SEC Football: Ranking the Top 10 True Freshmen to Watch in 2015

A new wave of talented true freshmen will be joining the SEC for the upcoming 2015 College Football season. While some of these freshmen may have to wait their turns on loaded depth charts, incoming standouts like Byron Cowart, Martez Ivey and Daylon Mack hope to make an immediate impact when they arrive on campus this fall. 

With the SEC's record of recent dominance on the recruiting trail, it's nothing new to see young players come in and contribute in their first year on campus. This years' freshman class should be no different. 

While it has become common to see true freshmen shine in collegiate athletics, it's still remarkable to see any player come in and play at a high level after being in high school less than a year ago.

However, despite the incredible influx of talent the incoming class brings to the table, it's not always the most talented players that are able to make the instant impact for their school. 

Players not only need to have the talent and ability to get on the field right away, but also need to be in a situation where the current depth chart gives them the opportunity to receive immediate playing time.

There is also the matter of an incoming freshman being able to grasp his team's scheme and learn his own positional responsibilities in that scheme.

Finally, a player's physical readiness out of high school also helps determine how early he'll see the field in his first season at the next level.

Recent standout true freshmen such as Amari Cooper, Jadeveon Clowney and Nick Chubb have proven how effective a talented true freshman can be when given an ample opportunity.   

Honrable Mentions

Jonathan Dyer, USA Today Sports

• Kyler Murray, Quarterback, Texas A&M
• Calvin Ridley, Wide Receiver, Alabama
• Shy Tuttle, Defensive Tackle, Tennessee
• Leo Lewis, Linebacker, Mississippi State

No. 10 Ronnie Harrison, Safety, Alabama Crimson Tide

247 Sports

Ronnie Harrison was the less heralded of two safeties to enroll early at Alabama. However it was Harrison, not Deionte Thompson who turned heads in the spring.

Harrison's 6'3" frame gives him massive size for a safety and Harrison's progression caused him to frequently get first-team reps during the suspension of senior Geno Smith.

Alabama lost its top three safeties from the 2014 season, leaving several opportunities for young players to step in and play right away.

Harrison should almost certainly factor into the defensive back rotation this season.

No. 9 Kevin Toliver II, Cornerback, LSU Tigers

247 Sports

There's a lot of depth for LSU in the defensive backfield, but as an early enrollee, Kevin Toliver II has already started to make a name for himself in Baton Rouge.

Taking part in spring practice, Toliver worked his way up to the second-team defense and registered an interception in the team's spring game.

Despite LSU's depth, Toliver may prove to just be too good to keep of the field, even if that means being featured in a special teams role.

At 6'2" 185, Toliver has great size for a cornerback that should help ease his transition into SEC physicality.

No. 8 Damarkus Lodge, Wide Receiver, Ole Miss Rebels

247 Sports

Demarkus Lodge should serve as an excellent complement to Laquon Treadwell as Ole Miss looks to break in a new quarterback in 2015.

Ole Miss has limited depth at wide receiver in 2015, paving the way for Lodge to contribute from the beginning in Oxford.

While it's not certain who will be throwing him the ball, having Lodge's size and hands paired with Treadwell's playmaking ability should make the transition easier for whoever wins the starting job for the rebels.

Lodge was a four-star prospect out of high school and the sixth highest-rated wide receiver in the country in 2015.

Hugh Freeze's fast-paced offense should result in substantial production for Lodge in his freshman season.

No. 7, Terry Beckner Jr. , Defensive Tackle, Missouri Tigers

247 Sports

Terry Beckner Jr. has all the potential to be the next great defensive lineman to play at Missouri. Players like Shane Ray, Markus Golden, Michael Sam and Sheldon Richardson have turned Mizzou into a defensive-line factory since the Tigers joined the SEC.

A five-star prospect out of St. Louis, Beckner Jr. should get an early start on adding his name to that list this season.

In the Columbia Daily Tribune, Dave Morrison stated that Beckner Jr. should jump right into the rotation when he arrives in Columbia, joining Josh Augusta, Harold Brantley and Rickey Hatley in the defensive-line rotation.

Beckner will have a long way to go if he wants to earn a starting job this season, but he'll be no stranger to the field in 2015.

Beckner would likely be higher on this list but Fox Sports has reported that academic concerns could delay and possibly prevent Beckner Jr. from enrolling this fall.

No. 6, CeCe Jefferson, Defensive End, Florida Gators

247 Sports

Florida has a gaping hole at defensive end left by Dante Fowler Jr and CeCe Jefferson just may be the man to fill that hole.

Jefferson was the seventh overall player and second rated defensive end in the 2015 class. Once he arrives on campus, Jefferson will battle Alex McCallister and Bryan Cox Jr. for one of the two starting spots at defensive end.

Jefferson missed most of his senior season after a shoulder injury that required him to have surgery. As long as that injury doesn't linger into fall practice, Jefferson should be in shape to compete upon his arrival.

