Given the popularity of the transfer portal, it has become more and more difficult for true freshmen to see the field.
This past season, 32.5% of all college football starters were transfers. That's compared to 10.6% in the 2020 season. Freshman quarterbacks particularly have been impacted, as just 2.8% of starters at the position were true freshmen in 2023 compared to 10.1% in 2019.
But it doesn't mean we haven't seen true freshmen make an impact altogether. In 2023, Alabama safety Caleb Downs started every game for the Tide and led the team in tackles with 107.
Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. was also a freshman starter and finished second on the team in total tackles with 67 and made a major impact for the Longhorns.
There is opportunity for the most recent class of incoming freshmen in the right situations. Here is a look at some of the true freshmen to know for the 2024 season.
CB Jaylen Mbakwe
The Crimson Tide are losing starting corners Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold to the NFL. The new Alabama staff also saw true freshman Caleb Downs, Dezz Ricks, Antonio Kite, Trey Amos and Earl Little Jr. head to the transfer portal. That makes defensive back depth that much more necessary and Mbakwe recently confirmed he is sticking with Alabama and the new coaching staff. USC corner Domani Jackson transferred in, which will help, but there's opportunity for Mbakwe to step in and play in some fashion in 2024. He might not start right away, but given the depth he will be needed.
DL David Stone
ESPN 300 rank: 4
The Sooners will have depth at defensive tackle, especially with Jacob Lacey returning in 2024, but the defense could still use help up front as it moves into the SEC. Stone was the top-ranked defensive tackle in the class and the Sooners fought to get him in this class. He's 6-foot-4, 280 pounds and fits what Brent Venables wants in his defense. He's disruptive and can have an impact in the pass rush or the run game. Despite the depth, Stone is too good to keep off the field and should be a multiyear starter for Oklahoma.
WR Cameron Coleman
ESPN 300 rank: 6
Auburn's leading receiver in yards and touchdowns this past season was tight end Rivaldo Fairweather, who had 394 yards and six touchdowns. The team was ranked 124th among all FBS teams in receiving yards per game, averaging just 162.2 yards. Auburn ranked 81st in receiving touchdowns with 18, and was No. 100 in yards per reception. The staff needed to add more playmakers at the position and Coleman is that guy. He is a 6-foot-4, 185-pound prospect and was the No. 1 receiver in the class. He has an opportunity to really elevate this offense.
WR Jeremiah Smith
ESPN 300 rank: 7
Ohio State has produced a ton of great receivers over the past few seasons and Smith is coming into a situation where the team is losing star receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and tight end Cade Stover to the NFL. Harrison led the team with 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns, while Stover was second on the team with 576 yards and five touchdowns. The team is returning Emeka Egbuka, Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss, but lost Noah Rogers to the transfer portal. Smith is 6-foot-3 and, given his talent and ability, should make an impact in his first year with new transfer quarterback Will Howard coming in to take over at the position.
QB Dylan Raiola
ESPN 300 rank: 8
Matt Rhule and his staff had all kinds of QB issues in their first year in Lincoln. Jeff Sims transferred in from Georgia Tech and was benched after playing in five games. Heinrich Haarberg ended the season as the team's leading passer with 967 yards, seven touchdowns and seven interceptions with Chubba Purdy behind him with 382 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. Raiola, the highest-ranked recruit to sign with Nebraska in the ESPN 300 era, could immediately be the starter. Raiola threw for 8,442 yards, 88 touchdowns and 11 interceptions over the last three seasons in high school and was the No. 2 quarterback in the class.
WR Micah Hudson
ESPN 300 rank: 13
Hudson, No. 13 overall, is the highest-ranked prospect Texas Tech has ever signed. Texas Tech is losing leading receiver Xavier White to the NFL and also saw receiver Jerand Bradley transfer to Boston College and TD-receptions leader Myles Price transfer to Indiana. The coaches brought in Washington State receiver Josh Kelly and Florida receiver Caleb Douglas, who will help, but Hudson has a great opportunity to be a key part of the offense.
QB D.J. Lagway
ESPN 300 rank: 17
Florida is returning starter Graham Mertz, who threw for 2,903 yards, 20 touchdowns and three interceptions in 2023. Mertz completed 72.9% of his passes, but the offense ranked 55th in offensive points scored per game among all FBS teams, No. 41 in passing yards per game, No. 41 in passing yards per attempt and No. 59 in pass completions of 20 yards or more. Lagway is the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in this class and will likely push Mertz early. He threw for 4,604 yards, 58 touchdowns and eight interceptions as a senior in high school and ran for 957 yards and 16 touchdowns. The talent and skill level will be difficult to keep on the bench.
OL Jordan Seaton
ESPN 300 rank: 20
Colorado gave up 56 sacks this season, which was second-most among all FBS programs (Old Dominion gave up 62). The offensive line was a huge issue and absolutely needed to be fixed. Coach Deion Sanders brought in transfers Tyler Johnson from Houston, Phillip Houston from FIU, Kahlil Benson from Indiana, Justin Mayers from UTEP and Yakiri Walker from UConn. Despite those additions, Seaton is a five-star and the No. 20 prospect overall in the class. He has an opportunity to come in and lock down one of the spots along the offensive line as competition is desperately needed.
DL L.J. McCray
Florida Gators
ESPN 300 rank: 24
Florida's defense gave up 382.3 yards per game this past season, which ranked 70th among all FBS teams. The team also allowed 155.6 rush yards per game, which was ranked 79th overall, and was No. 73 in sacks per pass attempt. The defense needs more talent and depth, and McCray can provide help in a multitude of ways up front. He is a 6-foot-7, 265-pound prospect who should be able to help in the pass rush and run game.
WR T.J. Moore
ESPN 300 rank: 92
Clemson's leading receiver this season was Tyler Brown, who was a freshman, and the leader in touchdown receptions was tight end Jake Briningstool. There wasn't much production behind them, though, and the team ranked 61st in receiving yards per game among all FBS teams with just 228.4 yards, and No. 70 in receiving touchdowns. Moore is a welcome addition in this class, as is receiver Bryant Wesco, who could be included on this list as well. Moore had 1,272 receiving yards and 17 receiving touchdowns as a senior in high school.
LB Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa
ESPN 300 rank: 102
Viliamu-Asa is a 6-foot-3, 233-pound linebacker whom the Notre Dame staff is very excited about. He's a middle linebacker but moves like an outside linebacker. He can impact the game in a variety of ways, whether it's in coverage, run stop or getting after the quarterback. He led his team in tackles this season with 114, and also had one interception, three pass breakups and 13 tackles for loss. Viliamu-Asa should be someone who sees the field very early in his career given his production and how well he is suited to be an every-down linebacker.
RB Jordan Marshall
ESPN 300 rank: 153
Michigan is losing star running back Blake Corum, who led the FBS in rushing touchdowns in 2023. Donovan Edwards, Kalel Mullings and Cole Cabana -- who was No. 117 in the 2023 ESPN 300 -- are coming back. Marshall won the Ohio Mr. Football award and ran for 1,550 yards and 17 touchdowns and had 394 yards receiving with four touchdown receptions this past season. The Wolverines' offense is built on the running game and used multiple backs last season. Marshall could find his role as Michigan tries to fill Corum's shoes.