Early Projections for 2015 Preseason Freshman All-American Team
Predicting which freshmen will become some of the nation's best is one of the toughest sets of preseason picks.
Depth charts aren't set in stone yet, and many of the top freshmen haven't even started practicing with their new teams yet. Also, guessing which small-school players will jump out from their low-star or no-star status to take over a team is nearly impossible.
However, using recruiting rankings and the best projections of what teams need right now, fans can start to figure out which players have the best chance to shine from day one. (And don't forget about those blue-chip players who took redshirts in 2014.)
Last year's FWAA Freshman All-America Team featured nine former 5-star players, including LSU's Leonard Fournette and Texas A&M's Myles Garrett. These rankings aren't perfect, but they can be a great predictor of success down the road.
With that in mind, here are the post-spring projections for the 2015 Freshman All-American Team. Tell us what you think about this list, or submit your own in the comment section below.
Quarterback
1 of 82015 Composite Ranking: 12 | Pro-Style QB Ranking: 1
Rosen's place as the successor for Brett Hundley at UCLA isn't etched in stone just yet, but all signs point to the California phenom taking over the Bruins' starting quarterback job this fall. With playmakers such as Paul Perkins, Jordan Payton and Thomas Duarte surrounding him, Rosen should be able to pick up where Hundley left off and showcase the elite intangibles that made him a can't-miss quarterback prospect.
"Based on spring practice, it's clear Rosen was the most consistent," Bleacher Report's Jason Fray wrote in his post-spring projection of the Bruins' two-deep depth chart. "The early enrollee out of St. John Bosco High School demonstrated very good physical tools to go along with immense mental acuity."
Running Backs
2 of 82014 Composite Ranking: 60 | RB Ranking: 9
The crown jewel of Minnesota's 2014 recruiting class redshirted his first season with the Golden Gophers, who were returning senior running back David Cobb. Now it's time for Jones to shine in an offense that paved the way for Cobb's back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.
Jones has the skill to rack up big yards on the ground this season for Minnesota, but he also could get plenty of them through the air. With star tight end Maxx Williams off to the NFL and no other receiver compiling more than 300 receiving yards last season, Minnesota head coach Jerry Kill said Jones was the best receiver on the roster this spring, according to the Star-Tribune's Joe Christensen.
2015 Composite Ranking: 59 | RB Ranking: 6
The top-rated player in Michigan State's latest recruiting haul is stepping into an ideal situation in East Lansing. The Spartans' top two running backs, Jeremy Langford and Nick Hill, have graduated, and the starting job in this ground-and-pound offense is wide-open.
Scott's punishing style of running is perfect for Michigan State's system. At 6'2" and 228 pounds, Scott already has the build of a back who could torment the Big Ten for years to come.
Wide Receivers and Tight End
3 of 82015 Composite Ranking: 11 | WR Ranking: 1
We've seen this script before from Alabama—several top receivers leave Tuscaloosa, and a top recruit from the Miami area steps onto campus the following fall. Ridley has a chance to follow in the footsteps of fellow South Florida star Amari Cooper, who was one yard shy of 1,000 in his breakout freshman season.
"I expect that he leads Alabama in receiving from day one," Bleacher Report's Michael Felder said. "I think this is a guy who has the opportunity to catch a lot of footballs, no matter who's throwing them to him. And, for that reason, I think he's going to be another top pick from Alabama's football factory."
2015 Composite Ranking: 19 | WR Ranking: 3
A lot of question marks surround the passing game at Florida State after the departure of Jameis Winston to the NFL. But whoever gets the chance to lead the Seminoles offense will have a young and dynamic talent out wide in Campbell.
The biggest advantage Campbell has on the rest of the nation's freshman receivers is that he enrolled early in Tallahassee. Campbell had a full spring camp to get familiar with his new teammates, learn the offense and record a highlight-reel touchdown catch in the Florida State spring game.
2015 Composite Ranking: 62 | TE Ranking: 1
Notre Dame has a tradition of producing great tight ends, and Jones looks like the next in line. A product of powerhouse Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Jones was the top tight end in the class of 2015 and someone Irish head coach Brian Kelly called a "special player" who "can do it all" back in February.
With this amount of talent and a spot at a school known as "Tight End U," Jones should feature heavily in Notre Dame's offense this season. Malik Zaire will have a young target who can run a wide variety of routes and catch almost any pass he throws.
Offensive Linemen
4 of 82015 Composite Ranking: 2 | OT Ranking: 1
It's no secret Florida is in a crisis along its offensive line. Injuries and overall depth issues were a headache for new head coach Jim McElwain this spring, as walk-ons had to take major spots on the depth chart.
