The 2024 college football season is right around the corner, which means depth charts are being mapped out, at least in pencil.
Where will the top incoming freshmen fit in? By now, the most decorated recruits have been on campus, acclimating to their new coaches and teammates. Some have more direct paths to the field than others, depending on their positions, physical development and a variety of factors. Others might be waiting a while or serving mostly as role players for this coming season.
We're spotlighting ESPN's top 10 recruits in the 2024 class, how they fared in their first preseason camps and where they are positioned for their freshman seasons. Not surprisingly, the group includes two players each from Georgia (cornerback Ellis Robinson IV, linebacker Justin Williams), Alabama (cornerback Jaylen Mbakwe, wide receiver Ryan Williams) and Ohio State (quarterback Julian Sayin, wide receiver Jeremiah Smith). Despite recent on-field struggles, Florida is also represented with quarterback D.J. Lagway and defensive end L.J. McCray. Players from Auburn (wide receiver Cam Coleman) and Oklahoma (defensive tackle David Stone) round out the group.
We reached out to coaches and others around their respective programs to find out how the freshmen are faring and what to expect from them when the games kick off.
Let's get started.
Ellis Robinson IV, CB, Georgia
Vitals: 6-foot, 180 pounds
ESPN recruiting rank: No. 1 overall
Position outlook: Georgia has one spot to fill with the departure of Kamari Lassiter, a second-round NFL draft pick. Daylen Everette returns after starting in 2023, and sophomores Julian Humphrey and Daniel Harris are in the mix for playing time. Everette had 29 tackles and five pass breakups last season, while Humphrey seemed headed for the transfer portal before opting to remain in Athens. Redshirt freshman Chris Peal is also in the mix.
How he projects: Robinson plays a premier position in what is often one of the nation's most talented secondaries under coach Kirby Smart. Georgia has depth at corner with Everette and the others but no lockdown player, creating an opportunity for the gifted Floridian. Georgia hasn't had a true freshman start at cornerback since Tyson Campbell in 2018.
"He's competitive, does some really good things and does some things he needs to work on, like any freshman," a team source said of Robinson. "It's Georgia, so the talent is here with everyone."
Defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann this month praised Robinson's approach to conditioning and other elements, which has given the freshman a chance to earn playing time. The key is supplementing his playmaking ability by limiting mistakes. But Georgia so far doesn't seem to have massive separation among its cornerbacks.
Jaylen Mbakwe, CB, Alabama
Vitals: 5-11, 192 pounds
ESPN recruiting rank: No. 2 overall, No. 2 cornerback, No. 1 in Alabama
Position outlook: No position was impacted more by Alabama's coaching change from Nick Saban to Kalen DeBoer. The Tide lost Terrion Arnold (first round) and Kool-Aid McKinstry (second round) to the NFL draft, and saw reserves Trey Amos (Ole Miss), Earl Little (Florida State), Dezz Ricks (Texas A&M) and Antonio Kite (Auburn) all transfer out. Alabama did add USC transfer Domani Jackson, a former top-10 recruit who played in 18 games for the Trojans.
How he projects: The opportunity is there for Mbakwe to capitalize on a new-look room and impress the new staff, led by defensive coordinator Kane Wommack as well as co-coordinators Maurice Linguist and Colin Hitschler, who will oversee the secondary. Mbakwe's progress from spring practice to camp recently drew praise from Wommack, who noted the freshman's detailed approach and said he would have a role in the rotation.
"We're going to need him," DeBoer told ESPN. "He's in that rotation, one of the top four [cornerbacks]. Mbakwe's got really great twitch, very sudden and strong. Relative for a freshman, but he's got those physical attributes."
DeBoer added that Mbakwe's experience playing quarterback as a high school senior has accelerated his improvement in adjusting to the demands of playing cornerback in the SEC.
Ryan Williams, WR, Alabama
Vitals: 6-foot, 175 pounds
ESPN recruiting rank: No. 3 overall, No. 1 wide receiver, No. 2 in Alabama
Position outlook: Like the cornerback spot, Alabama's wide receiver room is filled with new faces after the NFL departure of Jermaine Burton (third round) and the transfers of Isaiah Bond (Texas), Malik Benson (Florida State) and Ja'Corey Brooks (Louisville). Washington transfer Germie Bernard joined DeBoer and the coaching staff in Tuscaloosa, and Kobe Prentice is back, alongside promising junior Kendrick Law.
