Freshman-15: Weeks 1 & 2 (2024)
A weekly spotlight on 15 freshmen across the country who had standout performances. All stats are courtesy of PFF Premium Stats. (2024 season)
Ahmad Hardy
Snaps:
RB - 45
Stats:
Rushing - 33 carries, 161 yards, 4.9 YPA, 1 TD, forced 9 missed tackles, 153 yards after contact
Receiving - 1 target, 0 catches
The Warhawks have an entire new backfield to go along with OU transfer QB General Booty. Junior Taven Curry arrived from UAB, junior JUCO transfer James Jones has already proved himself capable of handling a high touch count, but true freshman Ahmad Hardy has established himself as the lead back in a run-heavy offense. Hardy topped the 100 yard mark in week 1 against Jackson State and logged a touchdown against both the Tigers and UAB the following week. Hardy's next matchup comes against the Texas Longhorns in Austin on Saturday, Sept. 21.
Antwan Raymond
Snaps:
RB - 32
Stats:
Rushing - 23 carries, 126 yards, 5.5 YPA, 2 TDs, 10 missed tackles forced, 98 yards after contact
Receiving - 0 targets, 0 catches
Knights typically vanquish monsters but the Scarlet Knights have a two headed monster of their own in the backfield. Star running back Kyle Monangai is one of the best backs in the nation, but Raymond has shown that he is a force to be reckoned with on his own. The Canadian averaged over 8 YPA against Howard in week 1, before seeing both his snaps and carries triple the following week against Akron. Raymond has scored in both outings and displayed his powerful running style when doing so. While the freshman revelation may not diminish the role of Monangai, the Scarlet Knights can rest assured that their backfield is in good hands after their renowned lead back presumably departs for the NFL.
Bryant Wesco Jr.
Snaps:
Slot - 2
Wide Out - 26
Stats:
Receiving - 4 targets, 4 catches, 136 yards, 34.0 YPC, 1 TD, 0 drops
Wesco's moment came against App State when he opened the scoring on a 76 yard touchdown in what would be a blowout win for the Tigers. He logged two more catches against the Mountaineers totaling 131 yards on the day. Wesco couldn't get much going against Georgia in week 1, but with the departure of Beaux Collins to Notre Dame and 2023 receiving leader WR Tyler Brown struggling in the current campaign, a lot could be asked of - and accomplished - by Wesco going forward.
Cam Coleman
Snaps:
Slot - 5
Wide Out - 68
Stats:
Receiving - 8 targets, 4 catches, 115 yards, 28.8 YPC, 1 TD, 1 drop
Coleman arrived at Auburn along with fellow freshman Perry Thompson with high expectations to produce immediately, given the state of the WR room. Coleman's career started off with a bang as his first collegiate catch resulted in a touchdown. While he struggled to consistently bring in his targets against a Power 4 opponent in Cal, Coleman showed glimpses of his potential and ability in the loss. The talent is clearly there for Coleman, but the question moving forward is if Auburn will be able to move the ball through the air consistently once they reach conference play. Much of Coleman's production this year hinges on the questioned ability of QB Payton Thorne, who threw four INTs against the Golden Bears, two of which were intended for Coleman.
Colin Simmons
Snaps:
EDGE - 26
Box - 6
Special Teams - 1
Stats:
Defense - 3 tackles, 1 sack, 7 pressures, 6 hurries Simmons arrived in Austin as a five star recruit from Texas high school power Duncanville and has made an immediate impact off the edge. Simmons earned rotational snaps along a talented defensive front and has made the most of his snaps. He pops off the screen when he is on the field with his speed and bend off the edge. Watch his tape against Michigan, where he logged 6 pressures and a sack in 32 snaps. He wears the number 11 like Micah Parsons, and he looks like the Cowboys star on the field as well, in play and stature, as both measure in at 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds. Simmons willl be tested throughout the year against SEC offensive lines, but look for him to make the most of his time on the field.
DJ Lagway
Snaps:
QB - 72
Stats:
Passing - 21/32, 65.6%, 487 yards, 15.2 YPA, 3 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing - 9 attempts, 36 yards, 4.0 YPA, 0 TDs
Lagway arrived in Gainesville as the reigning Gatorade National Football Player of the Year after a phenomenal senior campaign at Willis High School. Despite the pedigree coming out of high school, Lagway couldn't beat out incumbent starter Graham Mertz for the starting job. In a thrashing against the in-state rival Miami Hurricanes, Lagway stepped in for a concussed Mertz, throwing an INT in a game that was already decided. Mertz was the next week against Samford, and Lagway got the nod under center. In his first career start, Lagway threw for 456 yards and tossed 3 touchdowns en route to a blowout win. While it was a stellar first start, it came against a poor FCS side, and Mertz has cleared concussion protocol, making Lagway's path to becoming the starter murky. Head coach Billy Napier has said both will play moving forward, and the Gators host the Texas A&M Aggies this weekend, so Lagway will have chances to shine.
