2015 College Football Recruits: Top Prospects Who Will Make Biggest Impact

It seems as though there are more younger players making impacts on their respective teams each and every year. NFL rookies are tearing it up at the professional level, and many college freshmen are beginning to dominate the amateur gridiron.

The 2015 recruiting class is chock-full of talent, and following the conclusion of national signing day, we now know where they'll be calling home for their college careers. With the dust settled and the ink dried, it's time to turn our focus to the players who will be making headlines sooner rather than later.

While a great deal of these prospects will surely have early impacts, a few have the skill sets and environments that will serve as catalysts for immediate success. Let's take a look at the names to learn now before they start commanding headlines every Saturday.

Byron Cowart, DE, Auburn

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Ranked third overall in 247Sports' composite ratings, the 6'4", 250-pound Cowart signed his letter of intent with Auburn, choosing the Tigers over the in-state Florida Gators.

During a press conference, via Andrea Adelson of ESPN.com, Cowart explained that his official visit to Auburn and the school's hiring of former Florida coach Will Muschamp as defensive coordinator were his deciding factors.

He also let Adelson and other reporters know they should expect to watch him play with a chip on his shoulder:

"

During the season, people were saying, 'You didn't show me you were the No. 1 player.' I was angry and I was upset. There are some things I'm still upset about I have to prove in college. My immediate thing is to be consistent. That's why the All-America game, I was trying to be high tempo, high motor every day. I have a big chip on my shoulder. I have a boulder on my shoulder so I'm ready to get after it.

"

That's not a good sign for any opposing offensive linemen, as Cowart possesses a freakish blend of size, length and athleticism that should allow him to excel at any position along the defensive line. He has a tremendous burst off the line of scrimmage and can power through blockers on his way into the backfield.

Here's a look at the havoc he's capable of wreaking, via Mike Farrell of Rivals.com:

Auburn's defense wasn't quite as stout as head coach Gus Malzahn would have liked in 2014, as the team allowed an average of 26.7 points per game, ranking 63th in the nation. However, much of that can be attributed to the team's inability to pressure opposing quarterbacks, accumulating just 21 sacks last year.

Expect this team to unleash Cowart early in an effort to rectify that issue.

Iman Marshall, CB, USC

Credit: 247Sports

Ranked No. 4 overall in 247Sports' composite ratings, this 5-star cornerback can be an instant game-changer for the Trojans. On national signing day, Marshall chose between six finalists, and his decision to play college football at USC came with this epic video:

Sure, that production seems rather brash, but Marshall has been receiving plenty of hype leading up to his announcement, and he appears to have all of the tools to live up to expectations.

At 6'1" and 190 pounds, Marshall has the size and length of an elite outside corner. With his size comes a good deal of strength. He's a physical corner who flourishes in press coverage and can gain leverage against larger wide receivers. Although, he's very capable in off-coverage as well, boasting enough agility and speed to remain on the hip of smaller, faster receivers.

Marshall will play an immediate role in a USC secondary that boasts true freshman standout cornerback Adoree' Jackson and safety-linebacker hybrid Su'a Cravens.

This trio will give the Trojans one of the nation's most talented secondaries and should easily allow the team to improve from its 2014 ranking of 115th against the pass in the high-octane Pac-12.

Calvin Ridley and Daylon Charlot, WRs, Alabama

Credit: 247Sports

This wide receiver duo just may save Alabama's offense going forward. Former Crimson Tide standout Amari Cooper is off to the NFL, and Nick Saban's squad didn't exactly have much of an answer in terms of a replacement. Well, now Alabama has two.

According to 247Sports' composite ratings, Ridley is the No. 11 overall prospect and top wide receiver, while Charlot is ranked 90th overall and ninth at wide receiver.

Both players have the skill set and size—Ridley is 6'0" and 170 pounds; Charlot is 6'0" and 193 pounds—to excel immediately in the Crimson Tide offense.

Ridley appears to be Alabama's next No. 1 target. He has the length and leaping ability to create an enormous catch radius, and combined with his soft hands and great acceleration, he is a legitimate vertical threat. Here's a look at a perfect example of what he can do, via a tweet from Big County Preps:

Charlot figures to be a perfect complement to Ridley. An absolute burner, Charlot is difficult to catch when he generates a full head of steam.

Combined with his shiftiness and great vision, he is a terror in the open field and no stranger to racking up yards after the catch. This skill set also allows him to double as a returner, an area where he should see some time in Alabama.

Last season, Cooper went off for 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns on 124 receptions. Alabama's new receivers have some big shoes to fill, but they also have the talent to make the transition quickly.

All prospect rankings and measurables courtesy of 247Sports.