Week 1 of school soccer was a powerful begin to the 2024 season, with a few top-25 matchups highlighting the slate of video games.
One different main takeaway has been the emergence of a number of true freshmen, with quite a few gamers rapidly getting up to the mark and shining on the school stage.
After a powerful Week 1, who’re 5 true freshmen to observe in Week 2 of school soccer? We break it down for you.
Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola
We now have to begin with the highest quarterback within the 2024 class: Nebraska five-star Dylan Raiola.
Seen because the probably starter since he got here onto campus, the true freshman led the best way for Nebraska in a 40-7 victory over UTEP, throwing for 238 yards and two touchdowns on 19 of 27 passing.
Amongst his highlights was an exquisite ball within the bucket down the sideline to switch receiver Isaiah Neyor, which went for a 59-yard landing.
Later, with the clock winding down within the first half, Raiola had one other excellent cross, hitting switch wideout Jahmal Banks for a 21-yard backshoulder landing.
Heading into Week 2, Raiola will likely be on the middle of one of many extra high-profile matchups of the half, as Nebraska will face off towards Colorado at Memorial Stadium, getting into the sport as a seven-point favourite.
Can Raiola outduel Heisman candidate Shedeur Sanders? He’ll get the chance to take action, main a revamped Nebraska offense that already seems to be higher than than inconsistent efficiency they put collectively in 2023.
Alabama WR Ryan Williams
Seventeen-year-old five-star phenom Ryan Williams began his Alabama profession in electrical vogue. His statline from Sport 1?
Two catches, 139 yards, two touchdowns.
Williams led the best way for the Crimson Tide pass-catchers, accumulating 139 of the 266 passing yards by Alabama quarterbacks, with each of his touchdowns coming from Jalen Milroe.
The wideout’s first landing was a significant one, as Jalen Milroe discovered him on an 84-yard bomb down the sidelines within the first quarter, taking Alabama up 21-0.
Williams then caught a 55-yard landing to finish the half to cap off his electrical debut towards Western Kentucky.
Now in Week 2, Williams will look to proceed his robust begin when Alabama hosts rising program South Florida at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday.
Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith
Essentially the most highly-touted recruit in your complete 2024 class, Jeremiah Smith got here out even stronger than many anticipated in Week 1 for the Ohio State Buckeyes.
The five-star true freshman went for 92 yards and two touchdowns on six catches, main all Ohio State receivers in a room that features projected first-round choose Emeka Egbuka and former five-star recruit Carnell Tate.
Smith bought probably the most quantity and yardage from quarterback Will Howard, whereas making quite a few spotlight performs alongside the best way, together with this unbelievable one-handed catch that arrange a landing for Ohio State.
Now in Week 2, Smith will get one other favorable matchup, as Ohio State will host Western Michigan on Saturday at Ohio Stadium.
The query turns into: Will he proceed to cement his standing as the highest receiver for the Buckeyes?
Notre Dame OT Anthonie Knapp
One of many greater storylines that developed over the offseason was 2024 four-star Anthonie Knapp incomes the beginning left deal with job for Notre Dame as a real freshman.
That call was going to be watched, as true freshman offensive linemen normally have their justifiable share of rising pains when given the beginning job, particularly at a deal with spot.
Properly, Knapp undoubtedly impressed in his first recreation, as he allowed only one stress on 36 dropbacks towards a tricky opponent within the Irish’s Week 1 win over Texas A&M.
There have been some robust moments, comparable to a (controversial) holding penalty that he was referred to as for towards star defender Nic Scourton, nevertheless it was nonetheless an excellent efficiency for the true freshman.
He’ll get a better task in Week 2 when Notre Dame hosts Northern Illinois on Saturday, as he’ll look to enhance on his first ever recreation working alongside one of many extra inexperienced offensive traces within the nation.
South Carolina DE Dylan Stewart
In one of the dominant debuts ever, South Carolina defensive finish Dylan Stewart had a monster week one efficiency, going for six pressures, 4 tackles, two sacks, and two compelled fumbles within the Gamecocks’ 23-19 win over Previous Dominion.
A five-star edge rusher within the 2024 class, Stewart made a right away affect for his new group and was an especially essential presence within the shut Week 1 recreation, single-handedly killing a number of drives for Previous Dominion’s offense and organising landing drives for South Carolina.
Stewart was PFF’s highest-graded defender in Week 1, no matter age and place, displaying how huge of a efficiency his debut was.
South Carolina’s SEC schedule begins with a significant recreation in Week 2, as they’ll journey to face the Kentucky Wildcats, who simply gained their season opener 31-0 towards Southern Mississippi.
Can Stewart proceed the momentum and make a huge impact as soon as once more for the Gamecocks? We’ll see when the 2 groups face off on Saturday afternoon.
