National Signing Day 2015: Analyzing Classes with Most Immediate Impact Recruits
Every school offers the same full-ride scholarships come national signing day, but the way the cupboards are stocked varies from program to program.
Take a place like Alabama, for instance. With Nick Saban well into his dynasty building in Tuscaloosa, he has so much 5-star talent dripping from the walls that even the most marquee recruits in his top-ranked classes have to settle for special teams play before working their way into more impacting game action.
While there remain plenty of programs in which it's beyond hard for even top-caliber names to stand out as freshmen, there are others in which those same freshman can be among the most important players on the team from Day 1.
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The following list is in light of those programs, as we take a look at three recruiting classes that will boast the most immediate-impact players come 2015. And they happen to be three of the best classes overall, too.
Tennessee
The Tennessee Volunteers fielded one of the nation's youngest teams in 2014, but they're getting even younger entering 2015—and noticeably better.
Butch Jones closed another top-caliber recruiting class in style Wednesday, locking down the No. 3 overall class nationally according to 247Sports composite team rankings. But while they added 29 standout players, the best ones they added came in the trenches—where the Vols needed help the most.
There isn't a bigger one—in size or impact—than Kahlil McKenzie, the nation's No. 2 defensive tackle and No. 6 player nationally. Him and Shy Tuttle (No. 9 defensive tackle and already enrolled) could both end up starting by year's end, but it's McKenzie who is wowing the most, per 247Sports' Wes Rucker:
Defensive coordinator John Jancek has only been able to mention the players for less than a day, but has already bestowed high expectations upon McKenzie:
Not to be outdone by the defensive line, the Vols also cleaned up in the offensive trenches as well—although it came last minute. After a final-weekend visit to Knoxville, Tennessee flipped No. 3 offensive tackle Drew Richmond from Ole Miss.
Not many teams had a more glaring weakness than Tennessee in 2014, as it allowed 43 sacks one year after losing five offensive linemen to the NFL. But after nabbing the in-state product from the Rebels at the last second, they could have a Day 1 starter on their hands.
Add those impact players to the arrival of top junior college target Alvin Kamara—a former Alabama running back—to go alongside rising sophomore Jalen Hurd, and you have one of the nation's most improved teams entering 2015.
USC
Already bestowed with a star-studded class filled with early impact players, the USC Trojans cleaned up on national signing day to further bolster their insane class.
In his first full recruiting cycle, Steve Sarkisian made splash after splash. A few of them came on Wednesday with the late commitments of No. 1 cornerback Iman Marshall, No. 6 outside linebacker John Houston and No. 5 defensive tackle Rasheem Green, but the class had already been loaded with early impact players before that.
While three 5-star players are yet to arrive in Los Angeles, some of the most important prospects are already on campus. Chuma Edoga is perhaps the most in line for playing time, as the No. 1 offensive guard joins an offensive line that started two freshmen at guard down the stretch of 2014.
Isaac Whitney should be an immediate impact as well. The junior college standout ranked as the No. 5 JUCO wideout in the nation, and like Edoga is already enrolled. They also have the quarterback of the future on campus, as No. 6 pro-style quarterback Ricky Town will be able to learn from Cody Kessler in his final collegiate season.
But when it comes to a class with four 5-stars and 12 4-stars, there are simply too many players who will make an impact from Day 1 to mention.
Texas
Head coach Charlie Strong desperately needed to make some splashes in his first full recruiting cycle at Texas, and that's exactly what he did.
The Longhorns finished with the eighth-ranked class per the 247Sports composite team rankings, even after missing on a couple of 5-star talents on national signing day. While they locked down only one 5-star, they have a whopping 17 4-star players—more than any other program—to pick between for early playing time.
Like the best programs are able to do, Texas has gotten its most crucial recruit on campus already. No. 1 outside linebacker Malik Jefferson—a 6'2", 215-pound speedster—is already working out with the team and should be able to use the early exposure to get on the field early and often.
The other key players are yet to join but have already signed. Among them is No. 8 running back Chris Warren, who should crack the rotation immediately after the departure of leading rusher Malcolm Brown. At 6'2" and 240 pounds, he'll have no trouble moving the pile.
The defensive-minded Strong is likely more excited about the early impacts of No. 7 cornerback Holton Hill and No. 11 cornerback Kris Boyd, however. With Jordan Hicks and Quandre Diggs departing over the offseason, both starting spots will be up for grabs and both incoming corners will have a shot at winning one of the jobs.
One thing is certain—with a few more classes like this, Strong won't have any trouble competing in the Big 12 and on the national stage.
All recruiting rankings and info courtesy of 247Sports unless otherwise noted.
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