goes according to plan.

On3 Preseason True Freshman All-American: Auburn WR Cam Coleman🐅https://t.co/ZD1sjFLukT pic.twitter.com/ovuCW2Sww5

— On3 (@On3sports) August 19, 2024

2. L.J. McCray, DL, Florida

Florida Gator fans are expecting big things from freshman L.J. McCray, and if he is as good as advertised, then he will be celebrating in opponents’ backfields throughout the season. At 6’6” and 275 pounds, McCray is a bona fide chaos-maker and was the No. 2 defensive lineman and 10th overall prospect in the nation coming out of the high school ranks. And as good as he is at pursuing the quarterback, he can be equally as effective at clogging up the middle on run plays.

Be great pic.twitter.com/uFZu3QBd4B

— LJ McCray (@LJMcCray11) August 18, 2024

1. Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State

It’s not a stretch to say that the expectations for Jeremiah Smith entering college rival those of Marvin Harrison Jr. entering the pro ranks as the No. 4 overall pick to the Arizona Cardinals, and who many believe is a generational talent. That kind of comparison may be unfair for a college freshman who has never taken a snap under the white-hot spotlight of Big Ten football, but that is precisely what Buckeye fans are anticipating from the nation’s top high school prospect.

Buckeye fans may just watch this on repeat forever. Julian Sayin to Jeremiah Smith, number four just needs one hand.

🎥 Ohio State Football pic.twitter.com/qBflUiM2QK

— Adam King (@AdamKing10TV) August 22, 2024