Way-too-Early Predictions for 2024 Breakout College Football Freshmen

What are we going to do now? The 2023 college football season is in the books, Michigan has been crowned the national champion and 95 percent of the recruits already signed during the early period.

We've got to wait two months until spring practice. It's truly the darkest time of year for college football fans.

Never fear, though, prognostication SZN is here!

While you may love to hate those way-too-early top 25 lists, you read them. If you're a recruitnik, the most fun thing to do this time of year is project instant-impact playmakers from the class that (mostly) just rolled in.

Across the board, there are big-time prospects who could do big things in 2024. Everybody wants to know who is going to be the next superstar defender like Alabama safety Caleb Downs, the next top-tier pass-catcher like NC State's little-known Kevin Concepcion or the next road-grading offensive lineman like Miami's Francis Mauigoa.

While it wasn't a great year for true freshman quarterbacks getting snaps, will '24 be any different? Or has the transfer portal squeezed any hope of projecting young signal-caller success?

This is easier if you include redshirt freshmen because they've already got reps or some buzz around them. But it's more fun to project the first-year youngsters.

So, which true freshmen are going to be the new-wave stars next season? Let's take a shot at the predictions.

Elijah Brown, Stanford Quarterback

Credit: 247Sports

It's a roll of the dice who is going to be Stanford's quarterback in 2024. Entering the second season under Troy Taylor, there are Cardinal options. Ashton Daniels has talent, and Justin Lamson and Ari Patu played a little in '23, as well.

But don't forget about incoming 4-star signal-caller Elijah Brown.

This was the guy Taylor identified from the beginning, and the long-time starter at powerhouse Mater Dei is a winner who brings a pedigree of ability and leadership. He can be the face of a program.

As the Cardinal move to the ACC, they need to be much-improved from this past season, and Taylor knows that. The rebuild isn't going to be easy in the wake of the bare cupboard left by David Shaw, but Taylor is determined to fix it. Brown is the start. The coach also has high praise for Brown coming in.

How about comparison to a current NFL starter for the Cincinnati Bengals?

"He reminds me a lot of Jake Browning who I coached in high school," Taylor told SI.com's Kevin Borba. "Similar in that [they] won a lot of games, really accurate the temperament, anticipation all of those things. 42-2 as a starter...just to start four years at Mater Dei High School is quite an achievement."

Is Brown the guy? Will he get a chance right away? It's worth a look for a rebuilding program.

Cam Coleman, Auburn Wide Receiver

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There aren't many wide receivers in the 2024 class more gifted than incoming Auburn playmaker Cam Coleman.

When you factor in the window to play right away for a Tigers team needing impact skill-position players all over the offense, this is an ideal player for this list. Not only should Coleman start in '24, he should star.

The 6'3", 180-pound pass-catcher from Phenix City, Alabama, hails from the same city that has produced Clemson stars in the past like receivers Justyn Ross, E.J. Williams and defensive lineman T.J. Parker. But Coleman seemed all set on heading to Texas A&M before that coaching shake-up.

Now with him heading to the Plains, it may be an opportunity for second-year coach Hugh Freeze to break into that hotbed of talent in Phenix City. If so, the Tigers can continue to boost their recruiting profile in the Yellowhammer State.

Coleman should team with fellow high-profile receiver 5-star Perry Thompson for a formidable 1-2 punch for '24 and beyond. He has elite speed and catch radius, and he will instantly take the Tigers' offense up a tick.

He will be one of the top newcomers in a loaded SEC.

Darrion Dupree, Wisconsin Running Back

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Wisconsin received big news when injured senior Chez Mellusi announced he was coming back to Camp Randall rather than head to the NFL, and he will almost assuredly be the '24 starter.

But everybody knows you've got to have several runners to make it through a season, and with Braelon Allen off to the league, the Badgers need bodies. Coach Luke Fickell and offensive coordinator Phil Longo are bringing in a very good one.

If you're a high school running back, why wouldn't you want to play in Lincoln, as many star running backs as they've churned out? The next one may just be Darrion Dupree, a 5'10", 170-pound all-purpose runner from Chicago.

He isn't your typical big-bodied Wisconsin running back, but he's a bit more of the change-of-pace guy Longo likes. In other words, he's the perfect complement to Mellusi.

His coach in high school at Mount Carmel was former Northern Illinois legendary quarterback Jordan Lynch, so you should believe he knows talent. He told BadgerExtra's Jake Kocorowski "kids like him come around every 15 years."

Dupree is a bit undersized and more than a bit underrated, but he is going to be a player for the Badgers, maybe as soon as next year. Watch out for ways to get him the ball.

