12 2014 College Football Recruits Most Likely to Start as Freshmen

It isn't easy to come in as a recruit and start as a freshman. For starters, the depth chart is likely to have several other older players who know the playbook better than the young recruit. Then, the speed of the game is a huge jump from high school ball and takes time to get used to.

Other factors such as size, scheme fit and how a player adjusts to college academic life and student life also play a role in whether a recruit can make it as a freshman.

However, starting as a freshman is a goal of many of the nation's best recruits year in and year out. Many want early playing time, and recruits do a ton of depth-chart projecting before making their final decisions.

While it is early for the 2014 class, I see 12 prospects whom I believe have what it takes to start in the freshman year. Here are the top 12 recruits who are most likely to start as freshmen from the 2014 class.

Clifton Garrett, LB

Clifton Garrett has a college player's frame right now at 6'2" and close to 230 pounds. He's advanced physically for his age and also has good athleticism.

Garrett plays linebacker and could come in and help plug run alleys as a freshman for a school. He's got the movement skills and speed to notch a good amount of tackles and should factor immediately as a special teams player.

KD Cannon, WR

The way offenses are spreading it out nowadays, more and more receivers will be needed. What's also helping is that high school offenses are more sophisticated these days as well.

That's why KD Cannon, a 6'0" wide receiver from Texas who weighs about 160 pounds, could be ready to play as a freshman in college. Cannon has great speed and finds ways to get open.

He's productive and quick, which should help his case to catch some passes in 2014. 

Khairi Clark, DT

Khairi Clark is ready to come in and eat up space for a college defense right now. He's 6'2" and 325 pounds already, but isn't just a big clogger.

Clark has some explosion at the snap, is strong at the point of attack and is more nimble than you think. I feel he has a chance to work his way into the D-line rotation and notch a few starts as a college freshman. 

Raekwon McMillan, LB

The 6'3" Raekwon McMillan weighs nearly 240 pounds and has outstanding size already for the linebacker position. He's also a good athlete who can track the run with speed and range.

McMillan has the instincts, tackling skills and speed to come in and help a defense for at least the first two initial downs of a series. His pass-coverage skills will come in time.

Jalen Hurd, RB

Running back is one of the easiest positions to make an early impact at, especially if your big and productive. Jalen Hurd is both of those things, as the 6'3", 225-pounder ran for over 3,000 yards and 40 scores as a junior.

From Tennessee, Hurd can run with the big boys inside, has the strength to get yards after contact and flashes quick feet at times. I fully expect him to get some carries as a freshman in college. 

Tony Brown, CB

I sincerely believe this guy is ready to join a program and work as the nickel or dime press corner today. Tony Brown is big, physical, tough, fast, long and smart.

He's 6'0", weighs about 185 pounds and could even grow into a safety later on in college. Nickel packages, dime packages or special teams, he could have a niche as a freshman. 

Lorenzo Carter, DE/OLB

Lorenzo Carter has a chance to become a standout pass-rusher due to his 6'6", 232-pound frame, athleticism, quickness, length and strength.

He could go to a program that runs a 3-4 defense and rush from a two-point stance with ease. Carter also can put his hand down and convert speed to power as a traditional 40-front defensive end.

I think he has a chance to climb a depth chart and become a starting sub-rusher as a freshman. 

Quin Blanding, S

Quin Blanding is the top safety in America and is committed to Virginia. Before he leaves Mike London's program, I expect him to be a team captain.

This guy's a natural leader, has an admirable work ethic and is vocal on the field. The 6'2", 200-pounder also has great speed, range, instincts and ball skills.

Wahoo fans should be expecting an early impact from him in 2014. 

Andrew Brown, DT

From Virginia, like Blanding, Andrew Brown is a 6'4" defensive tackle who weighs over 290 pounds right now. I've likened him to a cross between Kenny Bigelow and Eddie Vanderdoes in the past.

He's explosive at the snap, strong at the point of attack and can use his hands very violently. I have little doubt that he should be ready to contribute to a college football defense when the fall of 2014 rolls around. 

Sony Michel, RB

Sony Michel should be ready to tote the rock a couple times as a freshman—easily. He's 5'11" and has bulked up to 205 pounds while still possessing good speed and quickness.

So you figure he should be 210-215 as a freshman, and his instincts, vision and awareness as runner should only be even more superb. This is a running back prospect who could be a three-year player in college and off to the NFL. 

Da'Shawn Hand, DE

There's no need to redshirt this guy unless he suffers a serious injury, and we all hope that doesn't happen at all. 

Da'Shawn Hand has an opportunity to be a special pass-rusher and should be a dominant player by his junior season. He's 6'5", nearly 250 pounds and is extremely sudden and explosive at the snap.

He's also pretty strong on his feet and uses his hands well. It's one thing to get some snaps as a sub-rusher as a freshman, but Hand could be a full-time starter right off the bat.

Leonard Fournette, RB

From Louisiana, Leonard Fournette looks like a college running back right now at 6'1" and 225 pounds. He's got good speed, flashes some wiggle and elusiveness in the open field and has the quickness to get to the edges of the box.

Fournette also can muscle up and power through interior holes with force and strength. He's got a good burst to his running ability and has very good vision and instincts.

Lastly, Fournette shows good hands and is a weapon on third down. He's going to make an impact as a freshman—book it.

Edwin Weathersby is the College Football Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. He 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 (formerly 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.