College Football Summer Enrollees We're Excited to See Most in 2015
In recent years, the college football recruiting cycle has sped up considerably. Recruits are committing to programs earlier. They’re also enrolling earlier in the hopes of acclimating to their colleges of choice earlier through spring practice—and earning early playing time, of course.
Some coaches are pushing for an early signing period which would lock prospects into their programs before early February and give coaches an opportunity to focus on late-deciding recruits. However, Michael Carvell of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution notes that there are mixed feelings about an early period.
This season, a number of high-profile recruits enrolled early, but a healthy portion of 247Sports’ Top 250 recruits signed on the traditional national signing day on the first Wednesday in February. They didn’t go through spring practice but will still have a chance to acclimate, enrolling in summer classes and going through informal workouts with their new teammates.
Here’s a look at the 2015 summer enrollees we’re most looking forward to seeing.
Clemson WR Deon Cain
1 of 10
Over the past few years, Clemson has developed a reputation as Wide Receiver U. DeAndre Hopkins, Sammy Watkins and Martavis Bryant have made big NFL impacts, and wide receivers coach/new co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott is developing the next wave in big target Mike Williams and jitterbug Artavis Scott.
Clemson keeps recruiting talented wide receivers, and Tampa native Deon Cain is part of that next wave. Cain stands 6’1”, 194 pounds and was considered one of the nation’s top 20 overall prospects by 247Sports.
Cain spent his high school career as a quarterback but was recruited as a wide receiver. He has standout ball skills and solid change-of-direction ability and figures to be an immediate factor in the Tigers offense while he learns from Williams, Scott and senior Charone Peake, among others.
Auburn DE Byron Cowart
2 of 10
On national signing day, Florida’s loss was Auburn’s gain.
Auburn saw an immediate dividend from hiring former Florida coach Will Muschamp as its defensive coordinator, as Muschamp helped key a late charge to pluck one of the nation’s top overall prospects from the Sunshine State.
Defensive end Byron Cowart is rated as the nation’s No. 3 overall recruit and should create an immediate impact for a defensive line that badly needs punch. Auburn managed only 21 sacks in 13 games a year ago. Cowart should join defensive end Carl Lawson (returning from a torn ACL) to add pass-rush skills.
He stands 6’4”, 250 pounds and has excellent speed, hand skills and pursuit skills that will make him a fixture in SEC offensive backfields almost immediately. He is a lock to see the field this fall and likely pick up multiple sacks as he learns his way around.
Ohio State LB Justin Hilliard
3 of 10
As the defending national champions, Ohio State doesn’t have a lot of holes in its starting lineup entering 2015. The Buckeyes return 14 starters, and while middle linebacker Curtis Grant must be replaced, sophomore Raekwon McMillan is in line to step into his role.
That said, McMillan laid out a blueprint that Justin Hilliard could follow in 2015. Hilliard, a 5-star recruit, picked Ohio State and figures to see some playing time this fall as a 6’0”, 225-pound prospect.
Hilliard has excellent athleticism and works well in space as a pursuit linebacker. He also has solid quickness, movement and tackling skills. Expect him to find a role on the Buckeyes’ talented defense and work his way into a more comfortable, productive position.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Florida OT Martez Ivey
4 of 10
If Florida’s offensive line room doesn’t have a “Help Wanted’ sign on its door, the Gator coaching staff is doing it wrong. Florida finished spring in dire straits on the O-line, with only six healthy scholarship offensive linemen.
The Gators have lost five offensive linemen and a combined 47 starts from a year ago, including left tackle D.J. Humphries, who was a first-round NFL draft pick. Right tackle Rod Johnson was expected to slide over to left tackle to replace him but was forced to give up football this spring due to spinal stenosis, or narrowing of the spinal column.
That makes Martez Ivey’s arrival even more important.
Ivey, who stands 6’5”, 275 pounds, chose Florida on national signing day and was rated as the nation’s No. 2 overall prospect by 247Sports. Ivey has great athleticism, quickness and foot speed and is well-rounded in both pass and run blocking. It’s uncommon for true freshman offensive linemen to contribute, but Florida’s situation forces its hand.
The Gators will see what they have with Ivey this fall, and he’ll likely serve with sophomore David Sharpe as a starting tackle, ready or not.
Southern California CB Iman Marshall
5 of 10
Following a 9-4 2014 season, Southern California appears ready to take the next step toward national contention under second-year head coach Steve Sarkisian.
