College Football 2012: The Top True Freshmen We're Excited to See This Spring

A trending facet of college football recruiting is prospects enrolling early at the program of their choice. These prospects graduate from high school in December and use the winter break to move their stuff to the dorms, and by the time the new semester begins, they're ready to begin college life.

For this read, I'm going to give you a couple true freshmen who have indeed enrolled early and will participate in spring ball. These are some of the best prospects coming into college football and just so happen to be already at school and ready to practice this spring.

Here we go!

Chris Black, WR (Alabama)

Black is on campus at Alabama already and will certainly get a chance to contribute right away. 'Bama has a need for WRs, as it lost Marquis Maze among others last year, plus the offense in Tuscaloosa hasn't exactly been pass-happy for the most part.

At 6'0", 175 pounds and possessing great speed and quickness, Black should use the spring to showcase what he can do this fall.

He flashes solid release quickness, a good strike zone and the ability to stretch a back end and has good RAC ability.

Zach Kline, QB (Cal)

Kline moved up my QB rankings last year and finished inside my overall top 100 prospects for 2012. He's a 6'2", 205-pounder with a cannon for an arm and solid foot quickness in his drops. He sets up well and can deliver strikes downfield.

He's enrolled at Cal, and I'm sure he's been hard at work trying to learn Jeff Tedford's offense. He'll have a QB standoff with Zach Maynard this month.

Mario Pender (RB)

Pender has gotten over to Tallahassee, and his skill set will be on display during spring ball. He got into a bit of trouble a few months ago, but hopefully it's all behind him.

He's a 6'0", 210-pound back with an excellent frame and even better play speed. The sky is the limit for Pender, as he shows great breakaway speed, elusiveness, wiggle, run instincts and foot quickness to skate to the edges.

He could crack the lineup as a true freshman.

Arik Armstead (Oregon)

At 6'8", 280 pounds, Armstead is a high-profile recruit who has enrolled early at Oregon. He can play OT, but I think DE or DT could be his destined spot.

Armstead has above-average snap quickness and good play strength, anchors well and has a quick grab and stab in his game. He's also a great basketball player and will play the post for the Ducks basketball team during his stay in Eugene.

Keith Marshall, RB (Georgia)

Marshall, a North Carolina native, has enrolled at Georgia and is all set to begin spring workouts. He's a dynamic RB who could be special.

At 5'11" and nearly 200 pounds, Marshall has excellent play speed and a fantastic burst to and through holes and can split the safeties deep on long runs. He also can factor in the passing game and is a back who I think will be a terror on screens.

He and Isaiah Crowell could immediately form the best RB tandem in the SEC.

D.J. Humphries, OT (Florida)

The Gator OL wasn't up to standards at times last year, and Humphries has gotten to Gainesville early to take a look at things. He's one of the best and most talented incoming freshmen in the country, regardless of position.

At 6'6" and over 270 pounds, he's an athletic specimen for a big man, as he can shadow pass-rushers, adjust to recover vs. speed and reach up to the second level to hit moving targets in the run game.

He could start immediately for UF, as this spring will be crucial for him to accomplish that feat. 

T.J. Yeldon, RB (Alabama)

With Eddie Lacy out for spring practice so he can nurse his turf toe, Dee Hart coming off a knee injury, Brent Calloway working at linebacker for the spring and, of course, Trent Richardson gone to the NFL, the time is now for T.J. Yeldon.

At 6'1" and 215 pounds, Yeldon has sheer breakaway speed and fluid athleticism in space, changes direction with ease and has natural run instincts with the football. He's already in Tuscaloosa and will use the spring practices to make his case as to why he should get carries in the fall.

Gunner Kiel, QB (Notre Dame)

Kiel shocked many by de-committing from LSU and enrolling early at Notre Dame in January. He'll compete for the starting job in South Bend automatically and is the future of the program.

At 6'4" and over 200 pounds, Kiel played in a spread offense like the Irish passing attack in high school, is a solid decision-maker, has solid arm strength and is very accurate.

Kiel also shows above-average athleticism and escapability to elude rushers and keep drives alive with his legs. He's the most intriguing true freshman that'll be at spring practices in the country.