Dylan Raiola and Jeremiah Smith represent Big Ten on midseason Freshman All-American Team

The 2024 college football season has produced the best array of freshmen contributors in quite some time. We have a handful of playmakers who could be starting on Sundays in the NFL already, and the season's All-American Teams will likely feature a few first-year players. On3 shared its midseason true Freshman All-American Team after Week […]

Ian Valentino — National College Football Writer
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Dylan Raiola
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The 2024 college football season has produced the best array of freshmen contributors in quite some time. We have a handful of playmakers who could be starting on Sundays in the NFL already, and the season's All-American Teams will likely feature a few first-year players.

On3 shared its midseason true Freshman All-American Team after Week 6 wrapped up, and three Big Ten contributors are starring. Let's look at each, including Nebraska's Dylan Raiola and Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith.

Dylan Raiola and Jeremiah Smith Headline Freshman All-Americans

Dylan Raiola, QB

Raiola was rightfully identified as a transformative recruit for Nebraska. As a key player in Matt Rhule's efforts to revitalize the team, the Husker legacy proves his worth. 

With Raiola's help, the Huskers have achieved an impressive start of 5-1 in his debut year. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 230 pounds, Raiola has quickly adapted to college football, bringing a much-needed long-passing game to Lincoln that was absent last year. 

His ability to manage and execute Nebraska's offense, making challenging passes easily, has been remarkable. Raiola has amassed 1,355 passing yards and nine touchdowns, leading all first-year college players. 

As a unanimously rated 5-star recruit, he aims to maintain this momentum throughout the Big Ten season, helping the Huskers aim for their first bowl appearance since 2016. 

Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State

Smith arrived at Ohio State amid great fanfare. He was the most highly-touted wide receiver recruit of the internet era. At 6 feet 3 inches and 215 pounds, he has lived up to his enormous expectations. 

Smith has quickly emerged as potentially the best wide receiver and possibly the best player overall in Ohio State's talent-rich offense. Among all true freshmen, he ranks second in receiving yards (453) just behind Ryan Williams and is tied for the highest number of receiving touchdowns (6), in addition to scoring a touchdown on the ground. 

Smith's performances have positioned him among the elite wide receiver talents to have graced college football in recent years. Three spectacular one-handed catches have highlighted his recent games. Beyond his remarkable ability to secure the ball and his extensive reach, Smith has shown an explosive ability to create big plays after the catch, including several lengthy touchdowns from catch-and-runs. 

This impressive feat comes as Ohio State hasn't had to overly rely on this former Five-Star Plus+ recruit, given their average winning margin of 39 points. 

Despite Ohio State's recent history of producing four first-round receivers in the last three NFL Drafts, the conversation is already turning to Smith as potentially the most talented receiver to emerge from Columbus during this period, even as the former No. 1 overall recruit.

Finally, Nebraska's Jacoy Barney was also listed as an all-purpose weapon.

The playmaker is from Miami (Fla.) Barney, Palmetto, has ignited the offense every time he touches the ball. His ability to turn jet motions and reverses into big plays is evident, with 104 yards and two touchdowns from just seven attempts. 

His standout performance as a runner came during the victory against Purdue in the fifth week. In addition to his running skills, Barney has contributed as a traditional receiver, grabbing 19 passes for 149 yards, and has impacted special teams with 144 yards from seven kick returns. The one-time three-star recruit is shaping up to be an essential element of Nebraska’s offensive strategy in the foreseeable future.

Here's a look at the entire roster.

  • QB Dylan Raiola, Nebraska
  • RB Caden Durham, LSU
  • WR Ryan Williams, Alabama
  • WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
  • WR Ryan Wingo, Texas
  • TE Elija Lofton, Miami (FL)
  • OL Jordan Seaton, Colorado
  • OL Anthonie Knapp, Notre Dame
  • OL Josiah Thompson, South Carolina
  • OL Aidan Banfield, North Carolina
  • OL Kahlil House, Stanford
  • All-purpose Jacory Barney, Nebraska
  • EDGE Colin Simmons, Texas
  • EDGE Dylan Stewart, South Carolina
  • DT Jayden Jackson, Oklahoma
  • DT Malik Blocton, Auburn
  • LB Sammy Brown, Clemson
  • LB Cael Brezina, Iowa State
  • LB Kyngtonn Viliamu-Asa, Notre Dame
  • CB Zabien Brown, Alabama
  • CB OJ Frederique, Miami (FL)
  • SAF KJ Bolden, Georgia
  • SAF Kaleb Harris, Auburn

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