Crimson Tide freshman Ryan Williams, which everyone is well aware of, is just 17 years old. He ended his first season in Tuscaloosa with 45 catches for 857 yards and eight touchdowns.
That was plenty enough for On3 to name Williams a part of their True Freshman All-American Team for the 2024 season.
Williams was the only Alabama player to make the list but was one of 10 SEC freshmen to be featured on the team. Fellow Alabamian Cam Coleman, who stars for rival Auburn, was also highlighted after he matched Williams with eight touchdowns.
Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith, who was ranked as the No. 1 player coming out of high school, trumped both Williams and Coleman as he was named On3’s True Freshman Offensive Player of the Year.
Smith broke records with his 57 catches, 934 yards, and 10 touchdowns for the Buckeyes. Although the Big Ten did produce the offensive player of the year, the SEC won out on the defensive end, with South Carolina EDGE rusher Dylan Stewart being crowned the Defensive True Freshman of the Year.
Another former five-star, Stewart, generated 48 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. That’s 21 more pressures than the next true freshman pass-rusher.
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