NFL Draft can wait: 5 true freshmen who are already dominating college football-ZoomTech News

Within the scouting world, we’re all the time in search of the most recent sensation. This 12 months, faculty soccer is providing loads of choices with true freshmen rating amongst a few of this 12 months’s most exhilarating performers.

Earlier than breaking down the who’s who amongst our October record of the Prime 5 freshmen in faculty soccer — full with scouting stories and participant comps — it’s price explaining why many first-year gamers are making such a direct influence.

[Related: Why Colorado’s Travis Hunter is an unprecedented NFL Draft prospect]

Definitely, the gamers themselves deserve a substantial amount of credit score. Superior coaching and training at the highschool (and even earlier) ranges have additionally made an simple influence.

Maybe much more vital are the brand new guidelines of as we speak’s faculty soccer. Coaches now not have the posh of redshirting supremely gifted underclassmen within the hopes of saving them for future seasons. These gamers now have the choice of transferring elsewhere seeking extra rapid enjoying time or NIL alternatives.

That was the case, for instance, with Pitt’s quarterback Eli Holstein, who started his faculty profession at Alabama. And whereas Holstein has been spectacular, he and different redshirt freshmen (like Texas’ Arch Manning and Tennessee’s Nico Iamaleava are technically of their second seasons on the faculty stage and had been, due to this fact, excluded from this text.

Solely one of the best of one of the best first-year freshmen had been eligible right here. And far to the chagrin of NFL scouts, which means they’re not less than two extra full seasons away from the draft. However that does not imply the remainder of us cannot take pleasure in them.

Right here is our have a look at the highest 5 freshmen you merely should see to imagine.

Gamers are listed in alphabetical order by final identify. Heights and weights listed had been supplied by their colleges. 

Dylan Raiola, QB, Nebraska, 6-3, 230

Coming off of the worst statistical efficiency of his younger profession (13-for-27 for 134 yards and no touchdowns with an interception), it could have been simple to drop Raiola from this record. To take action, nonetheless, can be to disregard the thrill that the Husker legacy has introduced again to Lincoln, guiding Nebraska to a 5-1 begin, together with Saturday’s convention win over a gritty and beforehand undefeated Rutgers squad. By way of six video games, Raiola is finishing 66.9% of his passes for 1,358 yards and 9 touchdowns with three interceptions.

The 5 victories already equal final 12 months’s whole for a once-proud Nebraska program that has not loved a successful season since 2016. His father, Dominic, was a middle at Nebraska from 1997-2000, serving to the Huskers win the nationwide championship as a redshirt freshman.

It stays to be seen if the younger Raiola can match his father’s success within the NFL. Dominic was the fiftieth total choice in 2001 and began 203 video games over 14 seasons for the Detroit Lions.

Scouting report: Dylan already possesses a pro-caliber body with loads of arm energy. He actually layers the ball properly on throws that require contact, feathering the ball excessive of defenders and main his receivers to open area. For a younger quarterback, he exhibits spectacular consciousness as properly, deftly wanting off protection earlier than firing correct lobs downfield. 

Participant comp: Carrying No. 15 in purple will virtually absolutely draw some comparisons to Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ famous person Patrick Mahomes, however when it comes to each measurement and throwing type, Raiola jogs my memory extra of a younger Jameis Winston.

Colin Simmons, Edge, Texas, 6-3, 245

So long as Steve Sarkisian is looking the performs in Austin, it is going to virtually absolutely be offensive gamers (like Manning or wideout Ryan Wingo) producing many of the buzz across the Longhorns, however do not overlook Simmons within the group’s ascent to No. 1 total within the newest polls.

The silky-smooth Dallas native leads the Longhorns in each tackles for loss (six) and sacks (4) within the early season, recording 18 tackles by the primary 5 video games. He was terrific in Texas’ SEC residence debut in opposition to Mississippi State within the Longhorns’ final recreation, setting career-highs with seven stops total, in addition to three tackles for loss, two sacks and a pressured fumble.

Scouting report: It is early, however Simmons already flashes the burst, bend and alter of path to mission as a longtime difference-maker within the NFL. He instances the snap properly and enhances his velocity with a extremely efficient counter inside. 

Participant comp: It would rile up Longhorns followers to match their younger star to a former rival, however I see shades of a younger Von Miller (who starred at Texas A&M) in Simmons’ recreation.

Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State, 6-3, 215

Few applications constantly churn out NFL prospects like Ohio State. That’s very true at extensive receiver, the place the Buckeyes have had a staggering 13 gamers drafted up to now 10 years, together with the final 4 within the first spherical. And the scary factor is none of them loved the rapid success of Smith, who has hauled in six touchdowns (on 23 catches for 453 yards) over the primary 5 video games of his faculty profession.

On this period of hyperbole, prospects are sometimes characterised as “professional prepared” lengthy earlier than they’re, however together with his prototypical measurement and chiseled body, Smith already seems to be the a part of an NFL veteran. It’s simple to see why the Miami Gardens native was the consensus top-rated prep no matter place final spring and has shot up the depth chart for a nationwide title contending Buckeyes squad.

Scouting report: Smith’s measurement and velocity mixture make him an apparent mismatch, however he additionally possesses spectacular physique management and really robust palms. As you’ll be able to see above, he’s already a one-handed snag specialist.

Participant comp: His capability to twirl, pluck, break tackles and go away opponents in his wake jogs my memory of the Philadelphia Eagles’ standout AJ Brown.

Dylan Stewart, Edge, South Carolina, 6-6, 248

You may should excuse Gamecocks’ followers for crowing early, however South Carolina hasn’t boasted an edge rusher with this type of juice since Jadeveon Clowney, the No. 1 total choice a decade in the past. 

Stewart signed with South Carolina amid nice fanfare, touring from Friendship Collegiate Academy in Washington D.C. as one of many extra extremely touted defenders within the nation. He is actually lived as much as his billing up to now, recording 12 tackles in 5 video games, with half of them coming behind the road of scrimmage, together with 3.5 sacks and two pressured fumbles. Stewart was one of many few shiny spots for South Carolina in final week’s ugly 27-3 loss to Ole Miss, recording three tackles for loss and a sack.

Scouting report: Like his predecessor Clowney, Stewart boasts a uncommon mixture of top and explosiveness off the sting. He can beat tackles with a pure velocity rush, greasing the nook like he is lathered in Crisco. He’s additionally extremely bodily, pushing would-be blockers into the lap of their quarterback with a easy bull rush. Maybe better of all, he is surprisingly polished already. Simply watch the coordination above between his slap, shoulder dip and shut on this move rush, for instance.

Participant comp: Stewart’s mixture of top, burst, bend and energy jogs my memory of a younger Montez Sweat at Mississippi State. Right here’s a scary thought for opponents, nonetheless: Stewart is considerably extra superior at this level in his faculty profession than Sweat, a former first spherical decide and 2023 Professional Bowler with 43.5 profession sacks.

Ryan Williams, WR, Alabama, 6-1, 165

His final identify would possibly go away him final on the record for this text, however no matter place, Alabama’s 17-year-old star pass-catcher simply could be probably the most spectacular freshman within the nation over the primary half of the 2024 season.

It’s simple to enterprise into hyperbole with Williams, who’s averaging a staggering 28.6 yards per reception over his first 5 video games, hauling in six touchdowns throughout that span. And make no mistake, this is not Williams feasting on lower-level competitors. Williams loved his finest recreation in opposition to Georgia, snagging six grabs for 177 yards and, as you’ll be able to see beneath, the game-sealing landing in opposition to the Bulldogs.

Scouting report: Just like the others on this record, Williams isn’t any shock to scouts. Whereas he’s technically the youngest participant in D-I soccer, Williams signed with the Crimson Tide because the two-time Mr. Alabama as a prep. His uncommon acceleration, physique management and gentle palms have already made him a featured weapon in Kalen DeBoer’s high-octane offense. 

Participant comp: Given his slight body, savvy past his years and Alabama pedigree, Williams will certainly draw loads of comparisons to Alabama’s Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith. For these a technology older, there are similarities to a younger Marvin Harrison (the Corridor of Famer, not his rookie son), as properly.

Rob Rang is an NFL Draft analyst for FOX Sports activities. He has been overlaying the NFL Draft for greater than 20 years, with work at FOX, Sports activities Illustrated, CBSSports.com, USA At the moment, Yahoo, NFL.com and NFLDraftScout.com, amongst others. He additionally works as a scout with the BC Lions of the Canadian Soccer League. Comply with him on Twitter @RobRang.

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