Ike Garcia, Utah Offensive Lineman

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One of the most interesting teams to follow next year is going to be the Utah Utes. Yes, they had a major down season in '23, finishing 8-5 throughout an injury-riddled campaign, but they can still make some noise.

They head to the new-look Big 12 with the conference excitingly up-in-the-air, and coach Kyle Whittingham's team has just as strong of a chance as any to come out of it as the champion, especially with quarterback Cam Rising returning.

The Utes need some help on the offensive front, though. Left guard Keaton Bills is off to the NFL, and Sataoa Laumea is gone, too. So, there are position battles to be fought.

This is a good opportunity for 6'5", 280-pound Isaiah "Ike" Garcia to step in and play right away.

Whittingham has proven in the past he isn't afraid to play true freshmen. He did that with Spencer Fano this year, and he became a Freshman All-American. Garcia could slide in at several different positions and follow suit.

The Draper, Utah, prospect just missed being in the top 200 prospects (No. 203), so while he isn't as highly rated as Fano, he has the build and physicality to add 15-20 pounds and be a plug-and-play option for Whittingham.

He will at least get reps right away.

LJ McCray, Florida Defensive Lineman

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Florida desperately needs help across the board.

And while a former top-five class free-fell to 16th at the end of the cycle when a mass exodus of superstar prospects dumped the Gators for other programs, coach Billy Napier still brought in several difference-makers.

Linebackers Aaron Chiles and Myles Graham and quarterback DJ Lagway have tons of ability, but the best prospect who should jump right in and possibly even start is LJ McCray.

The 6'4.5", 275-pound athletic defensive lineman was a major coup for the Gators out of Daytona Beach (Mainland HS), Florida. He's a 5-star player who is the No. 35 overall player in the '24 class, according to the 247Sports composite rankings.

He's No. 6 overall on 247Sports, though, and that is perhaps the best ranking for him. He's a terror on the line of scrimmage, and he also has the frame to pack on 20 more pounds and not lose any of his speed or violence.

McCray was coveted by several top teams throughout his recruitment, but ultimately, Florida hung on to him, and he should be rewarded with a clear path to playing time.

Napier brought in some "dogs" on that defense, especially, and it's going to be fun to watch him develop. He may not know exactly what he's doing right away, but a talent like his cannot be denied.

Ify Obidegwu, Oregon Cornerback

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The Oregon Ducks have done an exceptional job of building their roster through elite recruiting and the transfer portal since Dan Lanning got to Eugene.

While edge-rusher Elijah Rushing would be a healthy pick here, the Ducks are loaded at the position with Jordan Burch announcing his return. They only lose one player (Mase Funa) from the position, so Rushing may have to steadily work his way into the rotation.

A clearer path to playing time may come on the back end of the defense, where Lanning went across the country to Baltimore's prestigious powerhouse program St. Frances Academy and nabbed Ify Obidegwu.

At 6'1", 185 pounds Obidegwu is long and physical and an exceptional on-ball defender. He showed out in Under Armour All-America Game practices all week, then when the game came along, he plucked a pick-six.

On the biggest high school stage yet, Obidegwu went out in style. He showed elite cover skills, and he also isn't shy tackling and can help in the run game.

In the play, you see it all—speed, ball skills, coverage. That's the package the Ducks are getting. He's going to be a good one.

Zaquan Patterson, Miami Safety

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When you're doing these exercises in "instant-impact ability," you don't just randomly pick guys who are going somewhere where the position is loaded with talent. You identify places where top players are exiting and opportunity abounds.

Last year, you could see the flashing "vacancy" sign at Miami along the offensive front, and Francis Mauigoa became a phenom right away. Samson Okunlola was firmly in the rotation, too, until a midseason injury.

This year, the Hurricanes are losing Kam Kinchens and James Williams to the NFL draft, and while getting Vanderbilt transfer Savion Riley is a nice pull from the portal, they will need more. Zaquan Patterson is a great option to step in and play.

The 6'0", 185-pound back-end defender prepped at powerhouse Chaminade-Madonna in nearby Hollywood, Florida, and he is heading to Coral Gables with designs on getting in the rotation.

His calling card is physicality on the back end, where he can come in and resolidify some of the "turnover chain" mentality that has been missing during the Mario Cristobal era.

Patterson needs some help in coverage, but he showed well during All-American Bowl practices, and he could step right in and be a weapon. Is he the same type of prospect that Williams was when he came in? Maybe not, but he still has a lot of upside.

It's going to be fun to watch him develop, and he may take the stage in '24.

Dylan Raiola, Nebraska Quarterback

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Dylan Raiola's last-minute flip from Georgia to Nebraska was some of the biggest news of the recruiting cycle, right up there with KJ Bolden dumping Florida State for the Dawgs.

