Every Power 5 College Football Team's Most Intriguing Freshman
Every February, after college football teams have signed their next crop of players for the upcoming season, coaches rave about how great these newcomers will be. Ambitious descriptors and catch phrases abound, with pretty much every prospect made out to be a potential Heisman winner.
Much of this is hyperbole, but not all of it. With freshmen becoming more involved in their teams' plans sooner rather later, in many cases these statements are getting fact-checked right away as we see more and more first-year players get into the mix.
At least one freshman on every power-conference team (as well as Notre Dame) is getting buzz heading into 2015. This could be a true freshman or a player who redshirted 2014 and is anxiously waiting to make his debut after a year off. Regardless of the backstory, they all have the potential to be a big part of their teams' results this season.
Alabama
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Calvin Ridley, WR
Amari Cooper took Alabama's record book and made it his own last season, so when he jumped to the NFL to be a top-five draft pick this spring, he took with him nearly all of the Crimson Tide's production from the receiving corps.
All told, Alabama lost its top three receivers from 2014. The leading returner is tight end O.J. Howard, who had 17 receptions and no touchdowns.
Ridley has the chance to step right in and fill a huge void. The nation's top-rated receiver from the 2015 class should challenge Cooper's freshman numbers (58 catches, 999 yards, 11 TDs) from 2012.
Arizona
2 of 65
Devon Brewer, CB
In need of as many fresh bodies as possible in the secondary of its 4-2-5 defensive alignment, Arizona went heavy on defensive backs in the 2015 class. Brewer is the most promising of the lot, and he enrolled early in order to get a jump on his chance to get into the rotation this season.
Brewer, who went to high school with current Wildcats Nick Wilson and Sharif Williams in Fresno, California, signed with Arizona in 2014 but had to attend Milford Academy in New York first. He stuck with Arizona, and now he'll get a chance to get on to the field right away.
Arizona State
3 of 65
Jaason Lewis, WR
Arizona State's receiving corps lost its biggest target from 2014 when Jaelen Strong turned pro, and then No. 3 wideout Cameron Smith was shut down for the year this spring because of a knee injury. D.J. Foster, who rushed for 1,000-plus yards for the Sun Devils last season, has been moved to the slot, but there is still a need for bigger options.
Few players have more size than Lewis, who at 6'2" and 247 pounds has that Jimmy Graham-type build that resembles tight ends who split out wide. Lewis, a Virginia product who chose ASU over Alabama, Florida, Ole Miss and Tennessee, spent most of his senior year as a running back (while rushing for more than 2,000 yards) but fits better as a pass-catcher at the college level.
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Arkansas
4 of 65
C.J. O'Grady, TE
The tight end isn't usually the top skill position for most programs, but Arkansas has been hoarding these players under coach Bret Bielema in an effort to beef up its already stout offensive line and provide deceptive sources of offense.
Last year the Razorbacks got 66 of their 199 receptions from tight ends, and O'Grady figures to add to that number. A.J. Derby, who had 22 catches and three touchdowns, has graduated, so the 6'4", 230-pound Grady—who is from Fayetteville—could join the mix as a freshman.
He is one of three tight ends Arkansas signed in 2015—all three are among the top 20 players from that position in this class.
Auburn
5 of 65
Byron Cowart, DE
Auburn brought Will Muschamp to Auburn for two main reasons: to land major recruits and turn the Tigers' promising but disappointing defense into a decent unit. He might have killed two birds with one stone with the acquisition of Cowart, the No. 3 overall player in 2015 and the country's top defensive end.
The 6'4", 250-pound Cowart should pair well with fellow end Carl Lawson, who missed out on the 2014 season with a torn ACL after being part of a slew of young stars who shined the year before up front.
"The Tigers showed in their 2013 SEC title run they were not shy about playing blue-chip true freshman along the defensive line," Sporting News' Justin Ferguson wrote.
