5-Star College Football Players Stepping into Much Larger Roles in 2024
Program-changing quarterback talent, disruptive defenders and skill-position players who would make anybody envious are among the 2023 recruits who are bound for breakout seasons in '24.
It's just a matter of time before tomorrow's stars are taking over.
If you're an avid college football follower, you know it's tough for players to be major contributors (and especially superstars) during their true freshman seasons.
Not everybody can be a Caleb Downs at Alabama, an Anthony Hill Jr. at Texas, a Francis Mauigoa at Miami or a Zachariah Branch at USC. While guys like Suntarine Perkins (Ole Miss), Duce Robinson (USC) and Peter Woods (Clemson) may become full-fledged stars in '24, they had a big enough impact this past season that they aren't included on this list.
Roles tend to grow for the really good ones in Year 2, as a year in the weight room and learning the system begin to pay off between the lines.
So, which 247Sports composite 5-stars from the 2023 recruiting class are poised to make the biggest impacts and be the breakout stars on the field in '24 as redshirt freshmen or sophomores?
Adepoju Adebawore, Oklahoma Edge
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It's going to be a pure joy to watch Oklahoma edge-rusher Adepoju Adebawore develop in Norman.
Last year, he had a difficult time staying on the field, even though he was one of the two youngsters (along with Peyton Bowen) to get early reps. Bowen blossomed into a star, and Adebawore kind of faded into the shadows.
Considering just how badly coach Brent Venables needs defensive playmakers entering SEC play in 2024, Adebawore is one of those dudes who is going to be impossible to keep off the field. He has an SEC frame and upside, and there's a reason the 6'4", 240-pound defender was the No. 11 overall player in the nation a year ago.
The Kansas City, Missouri, native wound up playing in 13 games, registering six tackles, including three for a loss and 1.5 sacks. Considering how inconsistent the Sooners were on defense, that probably speaks to how raw he was as a prospect.
But that will change in '24. Expect him to be firmly in the rotation if not a starter and to make an impact.
Jackson Arnold, Oklahoma Quarterback
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With the way coach Brent Venables has recruited, Oklahoma is set up for its conference move.
But there's not going to be a single young player with more of a burden of living up to massive 2024 expectations than rising sophomore signal-caller Jackson Arnold. Simply put, the Sooners must have their quarterback playing at a high level to sniff the College Football Playoff.
Arnold was the fourth-rated quarterback in a loaded class but the No. 8 player overall. He played at powerhouse Guyer High School in Denton, Texas, alongside Peyton Bowen, and he pushed star Dillon Gabriel all year.
Now, Gabriel is off to Oregon for his final season, and this is Arnold's team. While he struggled in a 38-24 loss to Arizona in the Alamo Bowl with three interceptions, he also threw for 361 yards and a pair of touchdowns, flashing a strong arm.
For the season, Arnold finished completing 64 percent of his passes for 563 yards, four touchdowns and three picks in mostly mop-up duty.
The stakes rise significantly in '24, and while it's a massive learning curve, Arnold has the talent and ability to respond. OU is depending on it.
Johntay Cook II, Texas Wide Receiver
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Since we're talking about the newest SEC participants, how about we move on to College Football Playoff entrant Texas, which is going to be gunning for a repeat appearance in 2024?
If the Longhorns are going to get there, they must find a way to replace the super wide receiving tandem of Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell, who are off to the NFL.
The transfer portal trio of Isaiah Bond (Alabama), Silas Bolden (Oregon State) and Matthew Golden (Houston) are going to be major weapons in quarterback Quinn Ewers' final season in Austin, but do not discount Johntay Cook II.
He was too explosive to keep off the field as a true freshman in 2024, and while he will definitely just be a cog in a many-wheeled machine for the loaded 'Horns, don't expect the DeSoto native to stand on the sideline.
He is a field-stretcher, much the way Worthy was, and though he stands just 6'0", 186 pounds, he's a burner who can take the lid off defenses. In an offense with so many weapons, if he can reach the 500-yard mark next season, that will be a massive movement.
For a player of his talent, that's certainly a possibility.
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Jalen Hale, Alabama Wide Receiver
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There's not a roster in more flux than the Alabama Crimson Tide's.
At least they are still absolutely loaded with talent, and even though a bunch of guys have entered the transfer portal since Nick Saban's abrupt retirement and Kalen DeBoer's hiring, there is still going to be a wealth of elite playmakers on the roster.
If you've watched the DeBoer-Ryan Grubb offenses at Washington the past couple of years, who wouldn't be excited to play receiver on this new-look Crimson Tide?
