Why 5-Star 2015 Recruit Trent Thompson Will Make Biggest Impact as a Freshman

The high school football fields of South Georgia are where Trent Thompson crafted a resume that vaulted him into being rated as the nation's top defensive tackle in the 2015 class.

The 5-star phenom, who committed to Georgia in August, is now primed to wreak havoc as a freshman in the SEC next fall. 

According to MaxPreps, Thompson racked up 88 tackles for loss and recorded 21 sacks during his prep career at Westover High School in Albany, Georgia.

But what makes him a candidate to become a household name as an impact freshman next fall?

For starters, he's the nation's best talent at his position who steps into a situation of need in Athens.

Per Ourlads, the Bulldogs' top two defensive tackles, Mike Thornton and Toby Johnson, are seniors and will leave a void in the middle of the defensive line. 

He was simply a man among boys at the high school level—a point that was illustrated by Cairo (Georgia) High School head coach Tom Fallaw, who faced Thompson the last four seasons. 

"He's a kid that who is big, athletic and uses his size well," Fallaw told Bleacher Report before the season. "He can move. He's just one of those kids where after you look at him, it's a no-brainer that he can play at the next level."

Additionally, he could prove to be the missing link in defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt's defense in Athens.

Year	School	Rush Defense	Total Defense
2011	Alabama	1	1
2012	Alabama	1	1
2013	Florida State	18	3
2014	Georgia	54	13

The Bulldogs are ranked No. 54 nationally against the run this year, per CFBstats.com. That number is far below the units Pruitt coached at Florida State last season and as an assistant at Alabama in the previous two seasons.

Those units had dominant defensive tackles plugging the middle such as Timmy Jernigan at FSU and Josh Chapman and Jesse Williams at Alabama.

Considering that Thompson recorded 74 tackles for loss over the last two seasons, he's displayed a tendency to get penetration and control the point of attack despite constant double teams.

His prep sack total also displays his versatility, which suggests that he can prove to be an effective pass-rusher in obvious passing downs on the next level.

After a year of ups and downs, Pruitt's defense figures to improve vastly in his second season. The 'Dawgs are scheduled to return six starters on defense, including young emerging players such as linebacker Lorenzo Carter and safety Dominick Sanders.

Their main priority over the offseason will be retooling the defensive line, and that's where Thompson—who is one of seven defensive linemen committed in the 2015 class—will be counted on.

Competing as a true freshman in the trenches of the SEC may seem like a daunting task.

However, in class loaded with a number of top defensive tackle prospects, expect Thompson to be one of the rare specimens capable of meeting that challenge.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow @SanjayKirpalani