Under Armour All-American Game 2012: Elite Recruits Ready for Immediate Impact

The 2012 Under Armour All-American Game is filled with top-notch recruits, but only a select few are truly ready to make an impact as freshmen. 

College football is starting to see more and more freshman athletes quickly steal the spotlight, helping their respective team win in clutch moments. 

Several players from the class of 2012 will definitely see the field of play in their first year of college football, but leaving a big impression isn't all that easy. 

With that said, here are a few players in the 2012 Under Armour All-American Game that will immediately shine once they start college ball. 

Noah Spence, DE

It didn't take Urban Meyer very long to land an elite recruit for 2012, and luckily for him he got one that should have a very successful career. 

The defensive front for the Ohio State Buckeyes needed some spark this past year, and the addition of Spence will give them just that. 

Getting after the quarterback is Spence's strong suit, which the Buckeyes need help with. Defensive tackle John Simon led the Ohio State with seven sacks this past season, while a couple others tied for second with only three sacks. 

Listed at 6'4", 245 pounds, Spence will need to add bulk, but it's not a pressing issue because he has a great physical upside. 

Meyer likely sold Spence on the idea of playing right away, and it shouldn't take him long to bring down opposing quarterbacks. 

Keith Marshall, RB 

For the second year in a row, the Georgia Bulldogs landed the No. 1 running back recruit in the country. 

Only this time around, the freshman will fare far better. Isaiah Crowell had some injury issues, as well as a suspension, and while he did look brilliant in some games, the majority of the Bulldog Nation was rather upset he didn't live up to the hype. 

Sure, the same thing could happen to Marshall, but because he is enrolling early, I don't think it will.

With the extra depth at running back, which was a rough position for the Bulldogs this past season, all of them will push each other to be better. 

Marshall has exceptional speed and thrives on making defenders miss. Since Georgia is thin at running back, expect Marshall to see plenty of action in the season opener and beyond. 

Johnathan Gray, RB 

The Texas Longhorns will have a very young backfield, and since nobody really stole the show this year, Gray will get a chance in 2012. 

Malcolm Brown and Joe Bergeron had decent seasons, and both should improve during the spring and summer. 

However, adding a strong powerful and speedy back like Gray will shake things up. Gray has room to add bulk, which will only make him a bigger threat. 

The future Longhorn has outstanding vision, and his ability to cut back and extend plays is just what Texas needs.