On3 2024 Preseason True Freshman All-American Team

On3 has assembled the comprehensive Preseason True Freshman All-American Team for 2024.

Led by On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power and On3’s Clark Brooks, the newcomers you should know for the 2024 season and beyond have been chosen. These talented prospects will have a chance to make an immediate impact this upcoming season.

Last year, players like Caleb Downs and Kevin Concepcion made names for themselves in their first crack at college football. Heading into 2024, there are several players with a shot at following in their footsteps.

Here is On3’s Preseason True Freshman All-American Team for the 2024 campaign. Check out the team below:

QB Dylan Raiola – Nebraska

“Dylan Raiola is the highest-rated quarterback to sign with Nebraska in some time, and it took very little time for him to nail down the starting spot in Lincoln. He brings an advanced level of physical development, passing polish, along with plus arm strength to the position and is a foundational piece in Matt Rhule’s effort to rebuild the Cornhuskers program. Raiola will be tested early with Nebraska playing a tough Big Ten schedule in the new-look conference. His ability to quickly pick up the scheme at Nebraska has him set up to see the field earlier than most of his peers.” — On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power

RB Jordan Lyle – Miami

“Jordan Lyle was On3’s No. 1-ranked running back in the 2024 cycle, and it sounds like he has made a smooth transition to the college level at Miami. We loved his overall skillset as a running back with his change of direction, outstanding vision, elite contact balance and just ability to run between the tackles. It sounds like he could perhaps be in contention as the No. 2 back early on at Miami. Jordan Lyle comes from a top talent-producing high school at St. Thomas Aquinas and has been well-developed, so it’s not surprising to learn that he has made an easy transition to the college game.” — On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power

TE Trey’Dez Green – LSU

“Trey’Dez Green is a big time physical talent at tight end, checking in at 6-foot-7 and 240 pounds. He’s a plus athlete and is a considerable mismatch in jump ball situations. Green is already getting in the mix in two tight end sets and it looks to be a great compliment to Mason Taylor at LSU. He’s also reportedly shown a very good physicality and encouraging signs as a blocker. Given his mismatch and how he fits within LSU personnel, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Green make some big time plays early on in his freshman season. Tight end is a position that’s not the easiest to make an impact as a true freshman, but based off the positive reviews of Green thus far, it looks like he could be poised to make an impact in Baton Rouge.” — On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power

WR Cam Coleman – Auburn

“Cam Coleman is one of the best receiver prospects of the internet recruiting era. Simply put, he’s a freaky talent at the position at a 6-foot-3.5 and around 190-200 pounds. Cam Coleman has a massive catch radius and is an elite athlete, I think he presents a big time jump ball target. From day one, we saw this on display in Auburn’s spring game where Coleman made several highlight catches and quite frankly looked like the best player on the field. Auburn has a major need at receiver and it’s expected for him to come in and be the top target for the Tigers’ offense on the opening week. I think Auburn hasn’t had a receiver talent like Coleman in recent memory and he is a key piece in Hugh Freeze’s offense and is the leader of what looks to be a very promising, freshman group, particularly at the skill positions on the Plains. It would not surprise me to see Cam Coleman make some extreme highlight reel catches this fall.” — On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power

WR Jeremiah Smith – Ohio State

“Jeremiah Smith is the highest-rated receiver prospect to come through high school football in close to a decade and has already made a ton of waves since arriving in Columbus. Smith looks to be a starter for the Buckeyes and I personally wouldn’t be surprised if he’s the number one receiver sooner rather than later. At 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, he looks like an NFL player right now. He has an advanced skill set with his ability to separate within his routes in, can out-physical corners in contested catch situations. He’s also a plus runner after the catch and really has no holes in his game. The buzz coming out of Ohio State seems to match what we thought of him being a generational type of receiver talent. It sounds like he’s done nothing to question his number one overall ranking coming out of high school.Comparing Jeremiah Smith to many of the first round receivers that Ohio has produced, he’s the most advanced perhaps naturally-gifted receiver that Ohio State has had under this prolific run that Brian Hartline and the staff have had at receiver. Ohio State has a bevy of receiver talent but I would expect over the course of the season Jeremiah Smith will show his talent and have a very good freshman year, spring-boarding into what should be a great career in Columbus.” — On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power

