College football changed. Fast. Between the transfer portal madness and NIL deals that look like professional contracts, being a true freshman used to mean sitting on the bench and learning the playbook. Not anymore. The freshman all american team 2024 features guys who didn't just play; they carried their programs. Honestly, if you weren't watching Ryan Williams or Dylan Raiola every Saturday, you were missing the actual future of the NFL unfolding in real-time.
It's wild.
We saw 17-year-olds staring down SEC defenses and winning. We saw offensive linemen who should be at prom holding their own against fifth-year seniors with "old man strength." The 2024 season wasn't just about the usual suspects like Georgia or Ohio State hoarding talent. It was about immediate impact.
The Names You Couldn't Ignore
If we’re talking about the freshman all american team 2024, the conversation starts and ends with Ryan Williams at Alabama. The kid reclassified. He skipped his senior year of high school and decided to just go be the best receiver in the toughest conference in America instead. It’s kinda ridiculous when you think about it. Against Georgia, he made a catch-and-run move that basically broke the internet and the Bulldogs' secondary simultaneously. He finished the regular season with over 700 yards and double-digit touchdowns, proving that age is just a number if you've got elite track speed and hands like glue.
Then there’s Dylan Raiola at Nebraska.
The Mahomes comparisons were everywhere—the hair, the number, the sidearm flicks. While Nebraska had their typical mid-season stumbles, Raiola gave that fan base something they haven't had in a decade: genuine hope. He wasn't perfect, but his arm talent is undeniable. He’s the cornerstone of what Matt Rhule is trying to build in Lincoln.
Why the 2024 Class Felt Different
Usually, you expect freshmen to hit a wall in November. Their bodies aren't used to the grind. But the 2024 group seemed built differently. Maybe it's the advanced training they get in high school now, or maybe it's just a statistical anomaly. Whatever it is, the consistency was the story.
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Look at someone like Jeremiah Smith at Ohio State. Most "experts" said he was the best receiver prospect in a generation. Usually, those guys take a few weeks to adjust to the speed of the Big Ten. Smith? He was scoring one-handed touchdowns in week one. He’s a physical freak who looks like an NFL veteran already. Brian Hartline has coached some monsters at OSU—Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Marvin Harrison Jr.—and even he seems a bit stunned by what Smith can do.
Defensive Anchors and the Trenches
Defense is harder for freshmen. It just is. You have to know the schemes, the checks, and you have to be able to take a literal beating from 320-pound guards. That’s why Josiah Trotter at West Virginia caught so many people off guard. The linebacker play was instinctive. It’s in the bloodlines, obviously, but seeing him navigate traffic and fill gaps like a senior was impressive.
Over in the SEC, Dylan Stewart at South Carolina was a problem. A major problem.
He’s an edge rusher who moves like a basketball player. His first step is terrifying. There were moments this season where SEC tackles—guys who will be drafted in the first three rounds—simply couldn't touch him. He finished with high-pressure rates that rivaled some of the best defensive ends in the country, regardless of age.
The Under-the-Radar Stars
Everyone talks about the five-stars, but the freshman all american team 2024 isn't just a list of recruiting rankings. It’s about production.
- Koi Perich (Minnesota): The kid is a ball hawk. He was making game-changing interceptions and returning punts like he’d been doing it for years.
- Jordan Seaton (Colorado): Protecting Shedeur Sanders is a high-pressure job. Seaton stepped into a chaotic environment and proved he’s a foundational tackle.
- Nick Marsh (Michigan State): He had that massive game against Maryland and showed he can be a true WR1 in the new-look Spartans offense.
It’s not just about the stats, though. It’s about the "eye test." You watch these guys and you don't see the hesitation that usually plagues young players. They play fast because they’ve been prepared for this stage since they were thirteen.
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The Transfer Portal’s Role in Freshman Success
You might think the portal would hurt freshmen. You’d think coaches would just buy a veteran instead of playing a kid. Ironically, it’s had the opposite effect for the elite ones. Because so many veterans are moving around, roster gaps open up. If a freshman is better than a 22-year-old transfer, coaches in 2024 are much more willing to pull the trigger and start the youngster. They don't have time to wait.
If you don't play your talented freshmen, they’ll just leave. NIL has created a "play me or lose me" culture.
That pressure has forced coaches to accelerate development. We’re seeing more "true" freshmen on the field than ever before. The freshman all american team 2024 reflects a sport that has abandoned the "redshirt and wait" philosophy. If you’re good enough, you’re old enough. Period.
Evaluating the Impact of the 2024 Class
When we look back at this specific group of players in three years, we’ll probably see a record number of first-round picks. The depth at wide receiver and edge rusher specifically is staggering.
But it’s not all sunshine and highlight reels.
The downside of this immediate stardom is the burnout factor. We’ve seen players start strong and then struggle with the mental weight of being "the guy" as a teenager. The 2024 All-Americans seem to have handled it well, but the spotlight is hotter than it’s ever been. Social media, Madden ratings, jersey sales—it’s a lot for an 18-year-old.
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Real-World Takeaways for the Next Season
If you're a fan trying to figure out who the next breakout stars are, look at the snap counts. The freshman all american team 2024 members all had one thing in common: they earned the trust of their coaching staff by week three.
Don't just look at the recruiting stars. Look at the early enrollees. Most of the guys on this list were on campus in January, went through spring ball, and learned the system before the summer heat hit. That extra six months is the difference between starting and sitting.
Also, keep an eye on the "positionless" players. The 2024 class featured a lot of guys who can move around. Safeties who can play nickel, receivers who can take snaps in the backfield, and defensive ends who can drop into coverage. The versatility of this freshman group is what makes them so valuable to modern coordinators who want to disguise everything.
Actionable Insights for College Football Fans
To stay ahead of the curve on who will dominate the 2025 season based on the 2024 freshman performances, focus on these three things:
- Check the Strength and Conditioning Progress: Watch for the guys on the 2024 All-American lists who "bulk up" this offseason. A guy like Dylan Stewart with an extra 15 pounds of muscle is a terrifying prospect for 2025.
- Follow the Coaching Stability: Freshmen often struggle when their position coach leaves. If the guys who made the 2024 team keep their mentors, expect a massive "sophomore jump."
- Monitor the Target Share: For receivers like Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams, look at how many times they are targeted in high-leverage situations (3rd down, red zone). That tells you more about their value than total yardage.
The freshman all american team 2024 isn't just a list for a trophy case. It’s a preview of the 2027 NFL Draft. These players have already proven they can handle the pressure, the physicality, and the complexity of high-level football. They are the new face of the sport, and honestly, the game is more exciting because of them.