Week 1 of college football was highlighted by several Top 25 matchups, providing a strong start to the 2024 season.
Another big accomplishment has been the emergence of several true freshmen, with many players quickly improving and flourishing at the collegiate level.
After a strong Week 1, who are the five freshmen to watch in Week 2 of college football? We break it down for you.
University of Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola
First, we have to start with the top quarterback in the 2024 class, five-star Dylan Raiola from the University of Nebraska.
The freshman, who had been projected as a possible starter since his enrollment, led Nebraska by completing 19 of 27 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns in Nebraska's 40-7 win over UTEP.
One of his highlights was a beautiful kick down the sideline to transfer receiver Isaiah Neyo for a 59-yard touchdown.
Then, just before the end of the first half, Raiola delivered another perfect pass, completing a 21-yard back-shoulder touchdown pass to transferred wide receiver Jamal Banks.
Heading into Week 2, Raiola will be at the center of one of the most highly anticipated matchups of the first half, as Nebraska takes on Colorado at Memorial Stadium and enters the game with a seven-point advantage.
Can Raiola beat out Heisman Trophy candidate Shedul Sanders? He'll have a chance. He'll lead a revamped Nebraska offense that already looks better than the shaky performance they put together in 2023.
University of Alabama WR Ryan Williams
Seventeen-year-old five-star phenom Ryan Williams is starting his Alabama career with a bang. How did he perform in Game 1?
Two catches, 139 yards, two touchdowns.
Williams led the Crimson Tide in pass catching, catching 139 of Alabama's quarterbacks' 266 passing yards, with both touchdowns coming from Jalen Milroe.
The wide receiver's first touchdown was a big one, as Jalen Milroe found him along the sideline for a long 84-yard pass in the first quarter to put Alabama up 21-0.
Williams then scored a 55-yard touchdown run at halftime to cap off an electrifying debut against Western Kentucky.
Now in Week 2, Williams will be looking to continue his strong start when Alabama hosts up-and-coming South Florida on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith
Jeremiah Smith, the most highly anticipated recruit in the entire 2024 class, had an even stronger performance in Week 1 for the Ohio State Buckeyes than many expected.
The five-star true freshman finished with six catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns, the top performance among Ohio State receivers on a team that also included potential first-round draft pick Emeka Egbuka and former five-star recruit Carnell Tate.
Smith received the most balls and yards from quarterback Will Howard, making a number of highlight plays in the process, including this incredible one-handed catch that set up an Ohio State touchdown.
Smith has another favorable matchup in Week 2 as Ohio State hosts Western Michigan at Ohio Stadium on Saturday.
The question is, can he continue to solidify his status as the Buckeyes' top receiver?
Notre Dame OT Anthony Knapp
One of the big storylines that unfolded during the offseason was 2024 four-star Anthony Knapp securing Notre Dame's starting left tackle spot as a true freshman.
The decision will be closely watched because true rookie offensive linemen typically go through significant growing pains when given a starting job, especially at the tackle position.
Well, Knapp certainly impressed in his first game, allowing just one pressure on 36 dropbacks against a tough opponent in the Irish's Week 1 win over Texas A&M.
He had some tough moments, including a controversial holding foul on star defender Nick Skorton, but it was still a good performance for the freshman.
He'll be given an easier assignment in Week 2 when Notre Dame hosts Northern Illinois on Saturday, his first game with one of the most inexperienced offensive lines in the country and he'll look to build on it.
Dylan Stewart, South Carolina DE
University of South Carolina defensive end Dylan Stewart had one of his most dominant debuts ever, recording six pressures, four tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles in Week 1 to lead the Gamecocks to a 23-19 win over Old Dominion.
Stewart, a five-star edge rusher in the class of 2024, made an immediate impact with his new team and was a crucial presence in a close Week 1 game, singlehandedly thwarting several Old Dominion offensive drives and setting up a South Carolina touchdown drive.
Stewart was PFF's highest-graded defender in Week 1, regardless of age or position, which shows just how good his debut performance was.
South Carolina's SEC schedule begins with a key game in Week 2, traveling to take on the Kentucky Wildcats, who comfortably beat Southern Miss, 31-0, in their season opener.
Can Stewart keep up his momentum and make a big impact for the Gamecocks again? We'll find out when the two teams meet on Saturday afternoon.