We're talking about the top-rated quarterback on 247Sports and the second-ranked quarterback in the composite dumping the top-ranked class and the heavy-hitting Bulldogs at the 11th hour and going to a place that hasn't won in eons.

Of course, the Raiolas have Cornhusker red in their blood. Raiola's father, Dominic, was a standout with the Huskers and became a 14-year NFL veteran.

So, while the younger Raiola's recruitment meandered from an early pledge to Ohio State to a long-time commitment to Georgia, his winding up at his family's proverbial collegiate "home" wouldn't be surprising, other than the fact he moved to Buford (Georgia) High School to play his final season.

With Chubba Purdy and Jeff Sims in the transfer portal and supposedly leaving Lincoln, that leaves Heinrich Haarberg as the most experienced and favorite to win the job. He took the most snaps in '23, anyway.

But can he hold off a strong-armed, big-bodied, high-profile talent like the 5-star Raiola? Not without becoming a better all-around player. Also, don't forget about another talented signee, Daniel Kaelin, who could vie for the starting job.

The prediction here is Raiola is too talented to keep out of the starting lineup at some point next season, and he's the future of Matt Rhule's program. This was the kick-start commit Nebraska needed.

Ellis Robinson IV, Georgia Cornerback

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The two most college-ready defensive backs in the 2024 recruiting class are heading to the Georgia Bulldogs.

They pulled off the flip of the entire cycle when long-time Florida State safety commitment KJ Bolden decided to stay home and play for the Dawgs, and he could get on the field early for Kirby Smart. But Ellis Robinson IV will be impossible to keep off it.

He is already the total package, a shutdown defender who has the size, speed and length to step right in and start Day 1 on a national title contender.

According to On3's Charles Power, there was one day of Under Armour practice where Robinson had three interceptions. Yes, that's just shell sessions, and yes we're talking about practice. But it just shows you his immense skill set and nose for the ball.

With several of the nation's top pass-catchers on hand and participating, the 6'1", 185-pound New York native who prepped at IMG Academy routinely dominated them all. He has size, length, arm length and ball skills.

There's nothing he can't do, and even on a team with as much depth and talent as the Bulldogs, it's hard to envision a scenario where he isn't at least in the two-deep rotation in 2024. He looks special and has those skills.

Jordan Ross, Tennessee Edge

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The Tennessee Vols are going to have one of the top edge-rushers in the nation in 2024 in rising junior James Pearce, who wreaked havoc against Iowa in the Citrus Bowl to cap a fantastic breakout season.

Who is going to play opposite him?

While Joshua Josephs is going to have plenty of reps, and coach Josh Heupel has done a good job recruiting the position, incoming 5-star Jordan Ross may be too talented to keep off the field in Rocky Top.

It's not every day an SEC team swoops into the heart of Alabama and plucks a 5-star prospect, but Ross hails from Vestavia Hills outside of Birmingham, and while he's the nation's third-ranked edge according to the 247Sports composite, he's the No. 1 player at his position on 247Sports.

He was a disruptive force in the Under Armour All-America game, showing elite burst and body lean off the edge. He can flat-out get to quarterbacks, and you have to believe he's going to find a way onto the field at least in rabbit packages.

Veteran defensive line coach Rodney Garner has proven he isn't scared to play the youngsters if they earn their way there, and Ross is a relentless worker with major upside. It's going to be tough blocking him and Pearce when they're on the field at the same time.

Jordan Seaton, Colorado Offensive Lineman

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Jordan Seaton shocked a lot of folks in recruiting circles when he chose Colorado a bit out of the blue instead of Tennessee, Alabama or Oregon.

Coach Deion Sanders got one of the most college-ready offensive tackles in the recruiting class when he decided to head to Boulder, too. Though he balked at signing papers, he ultimately did in the early cycle, and that is huge news for the Buffs.

Why? Simply put: They desperately need help blocking for Shedeur Sanders. The only team that allowed more than Colorado's 56 sacks a season ago was Old Dominion with 62. Sanders was a dynamic talent, but he ran for his life all year.

Seaton can help. He is a terrific pass-blocker.

The 6'5", 287-pound offensive tackle has the ability to step in and play right away. As a 5-star prospect, doing so would only continue to raise Coach Prime's clout among prospects, even if that star faded a bit as Colorado struggled throughout the year.

The only question is where does Seaton fit with so much transfer portal movement for the Buffaloes? They are bringing in 20 players (already, with more likely to come) and with Phillip Houston (FIU), Tyler Johnson (Houston), Yakiri Walker (UConn), Kahlil Benson (Indiana) and Justin Mayers (UTEP) coming in, Sanders is revamping his entire line.

Still, Seaton is the type of talent who has to fit in somewhere. Look for him to slot in at left tackle.

Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State Wide Receiver

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It seems that for the past several years, Ohio State has had the market cornered on elite wide receivers.

