By Mark Pszonak
See Part 1 & 2 of the series:
https://mikefarrellsports.com/college/redshirt-freshmen-to-watch-part-1
https://mikefarrellsports.com/college/redshirt-freshmen-to-watch-part-2
With the 2024 college football season quickly approaching, here is a closer look at five redshirt freshmen who will make a statement:
QB Arch Manning (Texas)
The skinny: No backup quarterback in the country receives more attention than Arch Manning. And while it is unlikely that he will have a major impact in 2024, any playing time he receives will be closely dissected. Also, if Quinn Ewers stumbles at all, the noise out of Austin for Manning to play will be deafening.
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CB Dezz Ricks (Texas A&M)
The skinny: Playing behind Terion Arnold and Kool-Aid McKinstry, Dezz Ricks didn’t have much of an opportunity for early playing time as a true freshman at Alabama. However, at Texas A&M, even with a deep position group, Ricks has quickly made a name for himself. Currently competing for a starting job, Ricks has positioned himself to receive important playing time in 2024 no matter where he falls on the depth chart.
WR Zeed Haynes (Syracuse)
The skinny: Having finished his true freshman season at Georgia with only one reception, Zeed Haynes decided to speed up his collegiate career with a transfer to Syracuse. Following Fran Brown, who was named the head coach in December, from Athens to the Orange, Haynes has hit the ground running at Syracuse. Quickly developing a connection with transfer quarterback Kyle McCord, Haynes has already established himself as a big play threat who will be a vital part of the offense in 2024.
OL DJ Chester (LSU)
The skinny: Having played 81 snaps in four games during his true freshman season, DJ Chester is now tasked with being the starting center for the Tigers in 2024. By all accounts he looks ready after impressing during the spring and the first half of summer camp. How he responds in pressure situations against teams like USC, Ole Miss, Alabama and Oklahoma will go a long way in determining LSU’s offensive success this season.
CB Nic DeLoach (Missouri)
The skinny: Nic DeLoach has been one of the bigger surprises of the off-season for Missouri. Having mostly played wide receiver in high school, he spent the 2023 season adjusting to his new position before quickly moving up the depth chart during the off-season. Initially expected to be a depth piece in 2024, he has been taking first-team reps opposite Toriano Pride as he looks ready to become a key piece of the Tigers’ defense faster than expected.
