Re-ranking the 5-stars from the 2024 cycle
To this point in the college football season, we’ve seen several true freshmen break out as legitimate game-changing prospects in college football, with many more making outsized impacts for their respective teams. With that in mind, we thought it would be a fun exercise to re-rank the 2024 five-stars given what we’ve seen to this point in their true freshman season.
It’s worth noting that this is a moving target unlike final high school rankings. There is a very uneven sample size for the group, as some have had the opportunity to play earlier than others. There is also the possibility that any early true freshman ranking could favor those who came into college football with a higher degree of development. High school rankings are a projection towards the NFL Draft, which is 3.5 to 5 years away at the time of the final release. Any type of cycle ranking should and will should remain very fluid up until this group starts to get drafted in 2.5 years.
With those important caveats out of the way, here’s our re-ranking of the 2024 five-stars as things stand midway through their first season of college football.
Top 32 midway through true freshman season
1. Dylan Stewart, South Carolina – (On300 No. 12)
Dylan Stewart looks like the best true freshman EDGE player and long-term prospect to come through college football in years. The 6-foot-5, 260-pounder is already one of the best pass rushers and NFL Draft prospects in college football. That level of early dominance at a premium position gives him the highest odds of being a top draft pick as things stand today.
2. WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State – (On300 No. 1)
We billed Jeremiah Smith as the best wide receiver prospect to come out of high school football in 15 years. So far, the 6-foot-3, 220-pounder has lived up to the hype with his combination of size, athleticism and technical ability.
3. QB DJ Lagway, Florida – (On300 No. 2)
Though he’s only started a handful of games, no quarterback from the 2024 cycle has shown a higher ceiling than DJ Lagway. That jives with what we saw from the former Five-Star Plus+ prospect during his prolific senior season at Willis (Texas) High.
4. EDGE Colin Simmons, Texas – (On300 No. 28)
Colin Simmons is the clear No. 2 pass rusher among true freshmen this season and would hold the top spot in most years. He’s already the Longhorns’ best threat off the edge with his first-step quickness and bend.
5. WR Ryan Williams, Alabama – (On300 No. 8)
There may not be a more electric skill player in the country than Ryan Williams. The 6-foot, 175-pounder is dynamic in every phase and defies the norms of a 17 year-old who reclassified.
6. WR Cam Coleman, Auburn – (On300 No. 3)
Cam Coleman has battled injuries and hasn’t benefitted from spotty quarterback play, but the tantalizing flashes he’s shown has us holding onto his stock. The combination of size and athleticism remains truly elite.
7. CB Ellis Robinson IV, Georgia – (On300 No. 4)
The consensus top corner prospect in the cycle, Ellis Robinson IV has played in a reserve role behind older players for the Bulldogs this season. With that said, the feeling remains that he has a very bright future in Athens.
8. OT Jordan Seaton, Colorado – (On300 No. 22)
Jordan Seaton has played the best of true freshmen offensive tackles this season, playing well in pass protection while protecting Shedeur Sanders‘ blindside.
9. OT Josiah Thompson, South Carolina – (On300 No. 16)
We considered Josiah Thompson to be a very high upside, developmental offensive tackle prospect, who could use a year to develop under ideal conditions. He enrolled at around 260 pounds, quickly added weight and has started every game at left tackle for the Gamecocks.
10. QB Julian Sayin, Ohio State – (On300 No. 5)
Julian Sayin finished as the No. 2 quarterback in the 2024 cycle and is the likely favorite to win Ohio State’s starting job next season.
11. WR TJ Moore, Clemson – (On300 No. 13)
TJ Moore didn’t receive a ton of off-season hype due to being a summer enrollee, but the former five-star has gotten up to speed and has been Clemson’s leading receiver in the past two games. As a high school prospect, his technical skill was surpassed only by Jeremah Smith.
12. EDGE Jordan Ross, Tennessee – (On300 No. 7)
A hyper-athletic pass rusher with a high developmental upside, we could see Jordan Ross take off next season, filling the shoes of projected first-rounder James Pearce.
13. DL LJ McCray, Florida – (On300 No. 6)
LJ McCray was a big riser as high school prospect after a dominant senior season. He’s played in seven games for the Gators and should see his impact expand as he continues to develop.
14. CB Zabien Brown, Alabama – (On300 No. 46)
The Crimson Tide have played several true freshmen in the secondary and Zabien Brown has been the best of the bunch. He came into college with a high level of cover polish to go with ball skills and instincts.
