PFF ranks highest graded true freshmen through Week 3 of college football
Experience in college football has always been an important barometer for the success of a given team. But this year, there are plenty of true freshman who have made a significant impact on their respective teams in a major way.
From true freshman wide receivers who have earned crucial roles in offenses and quarterbacks who have seamlessly translated their game from the high school to the college level. It’s safe to say that the class of 2024 has already made their stamp on the current college football season.
With that in mind, Pro Football Focus revealed which true freshmen have been the highest-graded players through three weeks of the season. Check out PFF’s highest graded freshman top 10 below.
1. Ryan Wingo — 90.6
Texas wide receiver Ryan Wingo leads the pack with an impressive 90.6 player grade heading into Week 4. Fresh off of his most impressive performance of the season after catching three passes for 127 yards and a 75-yard touchdown against UTSA.
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Wingo is the Longhorns’ second-leading wide receiver in yardage. Showing off his impressive big-play ability early in his career with a team-leading 28.1 yards per reception.
2. Dylan Stewart — 85.9
South Carolina EDGE Dylan Stewart is the highest-rated defensive freshman in the country according to PFF. A 6-foot-6, 248-pound pass rusher who has already made some viral plays on social media and looks like a disruptor who will eventually play on Sundays.
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Head coach Shane Beamer even admitted that he didn’t expect Stewart to be this dominant so early in his career. Racking up 2.5 sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss, 3 QB hurries, 2 forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery through three weeks of the season.
3. Glenn Seabrooks III — 84.0
Another SEC defensive lineman who’s made an early impact is Vanderbilt‘s Glenn Seabrooks II. Who recently notched a career-high six tackles against Georgia State along with a tackle for loss.
Seabrooks’ performance last weekend versus the Panthers also earned him a spot on the PFF Week 3 SEC Team of the Week. Proving early in his career that he was a diamond in the rough after being rated a three-star prospect according to the On3 Industry Ranking.
4. Jacory Barney Jr. — 83.6
For what Jacory Barney lacks in size, he makes up for with his play on the field. As the 6-foot, 170-pound wide receiver for Nebraska has made the most of his early opportunities within the Cornhuskers’ offense this season.
Barney has caught 10 passes for 68 yards this season from another true freshman who may be on this list. Also showing off his speed and playmaking after scoring on a 10-yard reverse last weekend that represented the first touchdown of his college career.
5. Davion Gause — 82.6
Running back Omarion Hampton is at the core of North Carolina‘s offense and rushing attack. But true freshman Davion Gause has also made the most of his carriers and proven that he may be the next great Tar Heel rusher.
After not touching the football in Week 1, Gause rushed for 105 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries in Week 2 versus Charlotte after Hampton left the game with an injury. Following that with a 39-yard performance in Week 3 and now averaging 6.3 yards per carry this season.
6. Decker DeGraaf — 81.3
Washington tight end Decker DeGraaf hasn’t touched the ball that much this season. But when he does, good things happen for the Huskies offense.
DeGraaf has only caught four passes so far this season for Washington, but two were for touchdowns to go along with his 104 yards on the season. Not to mention the impact he’s made as a blocker along the line of scrimmage for the Huskies.
7. Colin Simmons — 80.6
Linebacker Colin Simmons is the second Longhorn to make PFF’s top 10. Doing so despite not making a single start for the Texas defense this season.
Even as a reserve linebacker, Simmons has made a major impact for the Texas defense early this year. Racking up six tackles and two tackles for loss in Week 3 and recording a sack in each of his last two games for the Longhorns.
8. Xavier Lucas — 79.9
Wisconsin freshman cornerback Xavier Lucas is the only defensive back in PFF’s top 10. One of the more challenging positions to translate instantly from the high school to college level.
Lucas made his presence felt early in the season in the Badgers’ first game of the season against Western Michigan. Using one hand to tip himself the ball for a toe-tap interception on the sideline in one of the best highlight plays of Week 1.
9. Jeremiah Smith — 79.8
Not many true freshmen were receiving more hype heading into the season than Ohio State wideout Jeremiah Smith. The top-ranked player for the 2024 class who has already lived up to that hype after the Buckeyes have played in just two games so far this season.
Smith has caught 11 passes for 211 yards and three touchdowns and done so while already looking like the best freshman wideout in program history. Which is saying a lot considering the recent pedigree at the position in Columbus.
10. Dylan Raiola — 77.6
True freshman phenom Dylan Raiola rounds out the top 10 as the only quarterback on the list. Making his 77.6 player grade from PFF even more impressive considering he touches the football in each and every play he’s in for.
Railoa has been extremely efficient this season completing 73.8% of his passes for 670 yards and five touchdowns with just one interception. All the while drawing comparisons to Patrick Mahomes and giving Cornhusker fans hope that he could take the program to new heights.