The Trojans will return 15 starters and figure to be strong College Football Playoff contenders. Sarkisian also signed an excellent recruiting class, highlighted by cornerback Iman Marshall.
Marshall stands 6’1”, 190 pounds and has excellent size for a cornerback, which will help him adjust quickly to collegiate receivers. He is rated as the nation’s No. 4 overall prospect by 247Sports and has great speed and change-of-direction skills.
With Josh Shaw’s graduation, USC has an opening in its secondary, but standout sophomore athlete Adoree’ Jackson should fill the starting cornerback role opposite Kevon Seymour. Either way, Marshall will see plenty of playing time and will have multiple opportunities to flash his skills in 2015.
Tennessee DT Kahlil McKenzie
6 of 10Last fall was something of a lost season for Kahlil McKenzie.
The 6’3”, 354-pound defensive tackle was regarded as one of the nation’s top overall prospects (No. 6 overall by 247Sports), but didn’t play a down after transferring from De La Salle to Clayton Valley Charter and losing a transfer appeal to California high school officials.
His inaction didn’t hurt his value to college coaches, as he signed with an up-and-coming Tennessee program. The Volunteers played 23 freshmen last fall and signed a great recruiting class but need help at defensive tackle.
McKenzie possesses excellent strength, a great motor and excellent skills at the point of attack, allowing him to make an impact in opponents’ backfields.
You can bet he can’t wait to make an early impact on Rocky Top, either.
Florida State CB Tarvarus McFadden
7 of 10Florida State has reached the point as a national program where it doesn’t rebuild. The Seminoles and coach Jimbo Fisher reload.
That was the case this winter. Fisher lost Ronald Darby and P.J. Williams to the NFL draft but offset those losses by landing cornerback Tarvarus McFadden.
McFadden, who stands 6’2”, 198 pounds, has solid instincts, playmaking and ball skills. He is rated as the nation’s No. 15 overall prospect by 247Sports. He should find an immediate spot in FSU’s defensive two-deep.
Florida State has opportunity. McFadden has talent. It’s a perfect match in Tallahassee.
Texas A&M QB Kyler Murray
8 of 10
Kyler Murray already had a place in the hearts of Texas A&M fans. After all, his father was one of the best quarterbacks in the program's history, and the younger Murray turned down a strong push from rival Texas to sign with the Aggies in February.
Recently, he endeared himself even more by announcing that he had pulled his name out of next month’s MLB amateur draft. "Opting out of the MLB draft. Looking forward to continuing my football and baseball career at Texas A&M University," he tweeted.
Murray is a two-sport star, and there was legit reason for A&M fans to be nervous about the 5’10”, 180-pound quarterback’s baseball prospects.
Instead, he’ll arrive on campus this summer and push returning starter Kyle Allen for an immediate role. Murray has standout arm strength, pocket presence, footwork and accuracy and will be a special player in College Station.
We’ll find out soon how quickly his legacy will begin.
Alabama WR Calvin Ridley
9 of 10
Alabama’s passing offense thrived in Lane Kiffin’s first season as offensive coordinator. The Tide averaged 277.9 passing yards per game, No. 29 nationally, and senior quarterback Blake Sims threw for 3,487 yards and 28 touchdowns for the College Football Playoff qualifier.
But as the Tide prepares for 2015, that passing game is being rebuilt. Sims is gone. So is Biletnikoff Award winner Amari Cooper, who made 124 catches for 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns, as well as No. 2 and No. 3 receivers DeAndrew White and Christion Jones.
Chris Black emerged as the top receiver during spring practice, but he’ll need help. That’s where Calvin Ridley comes in.
Ridley is 6’0” and 170 pounds and is the nation’s top wide receiver prospect. He has great speed, hands and agility and is a threat to make a big play at any moment.
Expect him to have an early impact, no matter who’s throwing the passes this fall in Tuscaloosa.
Georgia DT Trent Thompson
10 of 10
Georgia’s defense took a step forward in 2014 under new defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, and with six starters returning this fall, the Bulldogs should be pretty salty again.
A huge reason for optimism? The arrival of defensive tackle Trent Thompson.
Thompson, who is rated as the top overall prospect in the class of 2015 by 247Sports, figures to step in and play an immediate role for Georgia’s defensive line.
He stands 6’2” and weighs 313 pounds and will make an immediate impact as a run-stuffing tackle with pass-rush skills. He could find his way into the starting lineup eventually this season.
He has great explosiveness off the ball, good strength and hand quickness and was coveted by programs across the nation.
Mark Richt and Pruitt’s staff anxiously await his arrival.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