How he projects: Williams joins an offensive staff that oversaw the nation's best wide receiver group in 2023 at Washington, led by NFL first-round draft pick Rome Odunze and also featuring Ja'Lynn Polk (second round) and Jalen McMillan (third round). Although Bernard could be in line to be Alabama's top wideout, Williams should be in the rotation for quarterback Jalen Milroe.
His ability to win 50-50 balls has stood out to the staff.
"He looks confident out there, and it doesn't feel like he's a freshman," DeBoer told ESPN. "He knows where to line up, he knows the responsibility that he has in each play, he goes out there and finds ways to make big plays. He's very explosive."
Alabama is rotating its receivers at different spots and with different groups, but Williams was seen during the team's fan day with Bernard and the first-team offense. Offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan recently praised Williams' ability to communicate and absorb directions.
"He's a playmaker," DeBoer said. "He just gets in there, attacks the ball and finds a way to come down with it so often. He's got a lot of great things that make him really special here, as time goes on."
Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
Vitals: 6-3, 215 pounds
ESPN recruiting rank: No. 4 overall, No. 2 wide receiver, No. 2 in Florida
Position outlook: Ohio State's receiving corps went through turnover as the program revamped one of the nation's most talented rosters during the offseason. The Buckeyes lost Biletnikoff Award winner Marvin Harrison Jr. to the NFL (No. 4 overall pick), and Julian Fleming -- Ohio State's fourth-leading pass catcher last fall -- transferred within the conference to Penn State. Senior Emeka Egbuka stands as the Buckeyes' top returning pass catcher while Carnell Tate is expected to step into a larger role after hauling in 18 passes in his freshman season.
How he projects: As the Buckeyes return slim production behind Egbuka and Tate, Smith has the opportunity to assert himself as a feature wide receiver.
Smith arrived on campus with college-ready size and physicality, and coaches have lauded his work ethic and competitiveness going up against an ultra-talented Ohio State secondary during strong spring and fall camp showings. Wide receivers coach Brian Hartline highlighted Smith's development in the mental side of the game as a key piece of the progression he's made since joining the program as an midyear enrollee in January.
"We're going to put him in positions to be successful, but I can't really tell you anything that he doesn't do well," Hartline told ESPN. "He's a guy that's going to be highly relied upon."
Quarterback Will Howard and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly are a pair of newcomers driving the Buckeyes offense. Smith, with elite athletic ability, is another fresh face who projects to take on a prominent role this fall in a critical season in Columbus.
Cam Coleman, WR, Auburn
Vitals: 6-3, 197 pounds
ESPN recruiting rank: No. 5 overall, No. 3 wide receiver, No. 3 in Alabama
Position outlook: Receivers typically thrive in coach Hugh Freeze's offenses, and Auburn's group should take a step forward in Year 2 of the Freeze era. Most eyes will be on the newcomers, as the Tigers added two players who led their teams in receiving in KeAndre Lambert-Smith (Penn State, 673 yards) and Robert Lewis (Georgia State, 877 yards), as well as Sam Jackson V, a former dual-threat quarterback at Cal and TCU. Caleb Burton III and Camden Brown, who combined for 26 catches in reserve roles last fall, are also back.
How he projects: Coleman enrolled early after winning a high school state championship for coach Patrick Nix, the former Auburn star quarterback and father of former Tigers QB Bo Nix, and quickly announced his presence on the Plains. According to wide receivers coach Marcus Davis, Coleman has delivered "wow" plays, such as a one-handed catch in the back of the end zone last week in practice, but has also taken a studious approach to route depths, splits and how to find soft spots against zone coverage.
"He's always making special plays, it's just the gift that he's got, he just has a knack for it," Davis told ESPN. "But what I'm most impressed with is that dude, he's trying to mix it up in the blocking game as well. He's doing exactly what he's coached."
