• Texas quarterback Arch Manning: The top recruit in 2023 played sparingly as the Longhorns’ third-string quarterback this season.
• Alabama safety Caleb Downs: Now at Ohio State, the No. 5 recruit in the 2023 class lived up to the hype as a true freshman as he was named to our All-American team.
• USC wide receiver Zachariah Branch: The No. 4 recruit in 2023 was also named to PFF’s All-American team as a return specialist.
Estimated reading time: 12 minutes
Every year, college football fans across the country get excited about their incoming recruiting class, eager to see the next stars for their favorite program.
The best of those recruits are rated five stars. There are 32 five-stars every year, making them essentially college football’s version of first-round picks.
Here’s how every five-star recruit in the 2023 class graded out in their true freshman season.
(Note: On3 Sports’ industry rating is used here, which weighs On3 Sports, 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN into one ranking.)
1. QB Arch Manning, Texas Longhorns
2023 Grade: 64.5 (29 snaps)
Manning entered Texas with a never-before-seen amount of hype. Not only was he the No. 1 overall recruit, but he’s also next in line to the Manning quarterback dynasty as the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning and the grandson of Archie Manning.
Longhorn fans will have to wait to see if the youngest Manning can live up to his last name, as he only saw action in two games this season as Texas’ third-string quarterback. He completed two of his five passes for 30 yards while also running four times for 16 yards this year. With starter Quinn Ewers returning to school, Manning will once again sit on the bench as his backup next season.
2. EDGE Keon Keeley, Alabama Crimson Tide
2023 Grade: N/A (0 snaps)
Keeley didn’t see any action as a true freshman because he sat behind stars like Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell. While he might not start next year as a redshirt freshman, Keeley should see some playing time as a rotational edge defender.
3. QB Dante Moore, UCLA Bruins
2023 Grade: 56.9 (432 snaps)
Moore started the year as UCLA’s backup but was inserted in as the starter midway through the second quarter of Week 1. After posting an 86.6 PFF grade through the first three weeks, Moore followed that up with just a 47.7 mark over the following three games before being benched. He played limited snaps the rest of the year before starting the regular season finale against California, where he had three turnover-worthy plays and no big-time throws.
Moore transferred to the school he was originally committed to, Oregon, in December. He'll likely be the Ducks’ backup next season behind Oklahoma transfer Dillon Gabriel.
4. WR Zachariah Branch, USC Trojans
2023 Grade: 69.9 (257 snaps)
Branch was USC’s fourth-leading wide receiver as a true freshman, catching 32 of his 44 targets for 320 yards and a pair of touchdowns while 251 of his yards came after the catch, which was sixth among FBS true freshmen.
Branch made the most of his big-play ability as a returner, and he was named a first-team All-American by us. Despite missing two games due to injury, he was still the only player in the country with both a kickoff return touchdown and a punt return touchdown this season.
Branch is projected to be one of USC’s top receivers next season.
5. S Caleb Downs, Alabama Crimson Tide
2023 Grade: 85.6 (890 snaps)
Branch wasn’t the only true freshman who was named a first-team All-American. Downs joined him on that list after posting an 88.9 PFF coverage grade this season, fourth among FBS safeties. His 16 coverage stops were third among that same group.
Following Nick Saban’s retirement, Downs transferred to Ohio State and enters next season as arguably the best safety in college football.
6. QB Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee Volunteers
2023 Grade: 78.0 (120 snaps)
Iamaleava played sparingly as Joe Milton III’s backup this year before making his first career start in the Citrus Bowl against No. 17 Iowa. He led the Volunteers to a 35-0 victory over the Hawkeyes, who featured the fourth-highest-graded defense in the nation. Iamaleava finished with an 85.0 PFF passing grade in that win with two big-time throws and no turnover-worthy plays. He also ran nine times for 51 yards and three touchdowns as well.
With Milton declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft, Iamaleava will be Tennessee’s starter next season.
7. EDGE DJ Hicks, Texas A&M Aggies
2023 Grade: 68.5 (156 snaps)
Hicks was a rotational piece for Texas A&M’s defensive line this season, playing the sixth-most snaps among Aggie edge defenders. He particularly shined as a run-defender, leading that group with a 73.8 run-defense grade this season.
He’s projected to be a part of Texas A&M’s rotation again as a sophomore and can even be kicked inside at 290 pounds.
8. QB Jackson Arnold, Oklahoma Sooners
2023 Grade: 69.1 (181 snaps)
Arnold served as Dillon Gabriel’s backup this season. Like Iamaleava, he made his first career start in the bowl game. Against No. 14 Arizona in the Alamo Bowl, Arnold turned in a roller coaster performance with three big-time throws and five turnover-worthy plays in the loss.
He’ll need to rein it in next season as Oklahoma’s starter with Gabriel transferring to Oregon.
9. OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama Crimson Tide
2023 Grade: 67.0 (811 snaps)
Proctor started every game for Alabama at left tackle this season. He endured some expected growing pains over the first half of the season, posting a 54.5 PFF grade over the first seven games. Proctor was far better down the stretch though, earning a 76.3 PFF grade over the final seven contests. That included an impressive outing against Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, where he only surrendered one pressure on 29 pass-blocking snaps.
Like Caleb Downs, Proctor ended up in the transfer portal following Nick Saban’s retirement. He’ll play next season at Iowa, the school he was originally committed to.
10. EDGE Adepoju Adebawore, Oklahoma Sooners
2023 Grade: 62.2 (184 snaps)
Adebawore was a rotational player for Oklahoma this year, playing the fourth-most snaps among Sooner edge defenders. He particularly impressed as a pass-rusher, as his 14% pass-rush win rate was sixth among Big 12 edges with at least 100 pass-rushing snaps.
Adebawore has an opportunity to start next season with Rondell Bothroyd entering the NFL Draft.
11. QB Malachi Nelson, USC Trojans
2023 Grade: 60.5 (4 snaps)
Nelson played four snaps in the season-opening win over San Jose State and didn’t see any action the rest of the season as USC’s third-string quarterback. He completed one of his three attempts for no yards in that contest.
Nelson transferred to Boise State in January and is projected to be the Broncos’ starter next year.
12. OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami (FL) Hurricanes
2023 Grade: 70.1 (866 snaps)
Mauigoa started all 13 games for the Hurricanes at right tackle this season. His 70.7 PFF run-blocking grade ranked third among ACC tackles. He also closed the year out strong, not allowing any pressures across 77 pass-blocking snaps in the final two games of the season.
13. CB Cormani McClain, Colorado Buffaloes
2023 Grade: 51.7 (277 snaps)
After being held out of the first three games, McClain was rotated into Colorado’s secondary for most of the season before starting the final three contests. He allowed 18 of his 25 targets into his primary coverage to be caught for 380 yards and 17 first downs while forcing an incompletion.
McClain has an opportunity to be one of the Buffaloes’ starting outside corners next season opposite of Travis Hunter.
14. EDGE Suntarine Perkins, Ole Miss Rebels
2023 Grade: 53.7 (346 snaps)
Perkins saw the third-most snaps among Ole Miss edge defenders this season. The best area of his game was as a pass-rusher, as his four sacks were tied for third among Power Five true freshmen.
He’s projected to be one of the Rebels’ starting edge defenders next season along with Florida transfer Princely Umanmielen. At just 205 pounds, Perkins can also play off-ball linebacker for Mississippi as well.
15. S Peyton Bowen, Oklahoma Sooners
2023 Grade: 68.3 (363 snaps)
While Bowen wasn’t a starter for the Sooners, he still played a healthy amount of snaps in Oklahoma’s secondary. His five forced incompletions were tied for fourth among FBS true freshman safeties this season and he only allowed seven catches.
Bowen is expected to start next year along with Billy Bowman Jr. at safety.
16. LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas Longhorns
2023 Grade: 60.1 (545 snaps)
Perkins was one of Texas’ starting linebackers as a true freshman. He tied for fifth among Big 12 linebackers this season with 18 pressures while his 15 coverage stops were second.
17. OT Samson Okunlola, Miami (FL) Hurricanes
2023 Grade: 74.5 (32 snaps)
Okunlola saw action in just three games this year as a backup left tackle for the Hurricanes. He didn’t allow a pressure across his 10 pass-blocking snaps while also earning a 71.7 PFF run-blocking grade. With both Jalen Rivers and Francis Mauigoa returning in 2024, it’s unlikely Okunlola will assume a starting tackle spot next season.
18. CB Dezz Ricks, Alabama Crimson Tide
2023 Grade: 61.7 (9 snaps)
Ricks played in only two games this season for the Crimson Tide as a backup outside corner. He’ll likely receive much more playing time next season as he transferred to Texas A&M in January.
19. DI Peter Woods, Clemson Tigers
2023 Grade: 87.6 (301 snaps)
While Woods wasn’t a starter for Clemson this season, he still made a massive impact as a rotational interior defensive lineman. His 88.6 PFF run-defense grade was seventh among all defensive tackles in the country this season. He was also fifth among FBS interior defensive linemen with a 15.9% pass-rush win rate.
Expect Woods to become much more of a household name next season as a full-time starter.
20. EDGE Damon Wilson Jr., Georgia Bulldogs
2023 Grade: 72.4 (75 snaps)
Wilson played sparingly for the Bulldogs this season, seeing the eighth-most snaps among Georgia edge defenders. He made the most of his limited snaps though. Wilson’s 29.5% pass-rush win rate led all Power Five edges with at least 40 pass-rushing snaps.
While he likely won’t start as a sophomore, he should see an increased amount of snaps as a rotational piece for the Bulldogs’ defensive line.