Dylan Raiola
Snaps:
QB - 135
Wide Out - 1
Stats:
Passing - 42/58, 72.4%, 423 yards, 7.3 YPA, 3 TDs, 0 INTs
Rushing - 4 carriers, 5 yards, 1.3 YPA, 0 TDs
You have probably heard of Raiola by now, whether it was due to his not-so-subtle Mahomes impression, apparent issues sticking to a school (high school or college commitment), or how many times he was touched by Colorado, but one thing is for certain: the kid can play. Mahomes comparisons aside, the first year signal caller looks the part of a Power 4 starter and has already filled out his frame - he was measured in at 6-foot-3, 230 pounds. He has good mechanics and a swagger about him that help make him capable of success early in his career. While he hasn't had a massive game yet, he has shown he can protect the football with only 1 turnover worthy play, and has been extremely accurate, two qualities you rarely find from true freshman quarterbacks. Raiola is a key cog in the revival of blue-blood Nebraska's football program, and with Matt Rhule at the helm, Raiola is primed for success for the foreseeable future.
Dylan Stewart
Snaps:
EDGE - 61
Stats:
Defense - 4 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 9 pressures, 3 hits, 3 hurries, 2 forced fumbles
Stewart's tape against Old Dominion might go down as one of the best ever for a freshman pass rusher. The 6-foot-6 248-pound monster off the edge stood out on film as Stewart recorded 6 pressures, 2.5 sacks, 2 hits, a hurry and 2 forced fumbles against the Monarchs in what was a low-scoring affair. Stewart's gaudy stat line was followed up by a solid outing against SEC foe South Carolina, and while he never hit home, he put first time Wildcat starter Brock Vandagriff under some heat in an upset win. Stewart could very well end up as one of the best pass rushers in the country if he builds upon an impressive start to his career - whether that is in Columbia, or somewhere else.
Jeremiah Smith
Snaps:
Slot - 12
Wide Out - 60
Punt Return - 1
Stats:
Receiving - 14 targets, 11 catches, 211 yards, 19.2 YPC, 3 TDs, 1 drop
First it was Julio Jones. Then it was Dorial Green-Beckham. And after 12 years, Jeremiah Smith has taken the mantle of being the highest rated wide receiver prospect coming out of high school. Julio flourished, and say what you want about DGB, but for Smith high expectations have been placed on the playmaker from Chaminade-Madonna. Marvin Harrison Jr. and Julian Fleming depart, leaving numerous targets up for grabs in a position room full of former five-star prospects. So far, Smith is pacing all Buckeye pass catchers in each major statistic and has quickly shown that his rating coming out of high school was warranted. Expect Smith to continue to dominate, as this is only the dawn of this star's career.
Kelvin Hill
Snaps:
Slot - 1
Corner - 87
Free Safety - 3
Special Teams - 5
Stats:
Defense - 6 tackles, 0 missed tackles, 3 targets, 0 catches allowed, 1 PBU, 0 penalties
Hill may be a freshman at a smaller school, but so far he has shut down opposing receivers on the boundary. Granted, this UAB defense has seen 89 rush attempts against only 37 pass attempts, so the sample size may be smaller compared to what other defenses have faced, but Hill has more than held his own. From the snaps of Hill that I have watched, he stuck to his man like glue from the snap. He has mostly lined up at boundary corner, and of the three targets going his way, he forced two to be incompletions, with the other target being an errant throw. Hill's lone pass breakup could've been an interception but he could not bring the ball in. Hill will be tested more as the year goes on, but the young corner has been lockdown to open the 2024 campaign.