Davis noted that the Tigers' receiver room has more depth with the transfers and others, but expects immediate contributions from Coleman, who turned 18 on Aug. 14 but has shown enough maturity to handle college football and its demands.
"He's got that rare combination of both size and speed, and that's what you look for in a receiver," Davis said. "And his catch radius, you put it around him, there's a chance he does something special."
David Stone, DT, Oklahoma
Vitals: 6-3, 294 pounds
ESPN recruiting rank: No. 6 overall, No. 1 defensive tackle, No. 3 in Florida
Position outlook: Oklahoma's tackle depth represents the thinnest spot in a deep and experienced defense this fall. The Sooners saw offseason departures from multigame starters Isaiah Coe (graduation), Jacob Lacey (medical retirement) and Jonah Laulu (seventh-round NFL draft pick), along with reserves Kelvin Gilliam (transfer to Virginia Tech) and Jordan Kelley (graduation). Former Tennessee transfer Da'Jon Terry returns this fall, and Oklahoma added at the position with TCU transfer Damonic Williams. Junior Gracen Halton, Stone, fellow freshman Jayden Jackson, redshirt freshman Ashton Sanders and veteran Davon Sears make up the Sooners' depth up the middle.
How he projects: Oklahoma defensive tackles coach Todd Bates described Stone as "a student of the game," and praised the five-star freshman's attentiveness and the physical growth he's undergone over the spring and summer. Listed at 275 pounds upon joining the Sooners in January, Stone now weighs in at 304, according to Bates, who says he's rarely -- if ever -- seen a freshman bulk up the way Stone has in his initial months on campus.
"He can't wait to get off the field and watch the tape," Bates told ESPN. "As I'm grading that tape, he's sitting with me. ... Coach [Brent Venables] always says, 'You're either fueling the room or draining the room.' David Stone fuels the room."
Venables has credited Stone for the mindset and hardworking approach he's brought since his arrival. Stone is still learning the intricacies of his position at the college level, but his ability as a pass rusher and the Sooners' relative lack of depth at defensive tackle should give him a chance at playing time this fall.
"Some guys have that natural pass-rush ability and he has that," Bates said. "It ain't about how many weights you can lift, it's about can you move another individual out of the way. He certainly possesses that natural pass-rush ability."
Justin Williams, ILB, Georgia
Vitals: 6-2, 220 pounds
ESPN recruiting rank: No. 7 overall, No. 1 inside linebacker, No. 1 in Texas
Position outlook: Inside linebacker projects as a team strength despite the transfer of 2022 All-America selection Jamon Dumas-Johnson (Kentucky) and reserve Xavian Sorey (Arkansas). Georgia brings back Smael Mondon, a second-team All-SEC selection in 2023 who enters his third year as a starter and has 144 tackles over the past two seasons. Sophomore CJ Allen comes off an impressive debut that included five starts, and Jalon Walker, the team's sacks leader last season, can play either inside or outside. Georgia has recruited extremely well with Allen, Raylen Wilson and Troy Bowles. Chris Cole, ESPN's No. 20 overall recruit, joins Williams in the 2024 class.
How he projects: Williams likely won't have a major role as a true freshman, which says more about Georgia than it does about him or his talent. The Bulldogs have a logjam at inside linebacker, especially with Walker potentially being used there in addition to on the edge. Smart's recent complaints about depth don't really apply to this group.
Even the younger players have similar recruiting accolades. Allen was No. 97 in ESPN's 2023 recruiting rankings, while Wilson was No. 15 and Bowles was No. 41.
"The front [seven] is a lot older, they've played a lot more snaps," a team source said.
Williams has made a good impression on his teammates and the coaching staff, showcasing the speed and athleticism that made him one of the country's top defensive prospects. But he might need a slew of injuries -- like Allen had with both Dumas-Johnson and Mondon in 2023 -- to claim a significant role this season.
"Justin's probably going to help on special teams before anything else," Smart told reporters.
