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F Football

4 min read

4 July 2024

Final season marked a down yr for freshman receivers within the SEC as Florida’s Eugene Wilson III was the one wideout from the Class of 2023 within the league to catch greater than 25 passes. Simply 4 freshman receivers totaled 15 or extra grabs, and all of them performed for groups that completed with dropping data.

Count on a special look in 2024 in what’s shaping as much as be a major bounce-back season for freshmen receivers. It ought to look extra like 2022 when 9 true freshman receivers caught 15 or extra passes for SEC groups.

That class included extremely touted prospects comparable to Evan Stewart (Texas A&M, now at Oregon), Luther Burden (Missouri) and Barion Brown (Kentucky), all of which burst onto the scene with 40 or extra catches. Others comparable to Alabama’s Kobe Prentice and Isaiah Bond (now at Texas) and Georgia’s Dillon Bell additionally made significant contributions as true freshmen for high-caliber groups in 2022.

So, who’re the freshman receivers to observe from the convention for 2024? Here is the rundown of the most important names to know:

Cam Coleman, Auburn

247Sports place rating: 2

Auburn has been determined for a star receiver for years. It might lastly have one now in Coleman, who does not flip 18 till August. The Phenix Metropolis, Alabama native received offensive MVP honors within the Tigers’ spring recreation with 4 catches for 92 yards, stoking the hype surrounding what he might contribute in Yr 2 of the Hugh Freeze period on The Plains. Whereas looking forward to the 2027 NFL Draft class, 247Sports nationwide scouting analyst Gabe Brooks pegged Coleman as a first-round candidate and famous that his “6-foot-3 body and basketball-influenced athletic means make him a nightmare matchup.”

Ryan Wiliams, Alabama

247Sports place rating: 3

Williams will play the 2024 season at 17 years outdated after reclassifying from the Class of 2025. Whereas it appears virtually unfathomable that he may make an instantaneous affect at a spot like Alabama, all indications are that the Saraland, Alabama native is able to go. “It is simply been so wonderful to see the transformation on prime of simply how shortly he slot in,” Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer advised WKRG this week. Bama247 ranked Williams No. 6 on its checklist of most vital Alabama gamers for the 2024 season, noting the shortage of “confirmed commodities” on the roster to interchange departed stars Jermaine Burton and Isaiah Bond.

Ryan Wingo, Texas

247Sports place rating: 7

Wingo made 4 catches for 81 yards with a few touchdowns within the Texas spring recreation, which suggests he is received the mettle to play an early function. Texas’ receiver room is immensely gifted however vastly overhauled following the departures of Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell and Jordan Whittington. Wingo could have a shot to determine himself throughout the place’s evolving hierarchy. He brings elite velocity and has caught the attention of No. 2 quarterback Arch Manning, who might sling numerous passes in Wingo’s course throughout the 2025 season. “Wingo goes to be a stud,” Manning stated. “He’ll play loads this yr. He is simply the whole lot you need in a large receiver.”

Mario Craver, Mississippi State

247Sports place rating: 42

In an overhauled receiver corps headlined by transfers, Craver may sneak up as a weapon. Look no additional than the spring recreation for proof as he led the Bulldogs with 5 grabs for 96 yards. Chris Hummer named the 5-foot-11 speedster one of many “100 first-year gamers who will affect the 2024 faculty soccer season,” calling Craver “a great slot menace in a Jeff Lebby offense.”

Mazeo Bennett, South Carolina

247Sports place rating: 40

It’s a largely new forged of characters operating, passing and catching the soccer for South Carolina. That spells alternative for Bennett, who drew reward for his spring follow efficiency. The Massive Spur included Bennett in its prediction of which Gamecocks freshmen will play essentially the most in 2024. His velocity has drawn rave opinions.

Hardley Gilmore, Kentucky

247Sports place rating: 89

Gilmore is one other former Class of 2025 star who graduated early and is raring to shine. Barion Brown and Dane Key excelled as a freshman on the place for the Wildcats in 2022, and Gilmore could also be able to comply with of their footsteps. “Hardley’s gonna be a very good one,” Brown stated. “I promise he is gonna be an incredible one.”

Terry Bussey, Texas A&M

247Sports place rating: 1 (as an ATH)

There is no assure that Bussey will even play receiver for the Aggies contemplating that he was ranked because the No. 1 athlete within the Class of 2024, per 247Sports. He may simply as simply slide in at cornerback. But when he traces up on offense, he has all the abilities wanted to make an early distinction.