15. DL Justin Scott, Miami – (On300 No. 11)
Justin Scott has seen snaps in several games this season and should be primed to take off in his second year in Coral Gables.
16. OT Weston Davis, LSU – (On300 No. 23)
Since the final 2024 rankings, Weston Davis has continued to validate his five-star status with On3. He showed off his elite athleticism on the basketball court as a senior and has impressed since enrolling at LSU, where he’s working as the third offensive tackle behind two likely high draft picks.
17. S Koi Perich, Minnesota – (On300 No. 35)
Few true freshmen have had a better past month than Koi Perich. He already has five interceptions, despite only seeing significant playing time over the past four games after being a summer enrollee.
18. LB Chris Cole, Georgia – (On300 No. 39)
Chris Cole‘s physical gifts were well known as a high school prospect, but he’s impressed with his ability to quickly adapt to the college game. He could be the next top talent at linebacker in Athens.
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19. QB CJ Bailey, NC State – (On300 NR 3-star)
If the season were to end today, CJ Bailey would be the quarterback on the True Freshman All-American Team. Bailey has taken off since assuming the starting role in Raleigh and has impressed with his improved accuracy and pocket awareness.
20. OT Guerby Lambert, Notre Dame – (On300 No. 18)
A high upside offensive tackle who was a summer enrollee, Guerby Lambert has seen time a few games as a true freshman. The former five-star will compete for a spot on Notre Dame’s talented offensive line next season.
21. S KJ Bolden, Georgia – (On300 No. 25)
KJ Bolden got his first start last week and played well in Georgia’s win over Florida. The former Five-Star Plus+ prospect is an athletic, active defender.
22. WR Ryan Wingo, Texas – (On300 No. 92)
Ryan Wingo may be overshadowed by some of the other true freshman wide receivers, but he’s made the most of relatively limited opportunities, showing strong hands and dynamic athleticism.
23. IOL Cooper Cousins, Penn State – (On300 No. 27)
Cooper Cousins finished as On3’s No. 1 interior offensive line prospect in the 2024 cycle and has received rave reviews since enrolling at Penn State, where he projects as a multi-year starter.
24. IOL Anthonie Knapp, Notre Dame – (On300 No. 97)
A former On3 blue-chip outlier, Anthonie Knapp surprisingly won the starting left tackle job at Notre Dame, following an injury to Charles Jagusah in fall camp. Knapp has fared well while playing out of position at left tackle.
25. WR Nick Marsh, Michigan State – (On300 NR 4-star)
Nick Marsh has made some big plays for Michigan State, playing a huge role in two Big Ten wins. He’s the Spartans’ leading receiver as a true freshman and played most of the season as a 17 year-old.
26. EDGE Marquise Lightfoot, Miami – (On300 No. 10)
A high upside pass rusher, Marquise Lightfoot will benefit from a full off-season in Miami’s strength program as he continues to add size.
27. WR Bryant Wesco, Clemson – (On300 No. 80)
Bryant Wesco has been an explosive big play threat as a downfield target for Clemson.
28. CB OJ Frederique, Miami – (On300 NR 3-star)
OJ Frederique has been a big, pleasant surprise for Miami. He’s one of the best true freshman cornerbacks to this point in the season, playing at a high level for the nation’s No. 4 team.
29. RB Caden Durham, LSU – (On300 No. 116)
Caden Durham‘s top-end speed was well-known, but the LSU true freshman has showed contact balance and vision in addition to the big-play ability. Louisville’s Isaac Brown and Georgia’s Nate Frazier are two other standout rushers.
30. CB Jaylen Mbakwe, Alabama – (On300 No. 31)
Jaylen Mbakwe has had promising moments while playing meaningful snaps in Alabama’s secondary. The early impact is impressive considering he spent much of his high school career on offense.
31. TE Trey’Dez Green, LSU – (On300 No. 32)
Tight end is a position where it’s hard to make an impact as a true freshman. Trey’Dez Green‘s huge catch radius has earned him a role in the red zone for LSU, where he’s caught two touchdowns.
32. LB Sammy Brown, Clemson – (On300 No. 19)
One of the top two-way players in high school football, Sammy Brown has made an impact on Clemson’s defense as a true freshman, using his athleticism to make plays behind the line of scrimmage.