Every season an impact freshman makes his mark on the college football landscape. Sammy Watkins, Trent Richardson and Denard Robinson to name a few. With the 2012 season right around the corner, we take a look at 25 freshman who could be big names in a few months.
For summaries of all major recruiting services rankings, view this.
25. Kent Taylor, TE (Florida)
Florida is synonymous with "Playmaker" and Taylor fits the Florida mold. The top Tight End in the class stands at 6'5 but has good open field ability and is always a mismatch for the defense. Look for Taylor to be an Aaron Hernandez type Tight End for the Gators.
24. Barry Sanders Jr., RB (Stanford)
If he can be half as good as pops, Stanford won't miss Andrew Luck for long.
23. Michael Thomas, WR, (Ohio State)
Thomas wasn't extremely highly recruited, but the young wideout has been stellar since arriving in Columbus. In Ohio State's Spring Game, Thomas grabbed 12 balls for over 130 yards. Thomas will be one of QB Braxton Miller's top targets in Urban Meyer's spread attack.
22. Deontay Greenberry, WR (Houston)
Greenberry opened eyes when the one time Notre Dame commit bailed on the Irish and instead landed in Houston. One of the top Wide Receivers in the class, Greenberry should be the go to target in Houston's pass happy offense from day 1. Look for Greenberry to put up mammoth numbers.
21. Devin Fuller, QB (UCLA)
One of the top 3 QBs in the class, and possibly the top dual threat passer, Fuller was a great get for new UCLA coach Jim Mora. Fuller might not start right away, but Freshman is too talented to keep off the field for long.
20. Taylor McNamara (Tight End, Oklahoma)
Oklahoma's problems at the receiver positions have been well documented. Several guys have been kicked off the team and Ryan Broyles is in the NFL. On the positive side, the Sooners still have top-notch QB Landry Jones. McNamara will most likely win the starting position and be one of Jones' go to red zone targets. The raw 6'5 athlete should develop into an elite pass catching Tight End.
19. Quinshad Davis, WR (North Carolina)
A record breaking four star Wide Receiver and valedictorian, Davis was the biggest get for Larry Fedora's new staff in Chapel Hill. Standing at a sturdy 6'3, Davis has the physical tools to come in and play right away. Davis' services will be needed early in often in Kenan Stadium. The Tar Heels are thin at Wide Receiver and Fedora's up-tempo spread offense requires five to six receivers at all times. Look for Davis and quarterback Bryn Renner to thrive in Fedora's system.
18. Randy Johnson (Running Back, Miami-FL)
Johnson is a typical Florida product- Raw speed. The elusive 5'9 Tailback will fill the void left by former starter Lamaer Miller in the Canes backfield. Johnson is too small to be an every down back, but Al Golden and co. will get the Freshman plenty of touches.
17. Mario Pender, RB (Florida State)
Pender, a Florida native, chose to stay in-state and compete for a starting job with the 'Noles. One of the top 3 or 4 Running Backs in the class, Pender should be one of the two to three backs Florida State and Jimbo Fischer feature.
16. Chris Black, WR (Bama)
With Trent Richardson gone, Alabama will look to establish the passing game through A.J. McCarron more this year. Young Wide Receivers will play an important role in Alabama's offense. Black is a quick deep threat that Bama hopes can replace speedster Marquise Maze, who graduated.
15. Amari Cooper, WR (Bama)
Cooper, a unanimous top 10 Wide Receiver in the 2012 class, will also be part of the Bama passing attack. Hailing from Miami, Cooper will provide the Miami swag that Bama needs. Cooper could be the closest thing Bama has seen to Julio Jones.
14. Ondre Pipkins, NT (Michigan)
Michigan graduated two Senior d-line leaders, leaving an opening for the 5-star Pipkins to come in and see immediate playing time this season. Pipkins' stock shot through the roof at the US Army All American game, when he dominated All-American offensive lineman, earning him a 5 star rating from the major recruiting services. A relative of Steelers all-pro Lamarr Woodley, Pipkins will likely start the season as a backup, but will be a force in the Michigan defense by the time Big Ten play begins.