So, even though Isaiah Bond bolted for Texas and Ja'Corey Brooks left for Louisville, there are still plenty of guys who can slot in and earn those catches. As long as they stay in Tuscaloosa, Kendrick Law and Kobe Prentice should be the top two pass-catchers next year, but don't be surprised if Jalen Hale surges.
Though he was one of the lowest-rated 5-stars in the '23 class, the 6'1", 189-pound Longview, Texas, native caught on quickly and made some plays for the Tide this past year. Though he had just five catches for 148 yards and a touchdown, he sparked wins over Ole Miss and Kentucky with nice plays.
The Tide are going to fling the ball around, and Hale is going to blossom into a player everybody around the SEC knows by the end of the year.
Nyck Harbor, South Carolina Tight End
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There may not be a more scary-looking athlete in the 2023 recruiting class than Nyck Harbor, who surprised a bunch of pundits when he left the Washington D.C. area to play for Shane Beamer at South Carolina.
A chiseled athlete at 6'5", 241 pounds shouldn't be able to run track in the SEC and be an Olympic-caliber sprinter, but Harbor is. Now, he's just got to learn how to grasp the game of football and live up to his massive potential.
On a bad Gamecocks team, though, Harbor had glimmers of brilliance as a wide receiver but failed in consistency and couldn't stay on the field. In limited action, he had 12 catches for 195 yards and a touchdown.
Now, with Antwane "Juice" Wells off to Ole Miss and Xavier Legette gone to the NFL, Harbor is going to have to be a weapon in '24 for either Auburn transfer Robbie Ashford or LaNorris Sellers.
Even if Harbor winds up playing in a hybrid tight end/wide receiver role, Beamer has got to get him in a position where he can learn a position and blossom into the 5-star he is. The Gamecocks desperately need him to be an impact player next year.
Will he have a Luther Burden-type second-year surge? Those are high expectations. But he can make a difference with a year in the system.
Justice Haynes, Alabama Running Back
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When you sign as many 5-star players as Alabama did (nine!) in the 2023 recruiting class, you have to expect multiple impact players on this list.
While it would be a decent bet that one of the front-seven defenders such as James Smith, Qua Russaw, Keon Keeley or Yhonzae Pierre could break through, the surest bet (even more so than Jalen Hale, who is already on this list) is running back Justice Haynes.
The second-year, 5'11", 200-pound runner from powerhouse Buford (Georgia) High School got some carries in a crowded backfield that included Jase McClellan, Roydell Williams and Jam Miller.
The Crimson Tide's fifth-leading rusher finished the year with 168 yards on 25 carries and scored twice, but he led all Alabama runners with a 6.7 average.
Now, with Williams off to Florida State and McClellan headed for the NFL, you've got to expect him to get a more expanded role. He is the perfect guy to play the Dillon Johnson power-back role in Ryan Grubb's offense, and Haynes' ability cannot be denied.
When you're in a running back room in Tuscaloosa, you can expect to be surrounded by top-tier talent, but Haynes is an all-around back who has a knack for the tough yards and quality acceleration, and he's just a winner. He will be among Bama's top two rushers next year.
DJ Hicks, Texas A&M Defensive Tackle
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When Elijah Robinson was the defensive line coach at Texas A&M under Jimbo Fisher the past few years, nobody lured phenomenal players like he did.
So, new head coach Mike Elko is going to have a lot to love about some of the Aggies remaining, even if some guys like Fadil Diggs (Syracuse), Walter Nolen Jr. (Ole Miss) and LT Overton (Alabama) hit the transfer portal.
Perhaps the biggest centerpiece around which to build is DJ Hicks, who was on the cusp of breaking out during his first year in College Station, even with a crowded bunch of playmakers on the defensive front.
The 6'4", 290-pound Katy, Texas, native was a force when he got on the field, mostly as a reserve, playing in 11 games and registering 13 tackles (including six solo), two tackles for a loss of yards and a sack.
With Elko—a former Aggies defensive coordinator—now in the head man's seat, an inconsistent Aggies defense is going to get a whole lot better in a hurry. They aren't going to have any trouble recruiting, and while there may be some gaps to fill early, there is plenty of ability.
Keeping Hicks around was huge. Expect him to be one of the top defenders on the team in '24.
Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee Quarterback
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When Nico Iamaleava eschewed West Coast teams to come from his Downey, California, home to Rocky Top, it was a big deal.
After getting used to Hendon Hooker dissecting defenses in Josh Heupel's offense the past two seasons, Vols fans clamored to replace talented-but-inconsistent Joe Milton III with the true freshman former No. 3 overall player in the nation.
