Top Incoming Freshmen with the Best Chance to Start in Week 1
Throughout spring practices, we've heard about early enrollee freshmen making an impact: UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen, Texas linebacker Malik Jefferson and Florida State safety Derwin James, just to name a few.
But what about the freshmen who have yet to arrive on campus? Which incoming players from the class of 2015 can come in and, right away throughout preseason camp, earn a starting job?
That's what we're to project.
Keep in mind that "starting" is a loose phrase. With so many different packages and subs at positions like defensive end/linebacker and in the defensive secondary, "starting" is more of a situational thing. With that in mind, here are the incoming freshmen from 247Sports' top 100 composite rankings who have the best chance to start in Week 1 based on post-spring depth charts and position needs.
Florida OL Martez Ivey
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Yes, incoming Florida offensive lineman Martez Ivey is a star in the making. The 5-star prospect was the crown jewel of head coach Jim McElwain's recruiting class with the Gators.
Ivey should play a lot this season right out of the gate because of necessity as much as anything else.
Florida was already dangerously thin along the O-line this spring. That dire situation got even worse in April when Rod Johnson, one of the more experienced players along the O-line, announced he had to retire from football because of a spinal condition.
Florida had just six scholarship O-linemen for the spring game and there's not much experience of which to speak. Ivey could easily slide into the starting lineup in Week 1.
Auburn DE Byron Cowart
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It's been well documented by this point that Auburn's pass rush was one of the worst in the SEC a year ago. (The Tigers had only 21 sacks in 13 games.) Getting living, breathing ManBearPig Carl Lawson back from a season-ending ACL injury certainly helps, but the Tigers could still afford to upgrade their edge-rushers.
Exactly where blue-chip defensive end prospect Byron Cowart fits into Auburn's defense remains to be seen.
"We haven't made those decisions," first-year defensive coordinator Will Muschamp said, per Joel Erickson, AL.com. "We've got to make those decisions when we come back in to fall camp."
With the way Muschamp organizes his defense, Cowart could "start" at a number of pass-rushing positions, even if they're situational. Given how aggressive Auburn's defense should be this year, there will be a place for him on the field right away.
USC DT Rasheem Green
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If USC's playoff hopes are going to come to fruition, the development of the defensive line will be a huge factor.
The loss of defensive end Leonard Williams to the NFL certainly hurts, but injuries and general attrition plagued this group during the spring. Antwaun Woods, Greg Townsend Jr. and Kenny Bigelow all missed time with various injuries.
With depth along the D-line such a concern, it's possible incoming 5-star defensive tackle Rasheem Green makes an impact right away. It's going to depend largely on how the D-line's more veteran players heal up during the summer months. If Bigelow isn't back to 100 percent from his knee injury, Green could get a starting spot by default.
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Michigan State RB LJ Scott
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With the departure of Jeremy Langford, Michigan State is looking for a new running back to emerge.
Sophomore Gerald Holmes and redshirt freshman Madre London split time during the spring game, but freshman LJ Scott could break into the rotation as well. Mike Wilson of 247Sports breaks down Scott's game:
"Scott is a powerful, big runner who moves the ball down the field in chunks. Despite being a bigger back, he is a quick cut player who runs with balance and breaks tackles. If his pass blocking is at a good level in fall camp, the carries will be up for grabs and he will take some."
The Spartans have been fortunate to have bellcow backs over the past few years with Langford and Le'Veon Bell, but 2015 could be a break from that trend. That's good news if Scott is trying to move into the starting lineup.
Texas DB Holton Hill
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Texas has major needs that need to be filled in the defensive secondary after losing cornerback Quandre Diggs and safety Mykkele Thompson.
One of the incoming freshmen who could see playing time right away is 4-star cornerback Holton Hill. To some extent, fellow 4-star defensive back Kris Boyd could see the field in year one as well.
However, as noted by Jeff Howe of 247Sports, Hill has excellent size to be a true corner. Right now, Duke Thomas is the only guy who has locked down a corner spot:
"The 6-foot-2-inch, 180-pound Hill not only has the talent to come in right away and claim a spot in the two-deep, but he's got the built-in advantage of cornerback being one of the easier positions at which to make the transition from the high school level to the college game. He's got length, speed, deceptive athleticism and ball skills, all tools that could make him an elite cornerback by the time he's done in Austin. Plan on seeing Hill on the field early and often in 2015.
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Hill could start in Week 1 for the Horns, not unlike a few guys on defense (*wink* *wink* Malik Jefferson).
Florida DE CeCe Jefferson
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Florida could be starting a pair of true freshmen in the trenches in 2015. In addition to Martez Ivey, defensive end CeCe Jefferson could see the field immediately.
With the loss of Dante Fowler Jr., the Gators are in need of an edge-rusher. Defensive coordinator Geoff Collins may run a more traditional 4-3 defensive front, but he should mix in some 3-4 looks as well. However he does it, there will be room for Jefferson to come in—at the very least—for some situational packages. Whether he's an every-down "starter" in a 4-3 remains to be seen.
Jefferson has the talent, to be sure. It's a matter of where and how the new coaching staff wants to use him.
Georgia DT Trent Thompson
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The No. 1 overall recruit for the 2015 class could start from Day 1 for Georgia. As Jake Rowe of 247Sports argues, Trent Thompson's "raw ability will make it extremely tough to keep him off the field."
"Right now, Georgia doesn't have a player on its roster with the size/first-step combo of Thompson," Rowe said. "That is a truly elite part of his game as is his mean streak and motor. He plays with a tremendous amount of aggressiveness and does a excellent job of pursuing the football for a 300-plus pounder."
So many players on this list could see the field right away out of necessity; there may not be the ideal depth to redshirt them. Thompson, on the other hand, is physically ready to compete at the college level. There's no way Georgia's coaching staff doesn't put him on the field.
Ben Kercheval is a lead writer for college football. All quotes cited unless obtained firsthand. All recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports. All stats courtesy of cfbstats.com.
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