21. WR Nyck Harbor, South Carolina Gamecocks
2023 Grade: 54.8 (375 snaps)
Harbor was South Carolina’s No. 4 wide receiver as a true freshman, catching 12 of his 20 targets for 195 yards and a touchdown. He’ll need to improve his hands this offseason, as his 20% drop rate was tied for the sixth-highest among Power Five wide receivers.
With both of the Gamecocks’ top-two receivers entering the NFL Draft (Xavier Legette and Ahmarean Brown), Harbor should take on a much bigger role in his sophomore campaign.
22. OT Lance Heard, LSU Tigers
2023 Grade: 75.9 (195 snaps)
Heard started three games for LSU this season at right tackle. He didn’t allow a sack across his 90 pass-blocking snaps and only surrendered three pressures. After transferring to Tennessee in January, he’s projected to be one of the Volunteers’ starting tackles next season.
23. WR Duce Robinson, USC Trojans
2023 Grade: 66.5 (169 snaps)
While Robinson had the 11th-most receiving snaps among USC players (112), he had the third-most receiving yards (351). His 3.13 yards per route run ranked third among Pac-12 receivers this year with at least 110 receiving snaps.
Robinson should be one of USC’s top weapons in 2024 alongside fellow five-star freshman Zachariah Branch.
24. DI James Smith, Alabama Crimson Tide
2023 Grade: 70.4 (68 snaps)
Smith was a backup for the Crimson Tide this season, seeing the fifth-most snaps among Alabama interior defensive linemen. He particularly performed well as a run-defender, earning a 76.0 PFF grade in that aspect.
Smith is projected to once again be a rotational piece for the Crimson Tide next season.
25. DI Jordan Hall, Georgia Bulldogs
2023 Grade: 61.0 (177 snaps)
Like James Smith, Hall played the fifth-most snaps among interior defensive linemen for his team this season. He was also at his best in the run game, coming up with three tackles for loss/no gain this year.
Hall will likely be a rotational piece once again for the Bulldogs as a sophomore.
26. LB Yhonzae Pierre, Alabama Crimson Tide
2023 Grade: N/A (0 snaps)
Like his teammate Keon Keeley, Pierre didn’t see a snap this season since both arrived on campus during the summer. He’s projected to see some snaps as a rotational player next year, whether that be at linebacker or as an edge defender.
27. EDGE Qua Russaw, Alabama Crimson Tide
2023 Grade: N/A (0 snaps)
Russaw is the third five-star freshman on Alabama’s defense who didn’t play a down this season. After a year on the scout team, Russaw is expected to push for playing time at either edge defender or linebacker.
28. WR Jurrion Dickey, Oregon Ducks
2023 Grade: 56.1 (52 snaps)
Dickey spent the majority of his freshman season recovering from a torn meniscus that he suffered during his senior year of high school. He played in five games for the Ducks, catching his only target for seven yards.
Dickey is expected to remain a backup wide receiver as a sophomore with Oregon returning Tez Johnson, Gary Bryant Jr., Traeshon Holden and Kyler Kasper while also adding Texas A&M’s Evan Stewart in the transfer portal.
29. LB Raylen Wilson, Georgia Bulldogs
2023 Grade: 49.7 (177 snaps)
Wilson was a backup for the Bulldogs this season, playing the fifth-most snaps among Georgia linebackers. He flashed as a pass-rusher, coming up with a sack and five pressures on 29 pass-rushing snaps. Wilson is expected to remain a rotational piece next season with both starters in Smael Mondon Jr. and C.J. Allen returning.
30. RB CJ Baxter, Texas Longhorns
2023 Grade: 74.8 (371 snaps)
Baxter served as the No. 2 running back for the Longhorns until starter Jonathon Brooks tore his ACL in the 10th game of the season. Baxter assumed the starting job from there and finished his freshman campaign with 665 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns on 139 attempts. His 408 yards after contact were second among true freshmen backs this year.
With Brooks off to the NFL, Baxter will be Texas’ top back as a sophomore.
31. WR Johntay Cook II, Texas Longhorns
2023 Grade: 69.6 (125 snaps)
Cook was Texas’ No. 4 wide receiver as a true freshman, catching eight of his 12 targets for 136 yards and five first downs.
Since all of the Longhorns’ top-three receivers declared for the NFL Draft, Cook has an opportunity for a much larger role as a sophomore. However, he’ll have to compete for touches with incoming transfer wide receivers Isaiah Bond (Alabama), Silas Bolden (Oregon State) and Matthew Golden (Houston).
32. OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia Bulldogs
2023 Grade: 66.9 (167 snaps)
Freeling played in nine games this year as a backup tackle for Georgia. He didn’t allow a sack and surrendered six pressures on 74 pass-blocking snaps while posting a 69.6 run-blocking grade.
While the Bulldogs bring back both of their starting tackles in Earnest Greene III and Xavier Truss, many expect Freeling to push for the starting right tackle job next season.
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