CFB Recruiting 2013: 8 Recruits Who Could Be Week 1 Starters Next Year

Football players are sheer competitors, and if they were not, then they wouldn't be playing the game. Every player naturally thinks he is capable of having success at any level of competition. This includes young 17- and 18-year-old recruits who step on campus looking to immediately start for their program.

However, the truth is many of these recruits are not ready to play. From learning a thick playbook, getting physically stronger and faster, adjusting to college life, classes and being away from home, it is very tough to for a true freshman to start.

Although each recruiting class and college football season sees a few true freshmen overcome the odds and start week one. Here are eight recruits from the 2013 lass that, right now, I can see starting on opening day 2013. 

8. Asiantii Woulard, QB (South Florida)

B.J. Daniels is gone after this season and Bobby Eveld and Matt Floyd will be on campus in Tampa.

Woulard can use the momentum he has from winning the WVP at the Elite 11 Finals to have a great senior year and then come in to USF red hot.

The 6'4", 200-pounder can use the Wes Lunt model of starting as a true freshman and upset the incumbents for the Bulls. With his strong arm, athleticism and growing field vision, Woulard is going to be a star. 

7. Vernon Hargreaves III, CB (Florida)

The only reason I rank Hargreaves at this slot on this specific list is because it is going to be a bit tougher than it first appeared for him to nab a starting spot at Florida.

Marcus Roberson, Brian Poole and pretty much the entire Gators secondary will be returning for Dan Quinn in 2013, and that will make it hard for Hargreaves to get some snaps as a true freshman.

However, the 5'11", 180-pounder is a very smart, technically sound and athletic cover man so it won't be a huge shock to see him nab a starting nickel or dime CB spot. 

6. Kevin Olsen, QB (Miami)

Stephen Morris will be coming back, and Miami did sign Preston Dewey and Gary Crow last year at QB. However, the latter two are not world-beaters and Morris hasn't proven much in Coral Gables.

Olsen, with his 6'3" and 190-pound frame, has the smarts, poise, instincts and solid arm talent to come in and take over the QB position for Al Golden next year. Olsen is a good leader who plays steady and makes good decisions.

Look for him to be the QB for The U as it moves forward. 

5. Thomas Tyner, RB (Oregon)

This one really depends on if Tyner can stay healthy, among other factors. The 6' RB has bulked up to 218 pounds, and his speed still is amazingly good when healthy.

If he's healthy, then Thomas has the skill set to get himself a good amount of carries in week one next year for Oregon with De'Anthony Thomas and Byron Marshall on the roster.

4. Max Browne, QB (USC)

Lane Kiffin has had two years to decide on a back up QB and heir apparent to Matt Barkley between Max Wittek and Cody Kessler. To date, the two are still seen as a even, though it appears Wittek has won the No. 2 job for now.

That may be true, but it also could be that neither of the two have seized the job, which leaves the door open for a stud freshman like Max Browne to come in and take the job for himself as a true freshman.

USC is no stranger to starting a true freshman QB because Barkley did it himself in week one. The 6'5", 215-pound Browne is on pace to enroll early and compete in spring practices for the Trojans. 

3. Kendall Fuller, CB (Virginia Tech)

Fuller's brother Kyle and Antoine Exum will be back next year, but the starting nickel and dime CB spots could be there for the taking.

Donaldven Manning and Donald Riley are two fine young CBs for the Hokies, but Fuller is a better prospect than they are. As a true freshman, look for Fuller to see a lot of time and perhaps win the nickel job when camp breaks for week one next year.

I still expect him to be the top cover CB in Blacksburg by his sophomore year. 

2. Robert Nkemdiche, DE (Clemson)

Nkemdiche is the best prospect in the country and is already as big and strong as any of the returning DEs on the Tigers roster.

The 6'4" 270-pounder is ready to play college ball now and has the frame, strength and competitiveness to do so immediately. I think Nkemdiche will come to camp in 2013, learn a few more pass-rush moves and better hand usage and be a week one starter.

1. Reuben Foster, LB (Auburn)

Foster, like Nkemdiche, is just too good not to have on the field immediately. He's just ready to play college football now in the SEC and his 6'2", 250-pound frame is ripe to play.

Foster has the athletic tools and instincts to get the gist of Brian VanGorder's scheme and take the Mike linebacker position over as a true freshman.

He's ready to play against the big boys and will prove that early in Auburn camp 2013, which should net him a week one starting job.

Edwin Weathersby has worked in scouting/player personnel departments for three professional football teams, including the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns and the Las Vegas Gladiators of the Arena League. He spent a year evaluating prep prospects & writing specific recruiting and scouting content articles for Student Sports Football (now ESPN Rise-HS). A syndicated scout and writer, he's also contributed to WeAreSC.com, GatorBait.net and Diamonds in the Rough Inc., a College Football and NFL Draft magazine.