2015 Recruits Who Could Change the Fortunes of Struggling 2014 Teams

The benefits of scoring big victories on the recruiting trail can quickly change the fortunes of a program that is struggling on the field. 

For example, take the 2013 class that Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze and his staff put together—a class that finished No. 8 nationally. 

In the two years prior to signing that class, the Rebels went 9-16. Since then, they’ve gone 15-5, including a 7-0 start this year and a current ranking of No. 3 nationally in the polls.

There are several recruits in the 2015 class who could help struggling programs turn things around quickly.

Which 2015 recruits could change the fortunes of teams who are struggling in 2014? 

Recruits are listed in alphabetical order.

Byron Cowart and CeCe Jefferson: Florida

While Florida has had its share of issues in the Will Muschamp era, most of its problems have come on the offensive side of the ball.

However, two of the most important recruits left on the board for the Gators are 5-star defensive ends Byron Cowart and CeCe Jefferson.

Landing both of them is critical for many reasons.

For starters, both players are home-grown products who have been considered longtime Gator leans. If either chooses a destination other than Gainesville, it will send a strong signal that top recruits are leery of the program’s future.

Also, with junior defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. a candidate to test the NFL draft waters, landing Cowart and Jefferson would help put the bite back into the Gators pass rush next season.

Malik Jefferson: Texas

Malik Jefferson is the top prospect in the Lone Star State, and it's shaping up to be a battle between bitter rivals Texas and Texas A&M to land the blue-chip 5-star linebacker.

While the Aggies defense is sorely in need of athletic playmakers, such as the 6’2”, 215-pound Jefferson, Charlie Strong and the Longhorns could use a boost on the recruiting trail.

According to Jeff Howe of Horns247 (subscription required), Jefferson’s mom appears to have a warmer feeling with Strong and the Texas staff, which could be pivotal in their hopes to lure Jefferson to Austin.

Despite their lackluster performance in last week’s 48-45 win over Iowa State, the Longhorns defense has otherwise been solid this season. Texas ranks second in the Big 12 in total defense. Given Strong’s reputation as a defensive mastermind, landing Jefferson would give the ‘Horns defense a stable leader for the next three or four years.

Tyron Johnson: LSU

Last year’s LSU recruiting class brought in explosive skill talents, such as quarterback Brandon Harris, running back Leonard Fournette and receiver Malachi Dupre.

The Tigers have struggled on offense this season, in part due to their youth on that side of the ball.

However, while Dupre has shown flashes, the Tigers have lacked a consistent threat opposite sophomore wideout Travin Dural.

The top-ranked player in the talent-rich Pelican State is 5-star receiver Tyron Johnson.

The 6’1”, 191-pounder caught 87 passes for 1,433 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior.

If Johnson, who has LSU in his lead group along with schools such as Texas Tech, Clemson, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M, ends up in Baton Rouge, pairing him with Dural and Dupre could give the Tigers offense an explosive trio of pass-catchers that would rank among the most talented trio in the SEC.

Marquavius Lewis and Shameik Blackshear: South Carolina

After three consecutive 11-2 seasons, Steve Spurrier and the South Carolina Gamecocks are struggling at 4-3 in 2014. 

After losing standout defensive end Jadeveon Clowney to the NFL, the Gamecocks pass rush has been almost nonexistent this season.

South Carolina ranks last in the SEC with just seven sacks through the first six games. 

Two of the Gamecocks' top commits in a class ranked No. 4 in the country are 4-star defensive ends Marquavius Lewis and Shameik Blackshear.

The 6’4”, 271-pound Lewis is the No. 2 prospect available in the JUCO ranks, while Blackshear is the fourth-ranked weak-side defensive end prospect in the 2015 class. 

Between the two, defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward should have ample firepower in helping the Gamecocks turn up the heat on opposing quarterbacks next season.

Iman Marshall: USC

Steve Sarkisian’s first season as USC’s head coach has been an up-and-down campaign thus far.

One of the biggest struggles for the Trojans has been their pass defense, which ranks 91st nationally. 

Iman Marshall is the nation’s top corner, and he’s from Long Beach Poly High School in Long Beach, California, which has traditionally been a school that has been kind to the Trojans.

If the Trojans can land the talented 6’1”, 190-pound defensive back—who has visited USC’s campus at least once in each of the last four months—it would go a long way toward shoring up one of the team’s most glaring weaknesses.

Kahlil McKenzie and Shy Tuttle: Tennessee

One of the biggest surprises in the 2015 recruiting cycle has been the re-emergence of Tennessee on the national scene.

Butch Jones and the Vols currently have the nation’s No. 3 class. Two of the biggest pieces in that class, literally and figuratively, are 5-star defensive tackle Kahlil McKenzie and 4-star defensive tackle Shy Tuttle.

Between the two standout defensive linemen, Jones has 630 pounds of run-stuffing muscle to plug into the middle of a defensive line that has struggled against the run at times this season.

Currently, the Vols rank ninth in the SEC against the run.

With McKenzie and Tuttle representing two of the nation’s top defensive linemen in the 2015 class, the Vols defense could be in line to make a drastic improvement at the point of attack next fall.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports. College football stats via CFBstats.com, unless otherwise noted.

Follow @SanjayKirpalani