“Plays as good as anybody in the country but does it all the time with extreme energy,” Michigan coach Sherrone Moore, speaking on “Inside Michigan Football,” said of Stewart.
Offensive freshman of the half-year: Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
The wide receiver factory that is Buckeyes football has another prodigy in Smith, who quickly has lived up to his billing as the nation’s top overall recruit in the 2024 class. The 6-3, 215-pounder has 32 receptions for 553 yards and seven touchdowns through six games, providing a strong complement to senior Emeka Egbuka (40 catches, 526 yards, six TDs).
“Although he’s young, he’s wise beyond his years, the way that he approaches the game,” Buckeyes coach Ryan Day said on an On3 podcast.
Defensive freshman of the half-year: Koi Perich, Gophers
A true freshman from Esko, Minn., Perich quickly has become Big Man on Campus by providing a jolt of energy to the Gophers on defense and special teams. Rather than enroll in January like many freshmen do, Perich wanted to complete his senior season at Esko, hoping to lead his prep team to a state track and field championship. A hamstring injury ended that dream, and Perich joined the Gophers in June. He’s proven to be a quick study with a flair for the dramatic. He punctuated back-to-back victories over USC and UCLA with interceptions in or near the end zone, and returned a punt 60 yards to set up a TD in a fourth-quarter rally at Michigan that fell just short. Perich’s four interceptions lead the Big Ten and are tied for second nationally.