WR Ryan Williams – Alabama

“Despite being a full year younger than his peers and not being an early enrollee, Ryan Williams has garnered considerable buzz out of fall camp in Alabama. Williams was arguably the most explosive pass catcher in a historic year at the position in the 2024 cycle and it has already made a bunch of waves at Alabama. Williams has elite play speed, is able to get vertical and is outstanding with the ball in his hands. Yeah, it may take time for him to continue to develop physically, but he is so gifted and has the desired mentality to make an impact early. He is competitive and mature beyond his years. It’s not surprising to hear the positive acclaim coming out of Tuscaloosa, and I could certainly see him making a big impact for the Crimson Tide this fall.” — On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power

OL Kevin Heywood – Wisconsin

“Kevin Heywood has already made waves at Wisconsin and looks to be in contention to potentially play early for the Badgers. He was knocking on the door of five-star status in the 2024 cycle and has a massive frame and plus-athleticism. He has what you want as a tackle, physically, and plays with a nasty, physical edge. He fits what Wisconsin wants to do on the offensive line and it’s not surprising to hear that he has impressed early on.” — On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power

OL Jordan Seaton – Colorado

“Jordan Seaton has been primed to be an early starter at Colorado. Seaton was among the most polished offensive linemen in the 2024 cycle, and he came into a program that was in sore need of upgrading talent at the position. Seaton, I think, has true positional versatility. We really like his ability as a tackle but he certainly could play inside as well. His skillset, with his physical strength, his power at the point of attack and his technical polish and pass protection, should bode well to making an early transition to the college game. He was a massive get for Deion Sanders and is the biggest high school commitment from the Buffaloes’ 2024 class. We fully expect him to be on the field early on in his career in Boulder.” — On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power

OL Josiah Thompson – South Carolina

“It wouldn’t be surprising to see Josiah Thompson nail down the starting left tackle spot at South Carolina by week one. He was On3’s No. 1 offensive tackle in the 2024 cycle and comes in at a major position of need for the Gamecocks. Thompson reported to campus at around 6-foot-6, 265 pounds and is already up to 295, gaining a bunch of good weight during the offseason. He’s a plus athlete at the position and projects as a high-level pass protector once he gets his feet wet and gets acclimated to the speed of college football. There are very few offensive linemen who are opening-day starters, particularly within the power four, as true freshmen. Josiah Thompson looks to be one of the rare cases, given his talent and just the position of need at South Carolina. All factors are pointing towards him being the Gamecocks left tackle of the future.” — On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power

OL Cooper Cousins – Penn State

“Cooper Cousins was among the most ready-to-play offensive linemen that we were able to evaluate both on film and in-person in the 2024 cycle and is already running second team at Penn State. His plus size along the interior creates an advantage in the run game and he has the versatility to really play all five positions on the offensive line, along with his ability to snap as a high school center. It sounds like there’s been nothing but positive reviews for Cousins early on in State College, and were there to be an injury along the offensive line or a scenario where he would have to play, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him get in. Cousins, I think given his skill set, could be in a position to see time, whether in a rotational role or if he’s pressed into service early on as a true freshman.” — On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power

OL Anthonie Knapp – Notre Dame

“Anthonie Knapp is already running with the first team at left tackle for Notre Dame following Charles Jagusah’s season-ending injury in camp. This is a prospect that we loved at On3. He was a considerable outlier for On3 in the rankings process, finishing as a top-100 prospect, and is one who we simply loved on film. Anthonie Knapp is highly technical, he’s been coached very well at the high school level and had some of the best film that we saw, particularly senior film, at offensive line in the 2024 cycle. He has true positional versatility, he could play a number of spots on the offensive line.” — On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power

EDGE LJ McCray – Florida

“LJ McCray was one of the biggest senior risers in the 2024 cycle by way of a dominant final prep campaign. He is a top physical talent and has outstanding size at 6-foot-6, around 280 pounds. I’m sure he has continued to fill out at Florida. He has plus-length, he’s extremely strong and plays with a high-end effort level. His father is a college football coach and he just knows how to play with his athletic gifts and understanding of the game. It’s not a shock to learn that he is set to make an impact at Florida early on.” — On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power

EDGE Dylan Stewart – South Carolina

“Dylan Stewart may have been the most physically impressive edge prospect in the 2024 cycle and has garnered significant early buzz since enrolling at South Carolina in January. He looked outstanding in the Gamecock spring game and looks to be set to play a key role within their defense as a true freshman. Stewart is advanced physically, has outstanding size and has only continued to improve on that front since getting to Columbia. He is one who’s extremely powerful, athletic and should have no trouble translating his game to the college level. This is a first-off-the-bus type player and one who we feel shouldn’t have much trouble holding up against college offensive linemen.” — On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power

DL Justin Scott – Miami

“Justin Scott was an absolutely massive flip for Miami in the 2024 cycle and finished as the No. 2 defensive lineman for On3. He is extremely athletic and has an outstanding combination of movement, skills and size. He can really move at 300-plus pounds and has generated very positive buzz throughout the fall camp in Coral Gables.” — On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power