But elite help is coming into Gainesville in the form of Martez Ivey. One of the nation's best overall players in the class of 2015, Ivey has the skill to take a starting job from day one with the Gators. There's nowhere to go but up for Florida's offense, and Ivey looks like he will play a major role in that turnaround.
2014 Composite Ranking: 27 | OT Ranking: 2
Maryland is another team that needs help across its front five. However, unlike Florida, the Terrapins already had a 5-star talent on campus this spring and last season after they made the decision to redshirt Prince.
One of the best recruits in Maryland's recent history has moved inside to guard, where he should have a major impact in transforming an offense that only averaged 121.9 rushing yards per game last season. Prince has great athleticism for his size, and that talent should be on full display at guard in 2015.
2014 Composite Ranking: 503 | OC Ranking: 6
While Kansas State is known for its love of JUCO recruits, the Wildcats picked up Risner from the high school ranks and redshirted him during the 2014 season. He learned from four-year starting center B.J. Finney and now has the opportunity to keep Kansas State moving forward.
Risner's battle with sophomore Reid Najvar for Finney's starting spot is set to continue into the fall, according to ESPN's Jake Trotter. The redshirt freshman practiced with the Wildcats' first-team offense the most, and he should be the one to anchor the Wildcats' offensive line this year.
2015 Composite Ranking: 52 | OG Ranking: 3
Ole Miss' last few recruiting classes have featured some top offensive line recruits. But injuries and lackluster play in 2014 mean most of the starting jobs are open in Oxford, and Patterson, a 4-star early enrollee, turned the heads of his new coaches during spring practice.
"He's got really good feet. His understanding, he's picked it up as good as I could have hoped," Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze told the Clarion-Ledger's Riley Blevins. "There's times, just like any offensive lineman, where things are moving fast for him. But I really think he's a talent there."
2014 Composite Ranking: 185 | OT Ranking: 15
Pittsburgh decided to redshirt Bookser in 2014, and he was on the fast track this spring to fill one of several positions on the Panthers' offensive line. Bookser has both the talent and the versatility to become the next great offensive line prospect out of Pittsburgh.
While tackle was his main position in high school, he took over as the No. 1 right guard during camp. If running back James Conner has another big season for the Panthers, Bookser should play an integral part in paving the way for that success.
Defensive Linemen
5 of 82015 Composite Ranking: 3 | DE Ranking: 1
Cowart was one of Auburn's recruiting victories over Florida in the wake of former Gators head coach Will Muschamp taking the Tigers' defensive coordinator job. His pass-rushing skill set makes him a prime candidate to play early on a team that simply could not get into opponents' backfields in 2014.
The question surrounding Cowart now is where he'll play in Muschamp's defense. With the returning Carl Lawson taking over the pass-rushing "Buck" role at Auburn, the 6'4" Cowart would be the perfect fit to play defensive end from the moment he steps onto the Plains.
2015 Composite Ranking: 1 | DT Ranking: 1
Surprise! The No. 1 player in the country should be a contender for a freshman All-American team. While Thompson's inclusion seems obvious, he will arrive at Georgia with a depth chart spot already open for him to claim.
If Thompson can learn quickly this summer and fall, he should start at defensive tackle for the Bulldogs this season. His top-level quickness and explosion at the point of attack are too good to keep on the sidelines for Mark Richt and his staff.
2015 Composite Ranking: 14 | DT Ranking: 4
Texas A&M's defense is still a work in progress, but 2014 freshman standout Myles Garrett now has a powerful new tag-team partner on the Aggies' defensive line in Mack. Together, this combination should wreck offensive lines for the next couple of seasons in the SEC.
Although Mack didn't get to experience spring practice with his new team, he has still found a way to make some noise this offseason by pushing trucks as part of his weight training. Mack's new nickname is too obvious here.
2014 Composite Ranking: 25 | DE Ranking: 2
Stanford's defensive line was filled with so much experience last season that the Cardinal didn't need the services of the nation's No. 2 end. Now, after a redshirt season to bulk up and get used to the Stanford system, Thomas is ready to be unleashed on the Pac-12.
The Cardinal consistently get great production from their defensive line, and Thomas might be the most talented one the program has gotten out of high school. He should be a menace all season after a successful spring camp on the Farm.
Linebackers
6 of 82015 Composite Ranking: 10 | OLB Ranking: 1
This 5-star garnered almost every individual recognition possible during his standout high school career, and now he hits Texas with a chance to keep that award-winning streak going in his freshman season. Physically imposing and tough, Jefferson looks like the prototypical linebacker for Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong.
Jefferson is another blue-chip recruit who got a head start on the rest of the competition by enrolling early and going through spring practices. With Texas losing two starting linebackers from this past season, Jefferson seems like a lock to get in the rotation with the Longhorns and do great things.