D.J. Lagway, QB, Florida
Vitals: 6-3, 239 pounds
ESPN recruiting rank: No. 8 overall, No. 1 dual-threat quarterback, No. 2 in Texas
Position outlook: Florida enters 2024 confident in redshirt senior Graham Mertz ahead of his second season with the program. Lagway is expected to serve as Mertz's backup for the Gators this fall, leading a quarterback group that includes Colorado State transfer Clay Millen and a trio of walk-ons.
How he projects: Florida did not sign a high school quarterback in the 2023 class, and while the Gators are still scouring the class of 2025, the program doesn't have a quarterback committed in the current cycle, either. Lagway, the five-star passer from Willis, Texas, is Florida's quarterback of the future.
This fall, he projects as one of the most intriguing backup quarterbacks in the country.
"He's better and further along than really what we expected," a team source told ESPN. "Always knew he was super talented and the right type of kid, hard worker and all of that. But I think he's made a tremendous jump from when he first got here just mechanically and understanding the offense."
Consistency and decision-making were the trouble spots for Lagway in the spring. Head coach Billy Napier opened fall camp with praise for Lagway's growth, noting his development in reading the defense and his sharpened mechanics, focusing particularly on Lagway's footwork.
Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State
Vitals: 6-1, 203 pounds
ESPN recruiting rank: No. 9 overall, No. 2 dual-threat quarterback, No. 1 in California
Position outlook: Ryan Day officially confirmed Kansas State transfer Will Howard as the Buckeyes' starting quarterback for the 2024 season last week. Day named junior Devin Brown (eight career appearances) as his backup, but said Sayin remains in contention for the No. 2 role. Sophomore Lincoln Kienholz and 2024 signee Air Noland fill out the Buckeyes' quarterback depth.
How he projects: Ohio State scouted Sayin heavily prior to his commitment to Alabama, and he made strides in his brief stint with the Crimson Tide before transferring to the Buckeyes in January. Through Sayin's seven months at Ohio State, coaches and personnel staffers within the program have noted his sharp understanding of the game and a quick release as standout elements in his skill set as Sayin has quickly settled into the Buckeyes' offense.
"He's probably the most talented I've seen as a freshman coming in here as a quarterback," Hartline told ESPN. "It's well documented how C.J. [Stroud] and Dwayne [Haskins] were, but he's pretty talented and I'm excited about the upside."
Hartline added that Sayin still has plenty of learning to do and that experience in the college game will be part of the next steps in his progression. Entering the late stages of preseason, Sayin is closing a positive fall camp with the door still open for him to push upward within Ohio State's QB depth.
"Devin [Brown] will be the No. 2," Day told reporters last week. "But that is going to continue to be a competition, especially in camp because we're not done with camp yet."
L.J. McCray, DE, Florida
Vitals: 6-3, 264 pounds
ESPN recruiting rank: No. 10 overall, No. 1 defensive end, No. 4 in Florida
Position outlook: Florida lost sacks leader Princely Umanmielen to Ole Miss, but the Gators bring back the rest of their production at the position from last fall. Between veteran Tyreak Sapp and sophomores Kelby Collins and T.J. Searcy, Florida returns 73 total tackles and four sacks from a year ago, while redshirt junior Justus Boone rejoins the Gators' pass-rushing depth after missing last season with an ACL injury. Northern Illinois transfer George Gumbs Jr. and sophomore Kamran James present reserve options with experience.
How he projects: McCray signed with the Gators as one of the most physically impressive high school prospects in the 2024 cycle. In his seven-plus months at Florida, McCray's physical development has only bolstered confidence within the program that the five-star freshman can contribute this fall.
"He already has the body and the frame and the athletic ability and the tools and all that to allow him to be able to be considered to play early," a team source told ESPN. "But he's just worked hard over the summer and gotten stronger, developing his upper body. It takes a little bit of time at this level, but he's physically far ahead of where a typical freshman would be coming in."
Despite the blow of Umanmielen's departure, Florida enters the season with capable depth on the edge. However, the Gators are already reshuffling on the defensive line following a preseason injury to defensive tackle Jamari Lyons, and McCray's size and talent could make him difficult to keep on the sideline by the latter stages of his freshman season.
"It'll start off slow, but by midseason I think he'll be out there," a team source said. "He'll be sparingly early and then I would think he gets in there a lot. He's a real guy."