Can freshers apply for a DevOps role?

I’m a fresher looking to start my career in DevOps. I’ve been learning Linux, Git, Docker, CI/CD, AWS, and some basic Kubernetes.
I wanted to know if freshers can realistically apply for DevOps roles, or if most companies expect candidates to have prior experience in development or system administration.
If you’re working in DevOps, I’d really appreciate any advice on:
Skills I should focus on
Projects that can help my resume
Whether I should apply directly for DevOps Engineer roles as a fresher
Alternative entry-level roles that could help me transition into DevOps