College Football Recruiting 2013: 10 Recruits Who Can Play Right Away

Continuing in today's theme of young players and true freshmen, I'm going to move over to the 2013 class. Evaluating these guys is all looking at film, then projecting what they will do in college.

Playing early is a desire for many recruits, and earning a starting job is always their goal. For this read, I'm going to give the 10 top players that I feel can play right off the bat for a school.

These guys are physically ready, have the talent to get snaps as a true freshman and the skill set to hold their own.

10. Patrick Kugler, OG

I rarely expect offensive linemen to impact as a true freshman, but Kugler is the son of an OL coach and his technique is excellent.

He's 6'5", 280 pounds and has the strength and technique to really hold his own against older college players.

He's a prime candidate to earn time at Michigan as a freshman. Kugler's nasty streak, size, strength and refined game put him as an advanced lineman prospect.

9. Adam Breneman, TE

Breneman is a 6'5", 220-pound tight end that I really think can be a flex guy for a college asap. His hands, ball skills, strike zone, pluckability, length and solid play speed automatically make him a weapon for a team's passing game.

Look for him to play early and often at Penn State. 

8. Justin Davis, RB

I always think that a top-flight running back prospect can play right away, even if he is just a two-down player as a freshman, while learning the pass protection schemes and passing playbook.

Davis is a 6'1", 200-pound rock toter that has been productive in Central California. He shows great speed, solid run strength, a willingness to press holes and good elusiveness in the open field.

He can get carries as a freshman. 

7. Eddie Vandergoes, DT

Vandergoes is a 6'4", 285-pound DL that some feel can play DE, but I think he's a DT. He's very strong at the point of attack, anchors well and has great hands to combat blockers.

But the trait that got him on this list for me was his ability to shed and escape blocks. Whether he uses his good strength or quickness, Vandergoes has the ability to get clean in hurry to make a play.

With that trait going for him, along with his size and strength, look for him to play early.

6. Ty Isaac, RB

When you go 6'3", 220 pounds and have wonderful speed at the running back position, you should play early. Isaac has that and something else: great hands.

He catches the football very well out of the backfield and can factor as a receiving option underneath on third downs.

Wherever Isaac ends up, he should get time almost immediately.

5. Kenny Bigelow, DL

Bigelow is a pretty competitive guy, as the 6'3", 285-pounder gets after it as a player. He's physical at the point of attack and can make plays. Sounds like a solid DL, right?

However, what separates Bigelow from others is his super snap quickness and explosion off the ball. He just jumps on top of blockers and overwhelms them to which he can also kick outside and play some DE.

He will play as a freshman at USC.

4. Derrick Henry, RB

This guy is a 6'3" running back that weighs nearly 240 pounds and has 4.5 speed. 

Enough said.

But to go even further, Henry has the size, frame and speed to get carries as a freshman. However, with Isaiah Crowell and Keith Marshall at Georgia already, that may be a bit tough.

3. Thomas Tyner, RB

If Tyner can stay healthy, he will have a DeAnthony Thomas-like impact at Oregon as a freshman. He just may be faster than Thomas right now.

He's 6'0", 200 pounds and is a threat to turn a corner on defense at anytime and go the distance. Tyner has sprinter's speed in a running back's frame.

2. Reuben Foster, LB

Foster's ready to play college football right now.

6'2", 240 pounds, he has all the necessary tools to be a dominant linebacker in college. Instincts, smarts, tackling technique, quickness, strength, range, speed, thumping ability and athleticism to cover all round out his game.

He likely won't impact too much at Alabama early because of the depth chart and complex scheme on defense, but that still doesn't mean Foster lacks the tools not to play as a freshman.

1. Robert Nkemdiche, DL

Nkemdiche looks like a man amongst boys most of the time and has a frame that if you didn't know he was a high-schooler, you'd think he was an NFL player.

He goes 6'5", 270 pounds and has ultra power, speed and quickness off the edge. He can play the run or pass equally and effectively, and he can play 4-3 DE, 4-3 DT or 3-4 OLB. 

Wherever he winds up, he'll spend camp adding to his pass-rush arsenal and will be getting snaps early in the fall.