College football has been back for just a few weeks, and we’ve already had plenty of surprises. Typically freshmen don’t contribute often to college football teams, but there have been plenty of standout performances from top newcomers.
Two five-star recruits topped our list last week and had debuts that dazzled the college football world. They’re joined at the top by a guy who moves from seventh into the top three with a debut for the ages.
Here are the top 10 college football freshmen to watch in Week 2.
10 Freshmen To Watch in Week 2
10) Perry Thompson, WR, Auburn
Perry Thompson joins fellow Auburn receiver Cam Coleman on this list after actually outgaining his fellow five-star through the air, catching two passes for 82 yards and a touchdown in just eight offensive snaps.
Thompson had a 70-yard touchdown catch and while he’s probably not the top option in Auburn’s passing game, he’s shown his talent already. If the Tigers begin to struggle with the tougher part of the schedule, Thompson will see an increase in snaps.
9) Danny O’Neil, QB, San Diego State
It wasn’t a huge performance numbers-wise for Danny O’Neil on Saturday, but he did nothing but solidify his starting position with the Aztecs. O’Neil threw for 214 yards and added 35 more on the ground against Texas A&M-Commerce.
San Deigo State hosts Oregon State in one of the late games on Saturday, so if you’re up late, flip over and watch the three-star freshman quarterback lead Sean Lewis’ team.
8) Marcellus Barnes Jr., CB, Syracuse
Unlike many of the guys on this list, Marcellus Barnes wasn’t a five-star recruit. In fact, he wasn’t even a four-star, as the three-star corner was one of Fran Brown’s first recruits at Syracuse after decommitting from Virginia Tech in December. He earned a bunch of playing time in the opener, impressing in coverage.
The Orange host Georgia Tech on Saturday, and the Yellow Jackets could run at Barnes a bit due to his lack of elite size. That being said, he looked excellent in his debut, and the freshman from Tennessee seems to be a solid acquisition by the Orange.
7) Cam Coleman, WR, Auburn
Coleman is one of a few talented freshman receivers for the Auburn Tigers and one of two Auburn players at the receiver position on this list. There were questions about how Auburn would be able to move the ball through the air this season, but the Tigers had no issue against Alabama A&M.
If the Tigers can continue to find success through the air, Coleman will be a huge part of the offense in 2024.
6) Jordan Seaton, OT, Colorado
It was a decent opener for five-star freshman left tackle Jordan Seaton and Colorado as the pass blocking seemed to be a bit improved across the board. The Buffaloes will have their hands full with Nebraska’s tough front seven, and Seaton will have a prominent role in Colorado’s offensive success in 2024.
5) KJ Bolden, S, Georgia
Georgia doesn’t have any holes on its roster, so the fact that KJ Bolden played 49 snaps in the opener at Clemson is enough on its own to be astonishing. Bolden lined up all over the place and was solid in coverage, tackling multiple ball carriers for short gains and playing solid coverage in the back.
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It’s obvious from his position on the depth chart that Bolden is immensely talented, and he’s expected to have a huge impact this season.
4) Ryan Williams, WR, Alabama
I mistakenly left Ryan Williams off of last week’s list — not because I didn’t think he was talented but because I didn’t think the 17-year-old would play much for Alabama. I was obviously wrong as Williams scored two touchdowns in the first half of Alabama’s opening win over Western Kentucky.
Williams caught only two passes, but both were touchdowns of over 50 yards, including an 84-yarder, making him one of the top big-play threats in the sport despite his age.
3) Dylan Stewart, Edge, South Carolina
South Carolina struggled a bit against Old Dominion, but edge rusher Dylan Stewart didn’t. Stewart racked up five pressures, three sacks, and two forced fumbles in just 24 pass-rushing snaps against Old Dominion, displaying a rare combination of size, speed, and bend that reminds people of another former South Carolina edge rusher in Jadeveon Clowney.
Stewart has a matchup with a Kentucky team led by Brock Vandagriff, who is making just his second career start.
2) Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
The stat line for Jeremiah Smith on Saturday was solid but doesn’t tell the whole story. Smith scored two touchdowns on six catches, displaying a ridiculous skill set in the process.
There are plenty of well-respected NFL Draft analysts who think that he’d be a first-round pick this year if he were draft-eligible. Smith and the Ohio State Buckeyes face off with the Western Michigan Broncos on Saturday night, Sept. 7.
1) Dylan Raiola, QB, Nebraska
While Smith arguably had the better game of our top two, it’s Dylan Raiola who gets our top spot. Raiola looks like a dangerous downfield passer, giving Nebraska their first deep threat at quarterback in a long time.
Raiola gets Colorado and superstar two-way player Travis Hunter in a critical Week 2 matchup. UTEP didn’t pose much of a threat to Raiola, but can he go toe to toe with Shedeur Sanders?
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