DL William Echoles – Ole Miss

“William Echoles shot up the rankings as a senior, showing dynamic ability on both sides of the ball. It was initially believed that he could make an impact early on as an interior offensive lineman at Ole Miss but has drawn rave reviews while working on the defensive line this fall for the Rebels. He’s extremely physical, has outstanding coordination overall, body awareness working on the inside and shows an advanced play strength and understanding of leverage for a freshman.” — On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power

LB Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa – Notre Dame

“Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa was the most developed linebacker that we evaluated in the 2024 cycle. We felt like he was a shoo-in to be a preseason True Freshman All-American given his level of development, his elite instincts particularly defending the run, and his understanding of defensive schemes. This is a guy who we feel like is a very likely defensive captain of the future at Notre Dame, and it sounds like he is set to make an early impact in South Bend.” — On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power

LB Sammy Brown – Clemson

“Sammy Brown was one of the top overall athletes in the 2024 cycle and was a huge recruiting win for Clemson out of the Peach State. I think an argument could have been made that Sammy Brown was the top non-quarterback high school football player in the country last fall with his ability to make plays on both sides of the ball as a linebacker and running back. He is a truly elite athlete at 6’2″, around 230 pounds. He can run from sideline to sideline, is very physical, and is the top linebacker to sign with the Tigers in some time. This is a type of player who has the potential to be a defensive fulcrum for Clemson and defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin’s scheme, and I think has a lot of potential as a blitzer and just physical presence on defense for the Tigers.” — On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power

DB Zabien Brown – Alabama

“Zabien Brown has generated a bunch of praise dating back to the spring at Alabama and looks to be in line to play a key role in the Crimson Tides’ new look secondary in Kalen DeBoer’s first year in Tuscaloosa. Zabien Brown was extremely polished and battle tested coming out of high school. He played top competition at Mater Dei and is technically advanced at this stage. We were able to see this on display at the All-American Bowl in January, where he was certainly one of the top corners on hand and really held up well against top receivers. He looks to have made a smooth transition as expected to Tuscaloosa and should be a key contributor in Alabama, within the Alabama secondary as a freshman.” — On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power

DB Boo Carter – Tennessee

“Simply put, Boo Carter is a baller. He is an outstanding football player and one who plays with just an aggressive mentality and has a penchant for making plays. He is a versatile defensive back who appears to be set to see significant snaps and perhaps a starting role in Tennessee’s defense this fall. He is capable of covering slide receivers, running backs, tight ends and is just an aggressive ball -hawking type of presence in the secondary. Boo Carter was a do-it-all player at the high school level and one who I think with continued focus on the defensive side of the ball has a lot of potential and looks to have parlayed a very strong senior season into a great start in Knoxville.” — On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power

DB Koi Perich – Minnesota

“Koi Perich was a massive in-state get for Minnesota as they held off a late push from Ohio State. He was on the cusp of five-star status in the 2024 cycle, and certainly has the ability to be an early contributor for the Golden Gophers. He is an outstanding athlete at safety and plays with an extremely aggressive physical mindset. He was a standout at the All -American Bowl, earning defensive MVP honors in that game. He has the ability to be a playmaker, both on defense and special teams. He got a later start as a June enrollee at Minnesota, but we would be surprised if he doesn’t make an impact over the balance of his true freshman season for the Golden Gophers.” — On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power

DB Aaron Flowers – Oregon

“Aaron Flowers is a safety that we were very high on at On3 in the 2024 cycle and has a well-rounded skill set with his physical ability, athleticism, cover skills and ability as a tackler. It sounds like he’s made a very positive impression early on in Eugene and looks to be one in contention for early playing time. It wouldn’t be shocking to see him work his way onto the field and continue to grow his role over the course of the season with the Ducks.” — On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power

ATH Terry Bussey – Texas A&M

“Terry Bussey was one of the top overall football players in the 2024 cycle and could have the rare distinction as one who see snaps on both sides of the ball as a true freshman. He was a standout quarterback and defensive back at Timpson High School and has the ability to play multiple positions on either side of the ball given A&M’s depth at running back. There’s a possibility to get touches in the backfield as a true freshman while also as a nickel corner type on defense. Terry Bussey is an elite athlete who can really run, has very good ball skills as a defensive back and just overall playmaking ability. We could see a rare scenario of him getting snaps on both sides of the ball as a true freshman and as one who was younger for the class and given his late birthday, he really could be a 2025 prospect.” — On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power