2014 Composite Ranking: 95 | OLB Ranking: 7
Bates looked like he would be a fixture on the Freshman All-American team last season before he tore his labrum against Georgia and missed the rest of the season. After receiving a redshirt, he returned to the practice field this spring.
While he was in the rotation at outside linebacker last season, Bates looks primed for a move to middle linebacker. More practice time this fall should help the transition and give Bates the chance to pick up right where he left off for the young and hungry Volunteers.
2015 Composite Ranking: 164 | OLB Ranking: 10
Humphreys' decision to sign with Duke from California high school power Mater Dei looks like the perfect move for early playing time. Duke needs new starters at linebacker, and Humphreys is the Blue Devils' highest-rated recruit of all time.
The California native, who had an excellent performance at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, has proven he can hang with some of the best in the country. Humphreys could be the face of Duke football's exciting new era.
Defensive Backs
7 of 82015 Composite Ranking: 8 | CB Ranking: 2
Toliver's lengthy commitment to the Bayou Bengals—he made his college decision late in 2012—could pay off in a big way for him and his new team this fall. He enrolled early in Baton Rouge and impressed early in practices, even coming down with an interception in one scrimmage.
As Bleacher Report's Sanjay Kirpalani wrote, Toliver "specializes in lining up on the outside and jamming bigger receivers at the line of scrimmage." That is a perfect skill to have in the SEC, which has a handful of elite wideouts with both size and skill. LSU isn't shy about playing underclassmen in its secondary, and "Defensive Back U" might see the beginning of another star career this season.
2014 Composite Ranking: 12 | CB Ranking: 3
With stunning track-star speed and a redshirt season of preparation under his belt, Humphrey should step into Alabama's secondary and become a household name. Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee wrote in February that Humphrey "will set the SEC on fire in 2015."
"Humphrey has the talent, is at a school that needs help and has the opportunity to shine thanks to a new position coach," Sallee wrote. "That's a recipe for redshirt success."
2015 Composite Ranking: 5 | S Ranking: 1
The Seminoles need new blood in the secondary, and James is just the man to step up and shine. He earned a reputation as an early enrollee this spring for his excellent ball skills and his willingness to deliver the big hit at any time.
James has the opportunity to become a starter at either of the safety slots on the Florida State depth chart. With the all-around gifts he has and the spotlight of being at a powerhouse program, James is an easy pick for the preseason All-Freshman team.
2014 Composite Ranking: 3 | ATH Ranking: 1
After missing most of 2014 with a leg injury, redshirt freshman Peppers is ready to get back onto the field and show the country what made him a dominant prospect out of high school. He moved from cornerback to safety this offseason, where he has become the defensive playmaker new head coach Jim Harbaugh needed.
"(Peppers) has everyone’s attention again," Sporting News' Bill Bender wrote after Michigan's spring game. "Peppers made four tackles and nearly made an interception for the Maize team. The term 'difference maker' was thrown his way in the radio broadcast by Dan Dierdorf and at least two reporters."
Specialists
8 of 82015 Composite Ranking: 1,430 | K Ranking: 4
As shown in the above video in which he kicks a 70-yard field goal during a warm-up, Seibert has an incredibly powerful leg that has commanded nationwide attention. He also has a unique opportunity ahead of him at Oklahoma, where he could become both the Sooners' starting kicker and punter as a true freshman.
"At this level, (kicking and punting) can start to wear you down," Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops told the Oklahoman's Berry Tramel. "He's a powerful guy, we'll try to manage that in a positive way."
2015 Composite Ranking: 1,313 | P Ranking: 2
Charlton is a hometown recruit for South Carolina who was an early Gamecock lock from A.C. Flora High School in Columbia. According to 247Sports' John Whittle, Charlton will start off as South Carolina's punter and kickoff specialist this upcoming season.
His powerful and accurate leg will definitely come in handy for South Carolina this season. With the Gamecocks' quarterback situation still up in the air, Charlton might have to keep his new team in games this season by pinning opponents near their own goal line.
2015 Composite Ranking: 74 | ATH Ranking: 5
Cole, another early enrollee, is expected to break into the rotation in the Wolverines offense at slot receiver. But his biggest impact might come in the return game, where he practiced during spring camp and flashed his speed and moves in the open field.
With last season's top returner Dennis Norfleet away from the team at the moment, Michigan could use Cole's talents in special teams as well this year. Look for him to get some chances to break off the big play in the Big House this fall.
Recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.
Justin Ferguson is an on-call college football writer at Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @JFergusonBR.
.jpg?w=600 "Mendoza May Sit to Start Year")
.jpg?w=600 "Latest NFL QB eyeing TV career")
