College Football Recruiting 2012: The Top 10 Instant Impact Prospects

Early playing time and depth charts have become more crucial and significant in decisions and commitments. Every recruit wants to come in and play right away.

Yet, it is a rare feat to make an impact as a true freshman, as many recruits lack the size, frame, speed, instincts and truly college-ready skills. Development and coaching is imperative, but there are still a select few each Fall who make an early impact.

Here are top recruits I think have a chance to instantly impact in this coming 2012 season.

Duke Johnson, RB

Johnson shows athleticism that speaks to me as being quicker than fast. 5'9", 180 pounds. He's an elusive ball-carrier who can shake and bake with the best of them.

Dangerous in the open field, he always looks for the smallest crease to skate through and can hide well behind his blockers to pick and slide to holes.

He's headed to Miami.

Keith Marshall, RB

Perhaps the fastest running back in the country, Marshall is a touchdown machine.I liken him to Marshall Faulk, as he can impact the game as a runner, receiver and even as a returner.

At 5'11", 185 pounds, Marshall has been timed in the 4.3 range in the 40. Marshall is headed to Georgia to form a crazy duo with Isaiah Crowell.

Noah Spence, DE

Spence is the top pure pass rusher in the country and easily has the quickest first two steps in America. He flies off the ball and gets after the QB with tenacity, passion and sheer speed.

At 6'4", 245 pounds, he has been compared to Dwight Freeney, although he is a bit longer and taller than the 6'1" Freeney.

Spence is headed to Ohio State.

Stefon Diggs, WR

The more I watch of Diggs, the more I love him. He reminds me of USC receiver Robert Woods, and I think he can have that type of impact as a true freshman.

At 6'0" and 190 pounds, some even claim Diggs can be an elite safety as well. He's dynamic with the football, playing receiver, running back and return man for his high school squad, along with defensive back.

He's extremely sudden off the ball, has great hands and is the best RAC player in the country. Diggs is a prime-time home run threat and will be a multiple-use offensive weapon in college.

Malcom Brown, DT

At 6'2", 280 pounds, Brown looks like a great future 3-technique, as his quickness at the snap is formidable. He displayed great power and strength last night and I think he coluld see early minutes at Texas.

He flies off he ball, blows by guards, disrupts offensive fronts and plays in the backfield. He's the type of player that should be among the career leaders in the TFL department after he leaves Texas.

Rushell Shell, RB

Shell, a Pitt pledge, is a solidly built RB prospect at 5'11" and 215 pounds. I estimate his speed is in the 4.5 range, and he shows the ceiling, skill set and potential to be an every-down rock-toter in college.

RB is always the easiest position to impact as a young player on any level, and Shell shows he has solid quickness, nimble feet and good run instincts to carry the load as a true freshman at Pitt.

Eddie Goldman, DT

At 6'4" and 305 pounds, Goldman has a chance to step foot on campus early and be a two-down DT. He's stout against the run, anchors well and makes a mess on the interior because of his great strength, power and force.

On tape, Goldman displays a quick recognition of double-teams, snap quickness and the ability to get skinny to penetrate gaps.

He has some short area chase ability and may be better suited long term for the NT/0-technique than the DT/3-technique spot, but Goldman seems bent on the latter being his position in college.

Johnathan Gray, RB

At 5'11" and 195 pounds, Gray is a complete running back. He grades out at above average or higher in every major and critical position factors for which I grade RB's.

Gray shows great instincts, front seven alignment knowledge, understanding of his OL's blocking assignments, understanding of how to execute a play—be it attack downhill or showing pre-line of scrimmage patience—great vision and anticipation.

Gray should be able to make an early impact at Texas.

Dorial Green-Beckham, WR

Green-Beckham is the top recruit on my board.

But when you're 6'6" and 220 pounds with 4.4 speed, long arms, a huge strike zone, separation quickness, build-up speed and strength to release against press-man coverage, you can play early.

Green-Beckham is likely even better than Kyle Prater was coming out of high school a few years ago.

Mario Edwards, DE

Edwards is the most complete DE in the country on my board, standing at 6'4" and weighing 297-pounds.

He is very strong to set the edge and athletic enough to rush the passer.Edwards can fire of the ball, quickly read run or pass, bend around a blocker and close on the passer in the pocket.

He can also anchor against the run, stall a blocker, shed with strength and stop a ball-carrier in his tracks.