Still, the 5-star second-rated quarterback in the '23 class had to wait his turn. It ultimately came in Tennessee's 35-0 domination of Iowa in the Citrus Bowl, and Iamaleava didn't disappoint.
He completed 12-of-19 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 27 yards and three more scores in his first career start. Though he was sacked six times by a strong Hawkeyes defense, Iamaleava impressed with poise and flashes of ability.
At 6'6", 206 pounds, he is long, lanky and strong-armed. He can make all the passes, but he also has the long strides of a Jayden Daniels-type quarterback. And though he is far from polished and things didn't click until midway through the season, it's obvious the light came on.
Iamaleava is a natural passer and does everything so smoothly. He is the perfect athlete to run Heupel's system, and this is his show next year for the Big Orange. Expect him to put up big numbers.
Cormani McClain, Colorado Cornerback
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Deion Sanders carries a ton of recruiting clout, and he has been a major threat in flipping top-tier defensive backs, especially, given his Pro Football Hall of Fame pedigree.
First, it was Travis Hunter at Jackson State (who followed Sanders to Colorado), then last year, Coach Prime lured former Miami commitment Cormani McClain to Boulder at the eleventh hour.
His first season didn't go as expected, as Sanders told reporters McClain was "unprepared"—which is why his snaps decreased as the season progressed. Still, the talented cornerback had four starts, played in nine games and tallied 13 total tackles including six unassisted, one tackle for loss and two pass breakups.
Even so, he didn't have a very big impact, and the 6'2", 165-pound defensive back needs to get in the weight room to add bulk and the film room to add experience. Those reps he earned this past year will help him.
It would not be a surprise to see him team with Hunter to give the Buffs a formidable one-two punch at cornerback during the 2024 season.
Moving to the Big 12 will be intriguing for the Buffaloes, and McClain with a year under his belt could begin to really prove to everybody his potential can be maximized.
Malachi Nelson, Boise State Quarterback
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One season is not nearly enough of a sample to give up on a super-talented quarterback, but in the case of Malachi Nelson, it was long enough for him to decide the USC program wasn't for him.
The nation's No. 12-ranked player and fifth-rated quarterback obviously was going to be mired behind Caleb Williams on the depth chart, but he was third behind Miller Moss. So, once he got the opportunity, Nelson decided he didn't want to wait.
Now, the 6'3", 182-pound Los Alamitos, California, product will be heading to play his four seasons of eligibility at Boise State. Though he's dropping down to a Group of Five powerhouse, he is inheriting an exceptional opportunity.
With Taylen Green off to Arkansas, Nelson has a clear path to starting. He also has a terrific running back behind him in Ashton Jeanty, and with a new coaching regime leading the Broncos, it's a fresh start for everybody.
Nelson isn't anywhere close to a finished product, but his talent level is immense, and he will have every opportunity to put up big numbers right away. This is one of those golden opportunities where ability meets opportunity, so '24 could be a fun year in Boise.
Everybody should tune in to watch Nelson's development.
Samson Okunlola, Miami Offensive Tackle
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Miami's Francis Mauigoa largely grabbed the freshman offensive line headlines, not only for the Hurricanes but also nationally in 2023.
But fellow 5-star Samson Okunlola was firmly in the two-deep rotation as the backup left tackle early in the season while Mauigoa was thriving on the right side as the starter. A lower body injury suffered in early October ended Okunlola's season prematurely, but he will be back in 2024.
Don't be surprised if his exceptional size and athleticism equal a starting spot protecting Cam Ward's blind side. The 6'5", 305-pound offensive tackle from Brockton, Massachusetts, has an ocean of potential.
If he's healthy, it's going to be obvious that coach Mario Cristobal hit the 5-star jackpot in the '23 class when it comes to recruiting tackles.
"They remind me of myself," former NFL star and 'Canes legendary offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie told On3's Griffin McVeigh back before the two ever got on the field. "So, excited to meet them and see—their footwork is important—how they play. After footwork and technique, it's about mindset. So, that too."
While Mauigoa showed flashes of greatness, Okunlola's ability and athleticism was obvious, too. He will really grow and develop this offseason and have a huge '24.
Dezz Ricks, Texas A&M Defensive Back
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The Great Alabama Transfer Portal Exodus following Nick Saban's retirement is in full swing, and so far, it's been a one-way exit instead of a revolving door.
No greater positional impact will be felt than at defensive back, where the Crimson Tide are losing a wealth of talent. One of those is a late 5-star addition to the '23 class in Dezz Ricks, who didn't play except for two games, mostly on special teams.
Once he entered, it didn't take him long to find a home, committing to Mike Elko's Texas A&M Aggies after a visit there.
