For all the hoopla around the transfer portal, traditional recruiting remains the biggest key to winning national championships.
And while it can often take two or more years for teams to see the full benefit of a single recruiting class, several Bowl Subdivision programs are set for an immediate boost from prospects signed last winter. That includes some of the strongest contenders for the College Football Playoff, including preseason Big Ten co-favorite Ohio State and SEC favorite Georgia.
There are also teams planning for newcomers to take on major roles on the heels of losing seasons, including Nebraska, Colorado and South Carolina. These true freshmen are set to make the biggest impacts on the 2024 season:
WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
The top skill player in this year’s cycle, Smith has already solidified a role in the Buckeyes’ receiver rotation. Through several months, the big question around the five-star rookie is: Just how good can he be? Down the line, Smith could develop into the next great Ohio State receiver. For 2024, look for him to play a complementary role to Emeka Egbuka and help a new starting quarterback adjust to the job. But there should be some notable highlights.
QB Dylan Raiola, Nebraska
Matt Rhule has yet to officially name Raiola as the Cornhuskers’ starter, though it’s just a matter of time. Arriving on campus in the spring has helped the Nebraska legacy learn the system and establish himself as one of the most intriguing young players in college football. The longtime Georgia verbal commitment chose the Cornhuskers in part for the chance to be in the lineup from the very start; every expectation is that he’ll do just that. It’s possible the wins will follow and a bowl berth will be in their future.
CB Ellis Robinson IV, Georgia
It’s not easy to break into Georgia’s defensive back rotation as a freshman but Robinson has a shot at earning major snaps for the preseason title favorites. The Bulldogs bring back Daylen Everette as one starting cornerback as younger contributors Daniel Harris and Julian Humphrey contend for the second starting job, giving the five-star out of IMG Academy an opportunity to at least crack the two-deep early in his career.
WR Cam Coleman, Auburn
Coleman is one of two five-star freshmen receivers joining this year’s Iron Bowl, along with Alabama’s Ryan Williams. But Williams is a wild card because of the fact he was not an early enrollee, making it harder to predict whether he’ll be ready to contribute for new coach Kalen DeBoer. Coleman could change the complexion of Auburn’s receiver room as a freshman and will definitely bring a big spark to a passing game that was putrid a year ago.
P Rhys Dakin, Iowa
With punting maestro Tory Taylor off to the NFL, Iowa will turn this all-important position over to another Australian important in Dakin, who arrives in the Big Ten via Melbourne. The track record of imported punters is very strong: Taylor was the second Australian in a row to win the Ray Guy Award as the nation’s best at the position when he did so last year, following Rutgers’ Adam Korsak, and Australians took home the award for five years in a row from 2013-17.
DE Williams Nwaneri, Missouri
Missouri seems locked in with starting ends Johnny Walker Jr., the defensive MVP of the Cotton Bowl win against Ohio State, and Michigan State transfer Zion Young. There’s also some depth in holdover Joe Moore III and Georgia transfer Darris Smith. That there are veteran bodies atop the depth chart should limit the role for Nwaneri, a five-star prospect and one of the top signees in program history. But his athleticism should carve out some part in the Tigers’ rotation for the top defensive prospect in last year’s recruiting cycle.
LB Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Notre Dame
After Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said on signing day that Viliamu-Asa was ready to contribute from the start. A very impressive spring ensured that would be the case. With fall camp around the corner, the four-star signee from powerhouse St. John’s Bosco in Bellflower, California, is in position to claim one of the top backup roles at linebacker, likely behind Drayk Bowen in the middle.
OT Jordan Seaton, Colorado
As expected, Seaton is on track to man Shedeur Sanders’ blind side as a true freshman. While it’s typically not a good thing to toss a rookie into the fire at left tackle, Seaton will almost certainly be an improvement: Colorado gave up 56 sacks last year, second-most in the FBS. Keeping Sanders clean will be one of the deciding factors in whether or not the Buffaloes take a step forward in 2024 and contend in the new-look Big 12.
EDGE Dylan Stewart, South Carolina
Even the most athletically gifted edge players need time to develop, especially in the SEC. But Stewart seems ready to capitalize on the opportunity for early playing time at South Carolina as a situational rusher, something the Gamecocks desperately need after tying Vanderbilt for last in the conference in 2023 with just 21 sacks.
WR Micah Hudson, Texas Tech
That Hudson was slowed in the spring as he recovered from knee surgery makes it hard to say exactly what role he’ll play for Texas Tech as a freshman — whether he’ll see more spans as an inside receiver or on the outside, for example. But to be clear: Hudson is going to play a ton for the Red Raiders after choosing Tech over offers from every major program in the FBS. He has a chance to be a “generational player,’ as coach Joey McGuire said at Big 12 media days.
