2015 College Football Recruits with Most Star Potential

Reinforcements are on the way.

The sadness that comes with the end of a college football season can be tempered by knowing there's a large pool of talent waiting to show up on campuses and contribute right away. The 2015 recruiting class is as strong as any in the past decade, and with freshmen making more of an impact than ever, many of these prospects will end up starting next fall.

And several have the chance to be stars right out of the gate.

The 2014 class featured the likes of LSU running back Leonard Fournette, Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett and Florida State running back Dalvin Cook among the many true freshmen who have already become stars.

Who's in line to do that from the 2015 crop? Check out our list of some of the recruits that have the most star potential.

Blake Barnett

Position: Dual-threat quarterback

Height, weight: 6'4.5", 200 lbs

Ranking: 12th

After seeing what Lane Kiffin was able to do with Blake Sims this season, a lot of top-tier quarterback recruits are likely to be looking at Alabama for their future plans. But Blake Barnett pledged to the Crimson Tide in June, before Kiffin had a chance to show off his talents as offensive coordinator in Tuscaloosa.

The thought of Barnett and Kiffin working together next season is almost too good to be true.

Originally a Notre Dame commit before flipping to Alabama, Barnett is the top-rated dual-threat passer in the 2015 class. The Tide haven't had a truly mobile quarterback before, but Sims did rush for 321 yards and six touchdowns this season.

Barnett figures to blow those rushing numbers away when he gets into the mix, rushing for nearly 700 yards with 13 TDs as a junior at Santiago High School in Corona, California. This past season he had 479 rushing yards and seven TDs along with 3,392 passing yards with 23 scores.

"As Saban has pointed out numerous times in recent years, having a quarterback who can make plays with his feet is useful in any style of offense, and it's clear that bringing in a more athletic player under center is an idea that has been on Saban's mind for several years," wrote Matt Scalici of AL.com.

Terry Godwin

Position: Athlete

Height, weight: 6'0", 168 lbs

Ranking: 20th

Though he's been committed to Georgia for more than 11 months, Terry Godwin remains a hot commodity on the recruiting circuit. He's already visited his pledged school, but the departure of offensive coordinator Mike Bobo—who was integral in landing the two-way player—to Colorado State could make his upcoming visits more critical.

Alabama, Auburn and Texas A&M are all set to host the wide receiver/defensive back in January, and all three of them could have a use for him on either side of the ball. He seems more interested in playing receiver, though, telling Wesley Sinor of AL.com in May that "the things I can do with the ball in my hands—any offense I go to I'll be able to fit in because of my skill set."

A Georgia native, he's listed as the top-rated athlete in 2015.

Martez Ivey

Position: Offensive tackle

Height, weight: 6'6", 270 lbs

Ranking: 1st

The average college football fan doesn't pay much attention to what happens in the trenches, but a strong offensive line is as much a key to success as any other place on the field. Offensive linemen also tend to be a good mine for star talent, based on how offensive big blockers end up going high in the NFL draft.

Martez Ivey recently moved up to No. 1 in 247Sports' national composite rankings for the 2015 class, and he remains uncommitted. He was already receiving heavy interest from plenty of schools before the ranking, but now the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Florida and LSU are fighting hard to get this tall and rangy tackle from Apopka, Florida.

"He has the potential to claim multiple All-American honors and develop into a coveted NFL prospect while competing against the country's top defensive fronts," wrote Tyler Donohue of Bleacher Report, who noted that Ivey was impressive during the summer when he lined up against top defensive lineman recruit Josh Sweat at The Opening.

Soso Jamabo

Position: Running back

Height, weight: 6'2.5", 210 lbs

Ranking: 27th

Of all the true freshmen who made names for themselves in 2014, the position that seemed to have the most breakthrough stars was running back. Florida State and Oregon both have first-year players handling the bulk of the carries in the backfield, with Dalvin Cook and Royce Freeman figuring to be among the best their school has ever had by the time their careers are over.

Soso Jamabo has the potential to be the same, and the list of suitors is an impressive one. He has visited Notre Dame and UCLA, while Baylor, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas A&M are also hot on the trail of this big and strong back from Plano, Texas.

He ran for 2,279 yards with 44 touchdowns in 2014, including an epic 490-yard, six-touchdown effort in September. It was an example of Jamabo's great awareness of spacing, according to Rivals.com analyst Jason Howell, per SI.com.

"He has tremendous vision when it comes to seeing the field in front of him, seeing the running lanes, finding open spaces when he’s out and running routes out of the backfield," Howell told SI.com.

Malik Jefferson

Position: Linebacker

Height, weight: 6'2.5", 215 lbs

Ranking: 14th

Texas had a major recruiting coup last week when it landed a pair of big-time prospects in Malik Jefferson and DeAndre McNeal. Both figure to play big roles in what Charlie Strong is trying to do with the Longhorns, but Jefferson looks like he's going to be involved in that process from the moment he gets on campus.

"Jefferson is a can't-miss prospect if there is such a thing," wrote Jeff Howe of Horns247.com.

