With the 2024 college football season already under way, and a wave of talent coming through, who is going to be featuring on the headlines of the sports pages, video highlights, blogs and social media streams this season?
In no particular order, here are the players I'll be following closely this season. There are some familiar faces, returning talent and two true freshmen who have impressed in spring training camps and look set to start...
Top 10 players to watch
Travis Hunter - CB/WR, Colorado
A rare two-way talent, Travis Hunter was the first No.1 high school recruit to go to the FCS, lured away from a scholarship at Florida State by his mentor and then Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders. Having followed Sanders to Colorado, he has shown flashes of his considerable talent and hauled in five touchdowns while making three interceptions on the other side of the ball.
Hunter hauled in three touchdowns from seven catches and 132 receiving yards in Colorado's season opening 31-26 win over North Dakota on Friday night.
If he stays injury-free this year, watch him fly. Pencil in 19th October when Hunter will be lined up against the outstanding Arizona receiver Tetairoa McMillan.
Quinn Ewers - QB, Texas
A repeat from last year's players to watch. I had the privilege of watching Texas-Alabama in Austin in 2022 and seeing Quinn Ewers play. Now with 22 games started under his belt, the Longhorns quarterback is improving significantly year on year. His arm strength and flexibility is elite, but could use more fincsse. If a 69% completion rate, six games with over 300 yards' passing and 3,479 yards for the 2023 season can be surpassed, and he can remain clear of injuries, Ewers could take Texas a step further, a place in the national championship final.
Benjamin Morrison - CB, Notre Dame
A shutdown corner who shot to prominence in his freshman year with six interceptions, Morrison is entering his third season for the Fighting Irish,
Three interceptions and ten pass break ups added to his burgeoning reputation. Expect him to be a standout performer for a rapidly improving Notre Dame team.
Caleb Downs - S, Ohio State
Downs was the Shaun Alexander college football freshman of the year at Alabama last year with 107 tackles, 13 alone against LSU, and interceptions against Texas A&M and Mississippi State. Following Nick Saban's departure, Ohio State wooed Downs and persuaded him to move to Columbus in a statement signing.
For all the hype surrounding the Buckeyes' captures of Will Howard, Quinshon Judkins and new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, it is the sophomore safety sensation that could tip the Buckeyes over the edge to a national championship.
Jeremiah Smith - WR, Ohio State
Marvin Harrison, Jr. featured on this list last year before following a great line of Buckeye receivers - Chris Olave (Saints), Garrett Wilson (Jets), Terry McLaurin (Commanders) and Jaxson Smith-Njigba (Seahawks) -to the NFL. Ohio State seem to have found his heir apparent in the No.1 overall high school recruit in the 2024 recruiting class, Jeremiah Smith.
The 6'3", 220lb freshman, cousin of NFL quarterback Geno Smith, has been turning heads in training camp with some dazzling displays. Lining up alongside talented receiving duo Emeka Egbuka and Carnell Tate, he could outshine both.
Jalen Milroe - QB, Alabama
After a rocky start to his Alabama career, Milroe became a real dual threat, leading Alabama to a last minute win in the Iron Bowl and a place in the then-four team playoff. The junior quarterback passed for 23 touchdowns, and ran in a further 12.
Milroe is a superb athlete with a strong arm. The arrival of Kalen DeBoer in Tuscaloosa will help improve his decision making and accuracy, look at what he did for Michael Penix, Jr. in Washington.
Will Johnson - CB, Michigan
Arguably the best cornerback in college football, Johnson, the 6'2", 202lb junior, is coming off a memorable season where he was a big factor in Michigan's national championship success, winning the Defensive MVP award in the process, having sealed the game with an interception early in the second quarter.
Johnson has seven career interceptions and can expect to add to these. Expect him to be the first defensive back taken in April's NFL Draft.
Harold Perkins - LB, Louisiana State
Still just 19 years old, Harold Perkins, Jr impressed again in his sophomore year after dominating as a freshman, finishing his first season with 7.5 sacks, 72 tackles and an interception. He added 5.5 sacks and an interception last season.
Perkins is a nightmare match up for offensive coordinators, lining up on the interior and exterior. Look for him to terrorise SEC defenses again this season in Baton Rouge.
Dylan Raiola - QB, Nebraska
Raiola, the No.1 quarterback in the 2024 recruiting class, had previously committed to Ohio State and Georgia before following family connections to sign up to the University of Nebraska. The 6'3" 220lb true freshman has been named as Nebraska's starting quarterback by head coach Matt Rhule. The Cornhuskers take on UTEP in their season opener.
Luther Burden III - WR, Missouri
Burden was my pick on the Across The Pond College Football podcast as this year's winner of the Biletnikoff Award, given for the best receiver in college football.
Burden's sophomore year, catching 86 passes for 1,212 yards, has caught the attention of both opposing SEC coaches and NFL draft analysts. Burden started the season with a touchdown catch in No.11 Missouri's 51-0 rout of Murray State on Friday night. He could be the first receiver off the board in April's NFL Draft.
Across The Pond College Football podcast:
In the latest episode, Tony and I chew over Georgia Tech's upset win over Florida State and pick our players to watch this season. We make their predictions for the Power Four conference winners, playoff contenders and who wins the national championship. After mulling over the end of season individual award winners, we look ahead at the games to watch in Week 1.
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