The 6'1", 170-pound former IMG Academy standout is likely to find a home in the two-deep depth chart in College Station, and he's probably too talented to keep off the field. Given the fact the Aggies had their own experience with departures following Jimbo Fisher getting fired, there is opportunity there.
Even though Ricks' future is bright, he won't just be handed a job with the Aggies. Elko has done bang-up work in the portal so far, and the secondary needed reinforcements and got them.
They are bringing in cornerbacks Jaydon Hill (Florida), BJ Mayes (UAB), Will Lee III (Kansas State) and Donovan Saunders (Cal Poly), along with Trey Jones (Central Michigan), De'Rickey Wright (Vanderbilt) and Marcus Ratcliffe (San Diego State) at safety.
Even with all that talent, Ricks' talent will be too great to keep him off the field. Look for him to carve out a big role in '24.
Hykeem Williams, Florida State Wide Receiver
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Florida State is going to need to find a way to fill the targets vacated by departing pass-catchers Keon Coleman, Johnny Wilson, Jaheim Bell and Kyle Morlock in 2024.
While Malik Benson (Alabama) and Jalen Brown (LSU) certainly will be part of the answer, and you can never discount coach Mike Norvell being done when it comes to portal time, the Seminoles have a potential X-factor waiting to make the most of his opportunity.
Hykeem Williams is a 6'2", 208-pound, big-bodied pass-catcher from Fort Lauderdale who has a lot of ability, and though he had a hard time cracking the rotation of a deep and talented receiving corps, it's just a matter of getting the chance. He's too talented to fumble it once it comes.
The nation's No. 4-ranked wide receiver from the '23 class spurned overtures from several other top-tier programs to stay firm with the Seminoles. He had a long way to go, despite his ranking on sheer athleticism and ability.
"When he first got here, he couldn't even do conditioning," former FSU quarterback Jordan Travis told the Tallahassee Democrat's Ehsan Kassim this past season in October.
He caught just five passes for 80 yards and a touchdown a year ago, but with a year in the system and being a year older, it's his time.
Fellow sophomore Destyn Hill and sophomore Vandrevius Jacobs will be firmly in the mix, too, but Williams is the one with elite potential.
Raylen Wilson, Georgia Linebacker
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CJ Allen was a true freshman revelation for the Georgia Bulldogs in 2023, but with the way coach Kirby Smart is recruiting all across the defense, it's just a matter of time before others step up, too.
A perfect example of a dynamic athlete with ceiling-level potential is Raylen Wilson, who spurned Michigan and committed to Georgia. Even with a deep, talented defense, the 6'1", 225-pound second-level defender is poised to break out.
With Jamon Dumas-Johnson off to Kentucky, opportunity abounds. This past year, Wilson injured his knee in preseason practice, and though he was never 100 percent, he still worked his way onto the field.
He's excited about what a healthy 2024 could look like. "I'll be moving better," Wilson told UGASports' Jason Butt. "That's the main thing, and I'm looking forward to that."
He finished the year with 15 tackles and a half-sack, playing sporadically in 11 games for the SEC runner-up Dawgs. While Allen was a superstar first-year player and contributed too much to be considered for this list, Wilson is only beginning to scratch the surface.
Now, he's got a path to get on the field more alongside Allen, and the tandem could give UGA the best linebacker duo in the league.
Da'Shawn Womack, LSU Outside Linebacker
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A year ago, the LSU Tigers enjoyed a megastar true freshman outside linebacker/edge-rusher in Harold Perkins, who burst onto the scene and was a revelation in 2022.
Though Da'Shawn Womack didn't have exactly that same type of elite impact in '23, the Baltimore, Maryland, native looks like he is catching on quite nicely on the Bayou. It's just a matter of time before he becomes an impact defender for a team that desperately needs them.
Brian Kelly has replaced Matt House with a terrific defensive coordinator in former Missouri defensive play-caller Blake Baker. Getting Bo Davis (defensive line) and Corey Raymond (defensive backs) back in Baton Rouge certainly could help the Tigers transform the defense.
Womack is a centerpiece around which they need to build, along with Perkins. Toward the end of the season, he began to get a few more reps and finished the year with 13 tackles, including 1.5 for a loss, 1.5 sacks and a fumble recovery.
Before the bowl game, Kelly talked about unleashing Womack a little more to LSU Tiger Wire's Tyler Nettuno.
"It's time to come out of the oven, right?" he said. "You keep them in there for so long, then it's time to play. We feel like it's time for him to play. We're going to put him in a position where we think he can help us. He's done a really good job this year of maturing."
Next step is breakout out.
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.
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