College Football Recruiting 2013: 1st-Year Predictions for the Top 10 Commits

Many recruits, highly touted or lowly recruited, take different career paths when they arrive in college.

Using USC, for example, Marqise Lee came into the Trojans program with the thought that he needed time to develop, while George Farmer was expected to make an early impact.

Well, we all know now that Lee is one of the nation's best offensive players, while Farmer has yet to really make any impact at USC.

With the top 10 committed recruits for this 2013 class, big expectations are all around these players. Some are expected to save programs and win championships, while others are expected to compete right away for starting time.

For this read, I'm handing out first-year predictions for the top 10 committed recruits.  

10. Darius James, OL

Commitment: Texas

James is considered by many to be the nation's best center prospect. He is from Texas and stands 6'5", 320 pounds.

With James' athleticism and strength, he should become an All-Big 12 lineman in a few years. Yet, Texas has signed several great OL prospects in recent years, so James could be in line to be redshirted.

First-Year Prediction: Redshirt

9. Christian Hackenberg, QB

Commitment: Penn State

Hackenberg has franchise QB skills and potential. The 6'3", 215-pounder has a quick release, field vision, arm strength and good accuracy.

He's headed to Penn State, and I think Hackenberg has what it takes to possibly take over the starting QB job as a true freshman for Bill O'Brien next season.

First-Year Prediction: Possible immediate starter

8. Jaylon Smith, OLB

Commitment: Notre Dame

Notre Dame runs a 3-4 defense, and Smith will fit in on the outside. The 6'3", 225-pound second-level defender excels in coverage due to great athleticism, speed, agility and quickness.

Smith could use his first year to add more strength, but I also can see him playing special teams and in sub-packages as a freshman for the Irish.

First-Year Prediction: Special teams playing time and snaps in sub-packages on defense

7. Su'a Cravens, S

Commitment: USC

Cravens is a 6'1", 205-pound instinctive football player who has athleticism and playmaking ability. He can play an array of positions, but he will start his USC tenure as a safety.

Joshua Shaw and Gerard Bowman will be back for the Trojans, but the safety spots could be up for grabs. Cravens could see early time for Monte Kiffin.

First-Year Prediction: Contender for playing time

6. Kenny Bigelow, DT

Commitment: USC

It'll be interesting to see what USC does with Bigelow in his first year.

Leonard Williams is pretty much starting at DT as a true freshman already, and George Uko is a budding star. Antwaun Woods and Christian Heyward are also young DTs.

Bigelow is a great talent, but I think he likely could be redshirted.

First-Year Prediction: Redshirt year due to depth chart

5. Carl Lawson, DE

Commitment: Auburn

Lawson is getting physically ready to play college ball with his 6'2", 255-pound frame. He has the strength, speed, quickness and athleticism to get some snaps at Auburn as a sub-rusher.

Lawson will need to learn the scheme, but perhaps Brian VanGorder can come up with ways to get him on the field in passing situations as a true freshman.

First-Year Prediction: Sub-package playing time

4. Max Browne, QB

Commitment: USC

Matt Barkley will be in the NFL next year, so the starting QB job at USC will be open.

Cody Kessler and Max Wittek have fought for the back-up job for two years, with Wittek having the edge for now.

However, Browne is graduating early, so the 6'5", 215-pound QB with a quick release could challenge for the job.

First-Year Prediction: Contend for starting job, possible redshirt

3. Vernon Hargreaves III, CB

Commitment: Florida

The Gator secondary will return almost all of its key contributors, so it could be tough for Hargreaves to see early playing time.

However, with his instincts and heady play, it's not out of the question that a scenario of Hargreaves quickly learning the Gator coverage schemes and cracking the 2-deep could happen.

This guy is the No. 1 CB in the country for a reason, but the depth chart will be a climb for him.

First-Year Prediction: Possible playing time or possible redshirt due to depth chart

2. Reuben Foster, LB

Commitment: Auburn

Foster is more than ready to play at Auburn this Saturday if he could. His frame is nothing of a teenager's, as he is 6'2" and close to 250 pounds.

Foster is a plug-and-play type of linebacker who is ready to go right now. Auburn could choose to turn him loose immediately, and that could pay early dividends for the Tigers.

First-Year Prediction: Key contributor

1. Robert Nkemdiche, DE

Commitment: Clemson

At 6'4" and 270 pounds with excellent power and strength, Nkemdiche also is ready for college football right now. He has the tenacity, speed and quickness to come into Clemson and help out from Day 1 as a true freshman.

I also can see Nkemdiche playing some DT in his first year, especially in sub-packages. Look for him to impact the Tiger DL unit like Jadeveon Clowney did at South Carolina in his first year.

First-Year Prediction: Key contributor, possible starter

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 and 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.