18 college football freshmen that have had the best seasons so far

We’re entering the final weeks of the 2024 college football season, but there’s plenty to look forward to in the future. The future is especially bright thanks to multiple standout freshmen taking over college football in their rookie seasons. Here are the freshmen that have had the best seasons so far.

QB CJ Bailey | NC State

CJ Bailey wasn’t the Week 1 starter at NC State, but since taking the reins at quarterback, he’s held his own. He has passed for 1,610 yards and 11 touchdowns to just four interceptions, rushing for another two scores. In his last outing against Stanford, he completed 90 percent of his passes with three touchdowns, finishing with a 237.8 passer rating and 98.4 QBR. 

QB DJ Lagway | Florida

Would Florida have beaten Georgia if DJ Lagway didn’t get hurt? We’ll never know, but the Gators did lead 10-3 — with the ball — before the freshman superstar suffered an injury against the Bulldogs. Lagway has shown flashes of greatness as he’s navigated a QB battle to become the starter.

QB Dylan Raiola | Nebraska

Dylan Raiola has been the guy from Day 1 at Nebraska and he’s lived up to the hype. He’s thrown for 1,921 yards and 10 touchdowns and helped get Nebraska back in the AP Poll for the first time since 2019 earlier this season.

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RB Isaac Brown | Louisville

Isaac Brown is averaging 7.5 yards per carry on 106 carries with seven rushing touchdowns. He ran for 151 yards and a score in an upset over Clemson.

RB Caden Durham | LSU

Caden Durham has track speed — literally — and it shows on the field. He can take any play to the house and already has eight touchdowns this season.

WR Nick Marsh | Michigan State

Nick Marsh might be flying a bit under the radar compared to other freshman wide receiver counterparts because of the limited team success Michigan State has had at 4-5. However, real ball knowers can tell that Marsh is a diamond in the rough season in East Lansing.

Marsh has 33 catches for 553 yards and three touchdowns as the leading receiver on the Spartans. He looks like a complete package, whether it's jump balls or getting yards after the catch.

WR Jeremiah Smith | Ohio State

There hasn’t been a better freshman in all of college football than Jeremiah Smith at Ohio State. His eight receiving touchdowns rank 9th nationally and he’s breaking freshman records that have stood since Cris Carter played for the Buckeyes. Smith has become the WR1 for an Ohio State team loaded with five-star talent, including projected first-round pick Emeka Egbuka.

WR Ryan Williams | Alabama

Ryan Williams is 17 years old and already the top wideout at Alabama. He has 35 catches for 702 yards and seven touchdowns, highlighted by a game-saving touchdown to knock off No. 2 Georgia. Williams knows how to get open and make moves after the catch like a veteran, even though he’s the youngest player on the field.

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OT Anthonie Knapp | Notre Dame

Anthonie Knapp took over the starting left tackle position after an injury to Charles Jagusah at Notre Dame and hasn’t looked back. Like most rookie offensive linemen, Knapp has been better in the run game to start his career, but his growth in pass protection shows week after week.

OT Jordan Seaton | Colorado

Jordan Seaton had more pressure on his shoulders than any freshman entering the year, tasked with protecting elite quarterback Shedeur Sanders after the offensive line was horrible last year. Seaton has had his growing pains, but overall, he’s been a linchpin on the blindside and a key part in Colorado’s resurgence.

OT Josiah Thompson | South Carolina

Josiah Thompson entered South Carolina as a five-star recruit and has lived up to his rating after starting at left tackle for every game this year.

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Edge Colin Simmons | Texas

Colin Simmons has a burst off the edge that reminds some in burnt orange of Brian Orakpo from the late 2000s. Simmons has four sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss this season. 

Edge Dylan Stewart | South Carolina

Dylan Stewart has looked like a veteran from Day 1 at South Carolina, making a sack in all but two games. Stewart has 5.5 sacks on the year with two forced fumbles. He already looks like an elite SEC edge rusher for years to come.

CB Zabien Brown | Alabama

Zabien Brown made one of the biggest plays this college football season with his game-sealing interception against Georgia. That’s just one of the many plays he’s made in his first year.

CB OJ Frederique | Miami (Fla.)

In the last six games, OJ Frederique has allowed only three catches for 24 yards while nabbing an interception. He didn’t begin the year as a starter, but since emerging into the lineup he’s become a key defensive piece to Miami’s undefeated start.

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S K.J. Bolden | Georgia

K.J. Bolden hasn’t been the primary starter all season for Georgia, but he’s gotten significant reps all season long. However, in his first start against Florida, he had five tackles and a pass breakup, showcasing his versatility against the run and the pass that’s been on display all season long. 

S CJ Heard | FAU

CJ Heard has 62 tackles in his true freshman season, finishing with double-digit tackles in three games. He leads FAU in tackles.

S Koi Perich | Minnesota

There’s an argument to be made that Koi Perich has been the best defensive freshman in the country so far. He’s been everywhere for Minnesota’s defense and has intercepted five passes in six games. He entered as the second-highest-rated modern-day high school recruit to ever commit to Minnesota and has lived up to the hype.