There were plenty of successful transfer debuts in Week 1, namely Miami's Cam Ward and Notre Dame's Riley Leonard quarterbacking their teams to victories on the road at hostile SEC stadiums.
What about some true freshman debuts?
Here are five that stood out and portend bright futures for the rest of this season and beyond.
Top Five Freshman Debuts In Week 1
Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State wide receiver
The hype was off the charts during the offseason for Smith, who was the No. 1 rated player in the nation by the 247 Composite ratings. He did not disappoint in his first game with the Buckeyes, finishing with six catches, 92 yards, and two touchdowns. One of those catches was a 45-yard one-hander that set up Ohio State’s first touchdown of the third quarter.
He caught that with one hand 🤯
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) August 31, 2024
Jeremiah Smith continues to add to his impressive @OhioStateFB debut.#B1GFootball on CBS 📺 pic.twitter.com/c0NShHyWEW
These plays were made against Akron with the Buckeyes as 50-point favorites, but he still made the most catches, had the most yards, and scored the most touchdowns on a loaded team. On one of his touchdowns in the red zone, the Buckeyes lined up three receivers on the left and Smith on the right to isolate him for a slant. He scored on the play. Those are the things you do for your WR1. Expect Smith to put up numbers even the string of Ohio State WR first-rounders have not put up has true freshmen.
MORE: College Football Playoff bracketology entering Week 2
Dylan Raiola, Nebraska quarterback
He’s brought some Patrick Mahomes comparisons onto himself, but he came through in Game 1 as the designated Nebraska Savior on Saturday. Raiola told Huskers fans to “buckle up” ahead of his debut, and he performed. Raiola was 19-of-27 for 238 yards and two pretty touchdowns before exiting one drive into the third quarter of a 40-7 win over UTEP. It was the first Week 1 win for Nebraska in five years. Raiola, who committed to both Ohio State and Georgia before flipping to his father’s alma mater, set the stage for a big matchup with Shedeur Sanders and Colorado in Week 2. Raiola will work his way into appointment viewing nationally as he tries to make relevant a program that has been missing for years.
MORE: Grading quarterback debuts from Week 1
Anthonie Knapp, Notre Dame left tackle
Yep, Notre Dame sent out a true freshman at left tackle for its opener at Texas A&M, part of an inexperienced offensive line that had just six career starts across the starting five. However, Knapp and the line stood up to the pressure, not allowing a sack against SN Preseason All-American Nic Scourton and Co., in a 23-13 victory. Knapp, who beat out Tosh Baker after projected starter Charles Jagusah was lost for the season in camp, allowed one pressure in 36 dropbacks and earned an 82.3 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus. The Irish also ran for two touchdowns in the Texas heat, the second of which Knapp sprung with a key block at the second level. He is the third true freshman to start Game 1 as an ND left tackle. The previous two (Sam Young, Blake Fisher) both went on to the NFL.
Ryan Williams, Alabama wide receiver
Williams was another highly anticipated freshman wide receiver, and he showed out quickly for the Crimson Tide. He made just two first-half catches for the game, but both went for long touchdowns in Alabama’s 63-0 win over Western Kentucky. Williams’ first came on a 3rd-and-13 when he hauled in an 84-yard bomb where he was open by 10 yards. The second was a 55-yarder he caught 20 yards downfield, broke a tackle, and headed into the end zone. Two catches, 139 yards, two touchdowns. Not a bad debut. He will face his first Power 4 defense in Week 3 at Wisconsin. It remains to be seen if he will be Jalen Milroe's top target all season, but teams will be very aware of his big-play ability each week.
🚨🚨THIS KID IS INSANE🚨🚨
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) September 1, 2024
Alabama 17-YEAR-OLD wide receiver Ryan Williams is off to an INSANE START in his college football career.
• 139 Yards
• 2 TOUCHDOWNS
HE IS STILL MEANT TO BE IN HIGH SCHOOL 🤯pic.twitter.com/2OMGOCbfXC
Sire Gaines, Boise State running back
Ashton Jeanty got all the headlines for his 267-yard, 6-touchdown performance against Georgia Southern, but Boise State had another running back to keep an eye on. A three-star signee from Perris, Calif., Sire Gaines did more than just spell Jeanty when he needed a breather. Gaines picked up 110 yards on just 12 carries, averaging 9.2 yards per pop. He added three catches for 44 yards. He also scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns just two minutes apart – a 38-yard run and a 17-yard reception. Jeanty will eat up a majority of the touches, but Gaines is a big-time threat when Jeanty is off the field. Power 4 programs have got to already be tampering with the freshman, no?