Nick Marsh
Snaps:
Slot - 1
Wide Out - 73
Stats:
Receiving - 12 targets, 9 catches, 205 yards, 22.8 YPC, 1 TD, 1 drop
Much is new in East Lansing, as new head man Jonathan Smith brought with him rising star QB Aidan Chiles along with hope and focus for a program riddled with shortcomings and distractions. Through the coaching change, Marsh, a local recruit, stuck with his commitment to the Spartans, and in his first Big10 action, the dangerous playmaker made his mark with 8 catches for 194 yards and a touchdown in a back and forth game against the Maryland Terrapins. Marsh looked excellent at gaining separation against man coverage early on, and was able to get open deep by splitting Maryland's safety tandem. Later in the game, against man coverage Marsh was given a lot of cushion due to the threat he posed as a deep threat and route runner. It was quite the showing for Marsh, as he and redshirt freshman QB Chiles have East Lansing buzzing with excitement and the rest of the Big10 on watch for the dangerous duo.
Ryan Williams
Snaps:
Slot - 5
Wide Out - 77
Stats:
Receiving - 8 targets, 6 catches, 207 yards, 34.5 YPC, 3 TDs, 0 drops
Friendly reminder: Williams is 17 years old and should be playing high school ball right now, but the local Saraland product reclassified and wound up finishing as the 8th ranked recruit in the 2024 cycle. The high school star started his collegiate career with a bang, bringing in both of his targets for 139 yards, scoring on both plays. He then hauled in 4 passes for 68 yards and a touchdown as an encore against USF and has now scored on half of his receptions this season. The freshman phenom leads all Bama receivers in the major stat categories and only trails Washington transfer WR Germie Bernard in snaps. Williams faces a stout Wisconsin secondary this coming week but has already emerged as Heisman favorite Jalen Milroe's favorite target and should be the next great wide receiver to don the crimson and white.
Ryan Wingo
Snaps:
Slot - 12
Wide Out - 33
Stats:
Receiving - 4 targets, 4 catches, 70 yards, 17.5 YPC, 0 TDs, 0 drops Rushing - 1 carry, 55 yards, 0 TDs, forced 0 missed tackles, 4 yards after contact
Wingo may not have the most impressive numbers compared to a few fellow first year receivers, but he has excelled when given the opportunity. The physical freshman reeled in a brace of receptions from both starting QB Quinn Ewers and backup QB Arch Manning, displaying his RAC ability and didn't shy away from contact. Over half his yards against Colorado State came after the catch and his size sets him apart from the other receivers in Austin. His lone touch in the Longhorns' trouncing of Michigan came in the form of a jet sweep, where Wingo took it a few yards shy of the goal line, getting tracked down by Will Johnson. Wingo may not be high on the pecking order in a loaded receiver room, but he has shown big-play ability and is expected to contribute when he does see the field.
Sire Gaines
Snaps:
RB - 36
Slot - 1
Special Teams - 7
Stats:
Rushing - 18 carries, 128 yards, 7.1 YPA, 1 TD, 1 fumble, forced 5 missed tackles, 79 yards after contact
Receiving - 3 targets, 3 catches, 44 yards, 14.7 YPC, 1 TD
Gaines is a former three-star athlete from California who held 10 D1 offers and signed with the Broncos after being committed to Arizona State for the duration of his senior season. Not much was expected of Gaines in year one, as atop the depth chart sits Ashton Jeanty, who should be considered a Heisman candidate at this point. But Gaines has flashed his potential as a do-it-all back, having a big game against Georgia Southern to open the season. He showed tremendous vision on a long touchdown run, patiently waiting for blocks to develop downfield and running behind them down the sideline. Gaines also walked into the endzone untouched on a screen for an easy score. While he did not see much action in a thriller against Oregon, Gaines is the next beast at running back to come out of Boise.
Tyler Mercer
Snaps:
Center - 91
Stats:
Blocking - 0 sacks allowed, 0 hits allowed, 0 hurries allowed, 0 pressures allowed, 1 penalty
You rarely see true freshmen log meaningful snaps along the offensive line. It’s even rarer that they play well (see Chase Bisontis, Kadyn Proctor, Anthonie Knapp). But there are a small handful who perform well right out the gate (see Will Campbell, Kelvin Banks, Peter Skoronski). Through two games, add Tyler Mercer to that list. The 19-year-old out of Prosper, TX decommitted from Tulane to sign with North Texas and play college ball 45 minutes down the road from home. That decision has already paid dividends. Mercer started the season as the backup center and was ready for action when starter C Jett Duncan went down with an ankle injury. Mercer had an excellent outing, his only mishap coming in the form of a holding penalty, and then got the start in week 2 against Stephen F. Austin. In the matchup against SFA, Mercer was flawless, not allowing a single pressure or committing a single penalty before going down with injury. If Mercer can come back from injury quickly, his talent demands a starting spot along this offensive front.