New defensive coordinator Geoff Collins will have to utilize Jefferson in a defensive line that features impressive talent, but not much depth.

No.5 Kahlil Mackenzie, Defensive Tackle, Tennessee Volunteers

Knoxville Times Sentinel, Adam Lau

Kahlil Mackenzie should make an instant impact and provide quality depth for what should be a highly improved Vols team.

Mackenzie, the no. 7 player in the 2015 247 Sports Composite, has a massive 6'3" 354-pound frame that gives him the ability to dominate at the point of attack.

As head coach Butch Jones told 247 Sports' Ryan Callahan, both Mackenzie and fellow freshman Shy Tuttle are both expected to play early and often for Tennessee in 2015.

Tennessee will be a young team along the defensive front, which will force Mackenzie to contribute immediately.

Mackenzie missed his senior season due to California transfer rules, so getting back into football shape may be an issue.

No. 4, Trent Thompson, Defensive Tackle, Georgia Bulldogs

247 Sports

The fact that the No.1 high school player in the country is No. 4 on the list is a testament to how much talent is coming into the SEC this season.

Thompson has the size and skill set to be a prototypical nose tackle in Jeremy Pruitt's 3-4 defense. At 6'2.5" and 313 pounds, Thompson has the ability to stuff the run and also collapse the pocket in passing situations. 

Pruitt's complex scheme may be difficult to grasp immediately, but Thompson will likely prove to have too much talent to keep off the field.

Head coach Mark Richt has already acknowledged the possibility of several freshmen to contribute on the defensive from the start. Richt told 247 Sports' Jake Rowe "We're expecting freshmen to help us on the D-line. We've got a few that we think will have to play, you know."

Thompson will have some stiff competition for playing time, as the 3-4 typically calls for one defensive tackle on the field at a time. Thomson will battle John Atkins, Lamont Galliard and fellow freshman Jonathan Ledbetter once he gets to Athens.

No. 3 Byron Cowart, Defensive End, Auburn Tigers

Byron Cowart is just as talented as the players ahead of him on this list. But unlike those, players Cowart  will have a much tougher road to earn a starting position.

Cowart was the third-rated prospect and top defensive end in the 2015 recruiting cycle. This fall, he should play a key role in Will Muschamp's effort to revamp the Auburn Tigers defense.

Cowart should be a key member of Muschamp's pass rush rotation that will also feature Carl Lawson and DaVonte Lambert coming off the edges.

Cowart should have an excellent opportunity to improve an Auburn pass rush that only registered 21 sacks in 13 games a year ago.

No. 2, Daylon Mack, Defensive Tackle, Texas A&M Aggies

In his first season as Texas A&M's defensive coordinator, John Chavis has to be excited to get Daylon Mack on campus.

Mack was ranked as the 14th-best player in the country coming out of high school and should be able to jump right into the Aggies defensive rotation upon his arrival on campus.

At only 6'1", Mack may be a bit undersized for a defensive tackle but makes up for it with his strength and ability to dominate the point of attack.

Outside of the player at No.1, Mack has the best opportunity of any incoming player to start in his freshman season, making him No.2 on this list.

John Chavis' also knows a thing or two about developing defensive-line talent, putting guys like Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo into the NFL while at LSU.

Mack will also a get the chance to play next to Freshman All-American Myles Garrett, a combo that should give SEC quarterbacks the next two years.

Mack is already expected to compete for a starting job once he arrives in College Station and is a definite to be in the Aggies' D-line rotation.

No. 1 Martez Ivey, Offensive Tackle, Florida Gators

It's tough to imagine a better opportunity for a player to contribute immediately than the one that Martez Ivey will have this Florida.

Ivey was the No. 2 high school prospect and the top offensive lineman in the 2015 recruiting class. Hailing from Apopka, Ivey chose to stay home and signed with the Florida Gators in February.

At 6'5" and a lean 275 pounds Ivey already looks the part of a player ready to make an instant impact in 2015. Ivey will also be joining a Florida squad that is only returning eight scholarship offensive linemen and lost starting left tackle D.J. Humphries a year early to the NFL Draft.

Ivey's talent and physical prowess, along with the Gators lack of depth on the O-line, make him a lock for playing time this fall and a strong candidate to start for head coach Jim McElwain in his first season at the helm.

There is not a player in this class that has the same combination of talent and opportunity that Ivey has at Florida.

When asked about his expectations for this upcoming season, Ivey told 247 Sports' Luke Stampini, "There is need for improvement on the offensive line. My plan is to come in, work hard and hopefully start."

In the last two years, Laremy Tunsil and Cameron Robinson both shined at left tackle staring as true freshman for Ole Miss and Alabama respectively.

While it may be unfair to expect him to play at a similar level this fall, the precedent has already been set for Ivey to have a stellar freshman campaign.

All player rankings obtained from 247 Sports unless otherwise noted

Stats obtained via Cfbstats.com