Offensive coordinator Brian Hartline has the golden tongue when it comes to getting top pass-catchers in the fold, and after the Buckeyes secured the top class at the position in last year's cycle, they did it again.

The standout of the bunch is Jeremiah Smith, the nation's No. 1-ranked overall player and Zaquan Patterson's teammate at Chaminade-Madonna Prep. The 6'3", 214-pound receiver can do it all, and as you can see in the picture above, he is blessed with a big frame and long arms.

Smith already has drawn comparisons to former Alabama and Atlanta Falcons great Julio Jones, and you can see why. He is big, physical, fast and a can't-miss prospect. It wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility to see him step right into Marvin Harrison Jr.'s shoes in '24.

With Harrison and Emeka Egbuka off to the NFL, Julian Fleming transferring to Penn State and Noah Rogers moving on to North Carolina State, there are vacated catches to be had in Columbus.

Entering an urgent-need year for coach Ryan Day, Ohio State fans want to start seeing championships again, and Kansas State quarterback Will Howard is transferring in to try to lead the way.

Smith may wind up being one of the guys around which the passing game centers.

David Stone, Oklahoma Defensive Tackle

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The best defensive line recruit in the country is David Stone, and it's massive for the Oklahoma Sooners defense that the 6'4", 275-pound athlete is headed to Norman to help try to transform the unit.

In this analyst's estimation, Stone narrowly edges LJ McCray and Missouri commit Williams Nwaneri as the top defensive lineman from the 2024 class, and Stone's athleticism allows him to play most anywhere across the D-line.

He is blessed with violent hands and is tremendous at the point of attack. There's nothing sloppy about his size, and he could actually stand to gain some weight and still wouldn't miss a step.

He likely would be best as an interior bull-rusher who can eat up running plays and collapse pockets for opposing quarterbacks.

This is a Sooners team that is trying to take on the hard-nosed mentality of defensive-minded head coach Brent Venables, and new coordinator Zac Alley will hopefully do a better job of that than former coach Ted Roof.

The program was 80th in total defense in '23 and No. 60 against the run, and these are areas where a bruiser like Stone will help. He will certainly have a role, if healthy.

Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Notre Dame Linebacker

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At 6'2", 233 pounds, you'd think Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa would be a run-stopping, stopgap middle linebacker who will fit into the middle of Notre Dame's defense once he spends some time in a collegiate weight program.

But then he went to the Under Armour All-America Game and turned heads with his athleticism.

Suddenly, he looks like a versatile, all-around second-level defender who can play on the interior but has the get-up-and-go to play sideline-to-sideline. That's exactly the type of linebacker coach Marcus Freeman loves.

Like they always do, the Fighting Irish had some success recruiting California, getting Viliamu-Asa's signature from powerhouse St. John Bosco Prep in Bellflower. The sixth-rated linebacker in the nation had offers from elite programs everywhere.

He will play in South Bend, where he has the size to step up and fill holes in the run game and also has the speed to guard tight ends and be a weapon in the middle of the field.

It's extremely hard to break into the starting rotation as a first-year player at Notre Dame, but the Irish need impact linebackers to take their defense to the next level. Viliamu-Asa is an alpha at that position and maybe the most college-ready linebacker in the class.

Yes, he has that kind of all-around, instinctual talent.

Deshawn Warner, Kansas Edge

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You don't expect the Kansas Jayhawks to sign a player of Deshawn Warner's caliber, but coach Lance Leipold has turned things around at that woebegone program.

They were able to go into Goodyear, Arizona, and pull Warner out of the heart of Pac-12 territory where Oregon, USC, Arizona and Arizona State routinely recruit and convince him to come to Lawrence.

He's one of the top-rated prospects to commit to the Jayhawks in a long time. This isn't basketball, after all.

Warner is the nation's No. 231-ranked overall player according to the 247Sports composite rankings and the No. 20-rated edge.

Don't be surprised if Leipold has the Jayhawks right up there with Arizona, Utah, TCU, Kansas State and Oklahoma State in the thick of winning the "new" Big 12, and a guy with Warner's ability won't be standing on the sideline.

While Warner is a tad bit undersized with just 217 listed pounds on his 6'3" frame, he will add some weight before the season starts, and he has big-time speed and a relentless motor. With Austin Booker heading to the NFL, it makes total sense for Warner to slot in and get some of those sack opportunities.

This isn't the Jayhawks program you're used to seeing. With Leipold around, they are winning games, and Warner is proof prospects are beginning to take notice.

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All stats courtesy of CFBStats and Sports Reference unless otherwise noted. Recruit rankings courtesy of 247Sports unless otherwise noted.

Follow Brad Shepard on Twitter, @Brad_Shepard.