LSU Football: 5 Freshmen Who Will Start in 2012

In recent years, freshmen have tended to make an immediate impact at LSU, and there are five freshmen that will do the same in 2012.

In the past two seasons, LSU had freshmen sensations like Tyrann Mathieu, Eric Reid, Odell Beckham, Kenny Hilliard and Spencer Ware stand out and make their presences known in college football.

Here are five incoming freshmen that will do the same this season.

Jeremy Hill

Jeremy Hill could very well be the best running back on the team.

Look, I know LSU has one of the deepest backfields in the country with stars like Spencer Ware, Michael Ford, Alfred Blue and Kenny Hilliard all capable of starting, but Hill is an animal.

Like I've said before on here, I had the opportunity of watching him play at Redemptorist High against a Hilliard-led Patterson team, and I was more impressed with Hill than I was with Hilliard.

Hill was able to show only a few glimpses of his skills at the spring game, though. He rushed the ball six times for 37 yards, but if Hill's 40 touchdowns in his senior season of high school is any indication of what his production will be like at the next level, fans better watch out for this guy.

It's a long shot because of the depth and talent at running back, but then again, many believed it would be a long shot for Hilliard last season too.

Kwon Alexander

I see no reason why Kwon Alexander shouldn't step in and start right away.

It's no secret that the Tigers needed to target linebackers for this year's signing class, and that's just what they did. Though the recruiting class wasn't outstanding by any means, the signing of Alexander certainly lifted a lot of spirits.

This is a guy who basically could have played anywhere he wanted, and he was rated 29th out of ESPN's 150 top prospects. And if that's not a good enough reason to get excited about Alexander, just look at his body build.

He's exactly what John Chavis likes, as Chavis likes smaller/faster linebackers. Alexander is 6'2", 215-pounds and he runs a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash.

With Ryan Baker graduating, Alexander should make a strong case for replacing him at linebacker.

Ronnie Feist

Want to see just how impressive Ronnie Feist has been this spring?

Fast forward to 2:05 in the video embedded on this slide and take a look for yourself. With his raw power and technique, Feist pancaked Hilliard in the "Big Cat" drill, which is truly remarkable.

Feist has made his presence known among his compadres as a physical specimen, and it took the baddest man on the team, J.C. Copeland, to handle Feist.

With players who have yet to really breakout like Lamin Barrow, and Tahj Jones being predicted as the starting linebackers, Feist and Alexander could very well be the starting unit this fall.

Avery Johnson

Much like the running back position, the wide receiver position is also stacked with talent.

So for an incoming freshman like Avery Johnson, it's going to be difficult to find playing time, but I believe he will.

Hear me out on this. With Zach Mettenberger receiving the ball under center, the Tigers will be willing to air it out more and spread the defense more often. This will allow more opportunities for the wide receivers, and therefore give Johnson more opportunities.

With his 6'2" frame and athleticism, Johnson should see the field this season. After all, he his Patrick Peterson's brother, and if he has the athleticism that his brother possesses, seeing the field shouldn't be a problem.

Jalen Collins

Jalen Collins will reap the award of circumstance.

LSU's secondary will be strong in 2012, but it won't be as good as it was last season. Craig Loston should replace Brandon Taylor and Tharold Simon should replace Mo Claiborne.

Don't expect the productivity to drop off too far because of how good Loston and Simon are, but the lack of depth is a cause for concern.

That's where Collins comes in to play. Collins was redshirted last season, and now that he's had a year to learn under the coaching staff and from guys like Claiborne, he should be ready to take on a major role in the secondary.