10 College Football Freshmen Who Need to Step It Up

One of the more inspiring things in college football is seeing young players step onto the field and contribute right away. While upperclassmen usually have the advantage in experience, we are seeing more and more talented freshmen step up and make solid contributions to their football team.

Players such as Clemson's Sammy Watkins and USC Trojans wide receiver Marqise Lee were the highlights of last season. This year, there are many players that are making their name known early on, such as Alabama running back T.J. Yeldon.

But then there are the players that have all of the potential in the world, but haven't exactly fulfilled our expectations early on.

Here are 10 college football players that need to get the ball rolling, and help their football team more.

Shaq Roland, WR, South Carolina

Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery moved on, and is now making a name for himself with the Chicago Bears. Many Gamecock fans were wondering who would be his replacement, and then came along former 5-star recruit Shaq Roland.

He is that guy that can get downfield in a hurry, stretch the field and has terrific ball skills. It really put a lot of minds at ease when Roland picked South Carolina over schools such as Alabama, Clemson, Florida and LSU.

But after just two games, Roland only has two receptions for 25 yards, and with a possible backup quarterback starting this weekend, he will certainly need to step up for this team. If South Carolina is going to become a true contender in the SEC this year, playmakers such as Roland have to begin making plays.

Davonte' Neal, WR/PR, Notre Dame

Who is going to play quarterback? How will the paper-thin secondary pan out? Those were just some of the questions Irish fans were asking during the offseason.

The good news is that Notre Dame landed a player who was versatile enough to help in many different ways in Davonte' Neal. He isn't the biggest player in the world at 5'10", 175 pounds, but has the speed and footwork to play corner and runs great routes as a receiver.

And while head coach Brian Kelly has the true freshman as the punt returner, he is only averaging 2.4 yards a return on five attempts. This is an area that Notre Dame has struggled with over the years, and while the Irish are having a great season early on, solid special teams can really go a long way in winning more games.

Deontay Greenberry, WR, Houston

Speaking of Notre Dame, wide receiver Deontay Greenberry turned down the Irish at the last minute to become a Houston Cougar. Yes, you read that correctly. Houston has quickly jumped out to a 0-2 record and the future does not look bright for this program moving forward.

Despite being one of the bigger receivers of the 2012 class at 6'2", 185 pounds, Greenberry is seventh on the team with only five catches for 34 yards and a touchdown. The former 4-star recruit is a huge target, has great hands, and isn't afraid to go across the middle to make a tough catch in traffic.

The Cougars are the fourth best passing team in the country; you would think he would be a little more productive in this offense.

Joe Bolden, LB, Michigan

Joe Bolden was considered one of the top linebackers of the 2012 class. He enrolled in school early, made an impact in spring camp and has many fans across Ann Arbor buzzing. You rarely see young players who are as physical and explosive as Bolden is in his first season.

Despite being labeled as a backup linebacker, Bolden saw significant playing time in Week 2 and finished the game with 10 tackles. There is even a chance that he could top senior Kenny Demens for the starting position if he continues on this path.

Bolden has the potential to become an All-Big Ten selection in time, he just needs to continue to step it up and become a starter on this defense.

Keith Marshall, RB, Georgia

Once running back Isaiah Crowell got into his off-the-field incident and was dismissed from the team, Georgia began to depend on a pair of very young running backs. Freshman Todd Gurley has taken the college football world by storm, averaging over nine yards a carry and scoring three touchdowns. Now it is time for Keith Marshall to pick up the pace.

Many recruiting sites had Marshall as the top running back in the country (yes, even above T.J. Yeldon). After just two games, the former 5-star recruit is averaging less than four yards a carry and has yet to find the end zone on 23 total touches.

With an experienced quarterback in Aaron Murray leading the way, the Bulldogs could have one of the best young backfields in the country; Marshall just needs to pick up the slack.

Wes Lunt, QB, Oklahoma State

Wes Lunt became the first true freshman quarterback to start for the Oklahoma State Cowboys in their program's history. He really impressed head coach Mike Gundy with his performances in fall camp and made everyone believe that he gave the team the best chance to win right away.

The positives are that he has amazing size at 6'4", 211 pounds and is completing a little over 67 percent of his passes. The negative is that he threw three interceptions against Arizona, a game that the Cowboys could have won had they not turned the ball over four times.

Lunt has the makeup of a solid quarterback once he gets more experience under his belt, but in a conference where there are many great quarterbacks, the true-freshman must make better decisions with the football if Oklahoma State is to remain competitive.

Shaquille Thompson, DB, Washington

It is hard for a true freshman defensive player to step on the field right away and become a starter. Shaquille Thompson was able to do it, as the former 5-star recruit is considered the starting nickleback for the Washington Huskies.

He does everything right for a young defensive player as he is solid in coverage, has good instincts on the football field and isn't afraid to help in run support. The problem is that the defense of Washington is still carrying some of the bad habits from a year ago and needs to improve as a whole.

One of the ways to make an impact on the defensive side of the ball is to create big plays, which Thompson is certainly capable of doing. With the heart of the Pac-12 schedule approaching, it is time for the true freshman to make a name for himself.

Stefon Diggs, WR, Maryland

If you are a fan of offensive production, watching the Maryland Terrapins is simply not for you. This team only scored seven points in the season opener against William & Mary, and it took them all four quarters just to do that.

Despite the struggles under head coach Randy Edsall, somehow he managed to convince wide receiver Stefon Diggs to join Maryland over schools such as Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Florida State and Michigan. The best way to describe the former 5-star recruit is that he has a ton of speed and is a threat to take it the distance every time.

We really can't expect much from Diggs with the lack of playmakers around him, but Edsall needs to find more ways to include him in this offense. This kid can help you get into the end zone, and possibly save the head coach's job, because 21.5 points per game won't cut it in the ACC.

Trey Metoyer, WR, Oklahoma

With all of the hype Trey Metoyer was receiving during the offseason, you would have expected this guy to throw the football and catch his own passes. After the first two games, he has seven receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown. Now those numbers are decent, but I have heard comparisons to Dez Bryant; I would like to see more out of the young man.

Metoyer has potential to drool over. He is 6'1", 190 pounds, has terrific hands, runs fabulous routes, picks up yards after the catch, and can go up and get it with the best of them. No, seriously, he can out-jump any defensive back you put on him.

And with this type of potential, I expect to see more production soon. Metoyer and Kenny Stills could possibly become one of the best wide receiver duos in the entire country.

Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Missouri

Possibly the only other player receiving more hype than Trey Metoyer was Dorial Green-Beckham. The 5-star receiver was considered the top player in the entire 2012 class and decided to stay close to home, picking Missouri over Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, LSU and Notre Dame.

In just two games with the Tigers, Green-Beckham has four receptions for 37 yards. Um, the guy is 6'6", 220 pounds and he runs a 4.4. I don't care who the quarterback is who is calling the plays, just throw the ball up there and this guy will go get it.

I'm going to love to see how he does against better SEC competition, and hopefully the Missouri offense looks for more ways to find the massive receiver.