wide receiver Ryan Williams of the Alabama Crimson lit up the college football scene on the, catching six receptions for 177 yards and the game-winning score in the Crimson Tide’s exciting 41-34 victory over Georgia on Saturday. Meanwhile, fellow 2024 prospect Jeremiah Smith maintained his strong start at Ohio State, catching in five receptions for 83 yards, including a spectacular one-handed touchdown catch. Both former five-star recruits are on track to create history, potentially breaking some of college football’s most renowned records by the conclusion of the season.
Alabama’s Amari Cooper was the last true freshman to reach 1,000 receiving yards in a single season, with 59 receptions, 1,000 yards, and 11 touchdowns in 2012, setting freshman records for the program. Williams is on track to outperform those statistics, with 482 receiving yards and five touchdowns already under his belt, leading all rookies in receiving yards. He also has the best receiving average in college football, at 28.9 yards per catch. If his current form holds, Williams could complete the regular season with 48 catches for 1,386 yards and 15 touchdowns. Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell lauded Williams after the Georgia game, stating, “From the first time he walked in here — a tiny, small receiver — I knew he was going to be amazing.
Jeremiah Smith, rated as the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2024 class, has been shattering his own records. His amazing one-handed touchdown versus Michigan State propelled him into third place on Ohio State’s all-time freshman receiving touchdowns list, passing Ted Ginn Jr. with five. Smith is on track to break Hall of Famer Cris Carter’s freshman receiving record of 41 receptions, 648 yards, and eight touchdowns set in 1984. Smith, who has 19 grabs for 364 yards and five touchdowns in three games, is expected to end the season with 57 catches, 1,092 receiving yards, and 15 touchdowns.
Both Williams and Smith are on a record-breaking pace, positioning themselves as two of the most exciting talents in college football.