Though not immensely huge at this point—that's what college weight programs are for—what Jefferson has going for him that will give him a chance to start right away are his speed and reflexes. He's run a 4.57-second 40-yard dash, according to 247Sports, and he uses that quickness in conjunction with great instincts to take the proper route to his target.

"If he's got a beat on the ball and has a somewhat clean path to the ball-carrier, he's making the tackle and he'll get there in a hurry," Howe wrote.

Daylon Mack

Position: Defensive tackle

Height, weight: 6'0", 330 lbs

Ranking: 19th

Until last week, Daylon Mack was expected to be a huge part of Texas A&M's plans next season. He'll still be an impact-maker in the fall, but it will no longer be for the Aggies after he decommitted on Dec. 19.

The next day, Mack tweeted that LSU and TCU were his top two choices.

One of the best run-stoppers in the 2015 class, Mack has also shown great versatility and athleticism during his high school career. At Gladewater High School in Texas, he spent time in the backfield as a fullback and rushed for 260 yards and 12 touchdowns, according to Bleacher Report's Tyler Donohue.

His eventual program could affect the overall star potential of Mack. At LSU, he would be another in a long line of standout defensive linemen, but Donohue wrote that at TCU he could become a "program-changer" for a team that went from 4-8 in 2013 to the brink of the first College Football Playoff this season.

Iman Marshall

Position: Cornerback

Height, weight: 6'1", 190 lbs

Ranking: 3rd

Strong cover corners who can also factor into run defense aren't just growing on trees, though they do seem to exist more frequently in Southern California than elsewhere. Last year's crop included Adoree' Jackson, who went on to be a key piece of USC's secondary in his first season, and Iman Marshall could be heading in the same direction.

Marshall is getting courted by the Trojans as well as Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Texas. USC figures to have the best shot at this Long Beach Poly product, though Steven Lorenz of 247Sports (subscription required) reported that Marshall is closely monitoring Michigan's search for a head coach.

Whoever lands this hard-hitting defensive back will be getting a guy who wants to be in the mix on every play, which figures to make him a fan favorite instantly.

D'Anfernee McGriff

Position: Athlete

Height, weight: 6'1", 230 lbs

Ranking: 229th

Auburn has several other commitments from higher-rated players for 2015, but something about D'Anfernee McGriff makes it seem like he's going to have as big of an impact during his career as any other potential signee from this class.

It could be his mix of size and speed, which has enabled him to play both quarterback and receiver while also showing off his skills as a rusher in high school. It could be his confidence, which could be seen in how he describes his expected role with the Tigers as a slot receiver.

"I'm a mismatch nightmare," McGriff told Wesley Sinor of AL.com. "I say that because I'm just as fast as a DB, but I have the size of a running back. When they line me up against a DB, I can run right past him. If they line me up inside, I'm just as big as a linebacker, but I'm faster than them."

It could also be where he's coming from. McGriff played for Leon High School in Tallahassee, deciding to play in the SEC instead of staying home and being part of Florida State's future.

Kahlil McKenzie

Position: Defensive tackle

Height, weight: 6'4", 319 lbs

Ranking: 10th

When an incoming recruit has a family connection to his new school, it can sometimes mean that player has to face unfair expectations to perform like those relatives who previously starred there. Khalil McKenzie is heading to Tennessee as the latest in his family to play for the Volunteers, but he's good enough to be the best of the lot.

The Concord, California, resident chose Tennessee over Arizona in July partly because Knoxville was where his father, Reggie McKenzie, starred as a linebacker from 1981 to 1984, and where uncle Raleigh McKenzie (Reggie's twin brother) played at the same time.

He and defensive end Derek Barnett—one of many freshmen who starred for Tennessee this season—could make for an imposing one-two punch for the Volunteers as they continue their rise under coach Butch Jones.

Kyler Murray

Position: Dual-threat quarterback

Height, weight: 5'10", 180 lbs

Ranking: 24th

Having just wrapped up arguably the most successful high school career in Texas state history, Kyler Murray seems poised to chart a similar course at Texas A&M. It will mean having to battle several other notable quarterbacks already on the roster, but if anyone is able to do that, it's Murray.

He threw for 316 yards and five touchdowns over the weekend to lead Allen High School to the Texas 6A state title, its third straight crown. All three have had Murray running the offense, and he ends his career with a 42-0 record that included 18 "win-or-go-home playoff games," per Randy Jennings of MaxPreps (h/t Yahoo).

Murray threw for 91 touchdowns and ran for 42 more over the past two seasons, and his skill set looks very similar to a recent Texas A&M player who won the Heisman Trophy and lifted the program back into the national spotlight. Murray isn't guaranteed playing time next year, not with top 2014 recruit Kyle Allen starting games as a freshman as well as sophomore Kenny Hill still around, but he should get a chance to compete for the starting job.