13. Keith Marshall, RB (Georgia)
The Raleigh, NC native was ranked as high as the fifth overall player in the 2012 class. Expected to come in as a backup to star Isiah Crowell, Marshall's role got exponentially more important when Crowell was dismissed from the team. The top back in the class could come in and do exactly what Crowell did last year for the Bulldogs.
12. Trey Metoyer, WR, Oklahoma
As we discussed earlier, Oklahoma basically has one solid wideout returning to the team, Kenny Stills. The other spots will be filled by incoming players. Metoyer, who spent last year at a prep school, should be one of the new guys earning big playing time.
11. Durron Neal, WR (Oklahoma)
Everything discussed in Metoyer's case also applies to Neal. The top 100 recruit should come in and be a starter from day 1, either in the slot or on the outside. Neal will benefit from playing with stud QB Landry Jones.
10. Jonathan Gray, RB (Texas)
Along with Marshall, Gray was considered one of the top two backs in the country. What makes Gray so attractive is his ability to be both an every down back and a home run threat. At 5'11, 205, Gray has the frame to shoulder 15 carries a game and also the speed to take it to the house on any given play. Gray will compete with Malcolm Brown for the starting spot.
9. Shaq Thompson (Safety, Washington):
Shaq Thompson could be the best defensive freshman in the entire class, which is good, because he is really bad at baseball. Thompson will be back on the gridiron for Washington after giving minor league baseball a go. He literally was 0-32, with 31 strikeouts. He literally struck out 31 of the 32 times he came to the plate. Thankfully, he is much better at football. Thompson will be the starting safety for the Huskies.
8. Wes Lunt, QB (Oklahoma State)
Lunt was highly recruited, but wasn't in the discussion for top QB. Still, he may be in the best position to succeed of any Freshman signal caller. The 6'5 four star will be Brandon Weeden's replacement in the Cowboys incredibly fast paced offense. Look for Lunt to have some ups and downs, but still put up huge numbers.
7. Gunner Kiel, QB (Notre Dame)
The consensus top QB in the class, Kiel made big news by de-committing from LSU and making a switch to the Irish. Kiel isn't expected to start, but Brian Kelly doesn't have much patience with average QBs and could quickly get Kiel involved. Plus, with a name like Gunner, the guy was bound to be a QB.
6. T.J. Yeldon, RB, (Alabama)
Another highly rated ball carrier, Yeldon could come in to Tuscaloosa and see major playing time from day one. Besides Eddie Lacy, the Crimson Tide are relatively thin at Tailback, making Yeldon an important part of the Tide's offense. If Saban and co. hope to win a third tittle, Yeldon will have to step up.
5. Davonte Neal, ATH (Notre Dame)
After a crazy recruiting process, this uber athlete finally landed in South Bend. The Arizona product is Swiss army knife versatile and could end up playing as a receiver or defensive back. Regardless of where Neal starts each play, he will always end up around the ball. He could be returning the opening kick of Notre Dame's season.
4. Stephon Diggs, ATH (Maryland)
Diggs is like Neal, but rated in the top five of the class. Diggs will lineup all over the place for the Terrapins and will see plenty of the pigskin. Either by handing it off or throwing it to him, Maryland's offense will be Diggs heavy. That being said, nobody really wants to watch Maryland.
3. Arik Armstead, DE (Oregon)
Armstead continues the trend of versatile players, only in a much larger form. The 6'8 280 pounder will lineup as a defensive lineman on the gridiron and as a center on the Oregon basketball team.
2. D.J. Humphries, OT (Florida)
The top offensive lineman and a top 10 overall recruit, Humphries is a lock to start on Florida's woeful offensive line. The big 6'6 275 pound Tackle will anchor Florida's line for the next three to four years.
1. Dorial Green-Beckham, WR (Missouri)
Green-Beckham was ranked as the top overall recruit by the majority of the major recruiting services, and at 6'6 220, its easy to see why. DGB has already been compared to the likes of Calvin Johnson. The Mizzou commit is also notable because he chose to stay in state and play for the Tigers. DGB will have a huge impact on the Tigers spread attack this season. If his potential is to be maximized, quarterback James Franklin must become less of a runner and more of a passer. DGB gets our top spot. Look for this athletic freak to make plenty of highlights in the SEC.
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