CBS Sports evaluates 2024 five-star recruits: Successes, setbacks and transfers define second year
The analysis categorises players into three performance tiers, highlighting significant achievements alongside injuries, position changes and transfers that have altered projected trajectories.
Two years removed from signing day, the Class of 2024’s five-star haul is starting to take shape, and not every projected path has stayed the course. CBS Sports has published a comprehensive evaluation of all 32 five-star prospects from the 2024 college football recruiting class, breaking down their progress into three distinct buckets: Exceeding Expectations, Meeting Expectations, and In Question. The report examines individual trajectories, noting significant achievements alongside setbacks involving injuries, transfers and underwhelming production ahead of the 2026 season.
Players such as Ohio State receiver Treylon Smith and Georgia linebacker Jalen Bolden are cited as exceeding expectations. Smith, widely regarded as a generational talent before his collegiate career, became only the second player in Ohio State program history to record back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving campaigns. Bolden, a cerebral defensive chess piece, has appeared in every contest in his two seasons in Athens, providing significant value to the reigning SEC champions with his speed and versatility.
Conversely, several high-profile prospects find themselves in question due to injuries, transfers or underwhelming production. Florida quarterback Tyler Shough and Texas A&M receiver Jalen Milroe are highlighted as examples of players facing scrutiny. The report notes that Shough encountered a series of injuries that derailed his development, while Milroe’s transition to receiver has been described as choppy, with drops and a crowded receiver room remaining obstacles in his early career.
Other notable developments include position changes and transfers that have reshaped the landscape. Alabama’s Mbakwe changed positions from corner to receiver before returning to the defensive backfield under new coaching, while Nebraska quarterback Raiola transferred to Oregon after suffering a broken fibula. These shifts underscore the volatility of the recruiting class, where early hype often meets the physical and tactical demands of collegiate football.
The evaluation also identifies players meeting expectations, such as Georgia cornerback Jalen Robinson and Miami defensive lineman T’Vondre Sweat. Robinson, who started twelve games last season and recorded four interceptions, is viewed as a potential first-round NFL Draft pick if he continues his development. Meanwhile, Scott, a key cog in Miami’s defensive front during their national championship run, is on track to be one of the next Hurricane defensive linemen selected early in the draft.
As the 2026 season approaches, the report suggests that continuity and health will be critical for many of these athletes. While some, like Smith, have validated the hype from the jump, others face make-or-break years. The analysis serves as a snapshot of a class that is still evolving, with individual performances likely to influence their standing in the 2027 NFL Draft and their long-term collegiate legacies.