Jovon Robinson

Position: Running back

Height, weight: 5'11", 225 lbs

Ranking: 1st (junior college)

When schools go after junior college players, they're doing so for two reasons: to fill an immediate need and to find guys ready to be key contributors right away. Auburn is graduating a mobile quarterback as well as its top two running backs, so the team has to deal with a big hole of rushing production for 2015.

Jovon Robinson figures to be a big part of that solution, and the country's top-rated junior college prospect has shown in his two seasons at Georgia Military College he has the potential to be a star.

Robinson ran for 3,198 yards and 43 touchdowns the past two years, and having already signed with Auburn he's on campus and has practiced with the team during its preparations for the Jan. 1 Outback Bowl against Wisconsin, according to Justin Hokanson of AuburnUndercover.com.

Josh Rosen

Position: Pro-style quarterback

Height, weight: 6'4", 205 lbs

Ranking: 8th

UCLA is almost guaranteed to be in need of a new star at quarterback next season, since junior Brett Hundley figures to turn pro following the Alamo Bowl on Jan. 2 against Kansas State. That guy may very well be the top piece of the Bruins' 2015 recruiting class—top quarterback prospect Josh Rosen.

Rosen, a local product who committed to UCLA in March, has been wowing scouts and recruiters for years. This summer he starred at the Elite 11 competition in Oregon, and then this fall he got St. John Bosco into the Pac 5 semifinals after leading the Jackrabbits to a state title in 2013.

According to MaxPreps, Rosen threw for 8,473 yards with 90 touchdowns and 14 rushing scores in three seasons as a starter.

Jarrett Stidham

Position: Dual-threat quarterback

Height, weight: 6'4", 195 lbs

Ranking: 26th

The last time Baylor got its hands on a superstar mobile quarterback, he won the school its first Heisman Trophy and helped lift the program to where it could build a fancy new stadium and become a national title contender. Jarrett Stidham has what it takes to do all of that, and maybe more.

The Bears got a commitment from the Stephenville, Texas, dual-threat passer on Dec. 19, six days after he backed off his earlier pledge to Texas Tech. He chose Baylor over Oregon, deciding he wanted to try and succeed Bryce Petty rather than be the next Marcus Mariota.

He could be either, as Stidham has displayed great arm strength and accuracy in high school and in skills camps while also showing off a mobility that Baylor hasn't had from its quarterback since Robert Griffin III left.

"In two seasons, the dual-threat prospect passed for 5,547 yards and 65 touchdowns, and rushed for 1,790 yards and 29 scores despite missing time as a senior with a broken hand," wrote Gerry Hamilton of ESPN.com.

Josh Sweat

Position: Defensive end

Height, weight: 6'5", 240 lbs

Ranking: 7th

It's usually the player's performance that makes his a star, but sometimes having the right name helps with the cause. Josh Sweat happens to be a stud defensive player who also has a catchy surname, which Florida State fans will love screaming out in celebration for the next few years.

The Virginia native committed to the defending national champions on Dec. 10, choosing FSU over Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon and Virginia Tech.

Though he suffered a freak injury during his senior season—a dislocated kneecap during a collision on an extra point, according to Chris Hays of the Orlando Sentinel—that caused 247Sports to drop him in its rankings from first to seventh, Sweat figures to be back to 100 percent in time for the 2015 season. He is expected to enroll early, according to Bud Elliott of SB Nation, which would enable him to continue his rehab with FSU's training staff.

Trent Thompson

Position: Defensive tackle

Height, weight: 6'4", 292 lbs

Ranking: 2nd

With the SEC becoming more and more of an offensive-minded league, there's even more of a need for top-notch defenders to level the playing field. Georgia looks like it has one in Trent Thompson, the state's top recruit, who committed to the program in August.

"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," Tom Fallaw, a high school coach whose team has faced Thompson, told Bleacher Report's Sanjay Kirpalani.

Though his high school team, Westover, only went 6-5 this season, that didn't keep Thompson from having a monster year. According to MaxPreps, he registered a whopping 36 tackles for loss to go along with four sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery.

Compared favorably to Auburn defensive tackle Montravius Adams, Thompson figures to slot right into defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt's plans up front.

Brandon Wimbush

Position: Dual-threat quarterback

Height, weight: 6'2", 205 lbs

Ranking: 55th

Certain places in sports lend themselves to stardom, and in college football there are few more famous combinations of school and position than quarterback at Notre Dame. It's as high-profile a spot as they come in the college game—one that comes with intense scrutiny, as Everett Golson has seen during his career with the Fighting Irish.

Brandon Wimbush doesn't seem scared of this massive spotlight, as he backed out of a commitment to Penn State in October and immediately flipped to Notre Dame.

"It was the best decision I could've made for myself," Wimbush told Rivals.com, per NBC Sports). "It was in my best interests, and it gives me the opportunity that I need for myself to succeed."

A New Jersey product, Wimbush led St. Peter's Prep to a state championship this season. In the title game he threw for 167 yards and ran for 158 more while accounting for three touchdowns, according to Colin Ward-Henninger of MaxPreps.com.

All recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.