Baylor
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Jarrett Stidham, QB
Baylor's recent run of standout quarterbacks dates back to when Robert Griffin III ran and threw his way to the 2011 Heisman Trophy. Since then the Bears have gone more with dropback passers, and that could be the case again this year with junior Seth Russell in position to succeed Bryce Petty.
But Stidham, the No. 2-rated dual-threat passer in the 2015 class, impressed enough during spring practice as an early enrollee to make it possible Baylor moves back to a more mobile player at the quarterback position sooner than later.
Stidham threw for 2,934 yards and 35 touchdowns and added another 15 rushing TDs with 969 yards as a senior at Stephenville (Texas) High School.
Boston College
7 of 65
Elijiah Robinson, QB
Boston College coach Steve Addazio has had success in varied ways with the Eagles, adapting his approach to the players he has at his disposal rather than wedge them into a scheme. In turn, BC had a 2,000-yard running back in 2013 (Andre Williams) and then turned into a more quarterback-oriented team last year with mobile passer Tyler Murphy.
Robinson is a carbon copy of Murphy, a 6'2", 185-pound dual-threat QB who participated in BC's spring practice. Though he's trailing sophomore Darius Wade heading into fall camp, he could still find his way onto the field this season if he continues to improve as a passer to go along with his already developed running ability.
California
8 of 65
The more targets California quarterback Jared Goff has to work with, the better the offense will be. It's the nature of the Air Raid passing system—to not have just one or two main options but to spread the ball around—and in 2014 he connected with eight players for more than 20 receptions apiece.
Strickland is a strong candidate to become a part of that distribution as a true freshman, assuming the 6'5" Texas product can perform like he did as a high school senior when he had 15 touchdowns and nearly 900 yards on just 41 catches.
Clemson
9 of 65
Clemson was an offensive juggernaut in 2013, and then last season it became more reliant on its defense as the young skill players eased into new roles and also battled injury. The loss of significant pieces up front on defense could continue that dominant unit-swapping trend, but Wilkins might make it a more balanced effort in 2015.
One of the top performers from the Under Armour All-America Game, as he blocked an extra point and returned it for a touchdown, Wilkins is a swift and strong 6'4", 290-pounder who will help fill the loss of interior standouts like Grady Jarrett and DeShawn Williams.
"This unit may not be the No. 1 defense in the country again this coming season, but it's pretty talented and will be one of the better defenses Clemson has fielded under Swinney," 247Sports' Clemson staff wrote.
Colorado
10 of 65
Nu'umoto Falo, LB
Colorado ranked 114th in total defense last season, performing so poorly in that area that it was a key factor in blowing several leads and the team going 2-10.
It will be another young defense this year, which offers plenty of opportunities to incoming players like Falo. The linebacker from Sacramento, California, was Colorado's first 2014 commitment and has been part of coach Mike MacIntyre's plans for a long time.
Duke
11 of 65
Ben Humphreys, LB
Leading tackler David Helton is one of five starters from Duke's front seven who graduated, and someone needs to fill his spot in the middle of the linebacker corps immediately. Top Blue Devils recruit Humphreys, whom USA Today named the top linebacker in California in 2014, is a strong candidate for the job.
The 6'1", 200-pound Humphreys won't just get the job, though. Veteran Deion Williams will fight hard for playing time in his senior year, while Kelby Brown is back from a season-long injury absence after registering 114 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and two interceptions in 2013.
Florida
12 of 65
Martez Ivey, OT
Because of injuries and departures, Florida was so thin on the offensive line during spring practice the Gators were limited in what they could do to implement new coach Jim McElwain's game plan. Reinforcements are on the way this summer in the form of several new recruits, led by No. 1 overall line prospect Ivey.
One of a handful of top-tier players who were part of the new Auburn/Florida recruiting rivalry, Ivey comes to Gainesville with a strong chance to start right away. He needs to put more weight on his 6'5", 275-pound frame, but with Florida so lacking in options, he could plunge into the fire before having a chance to get bigger and stronger.
"He's big, athletic and obviously has a mean streak, based on his high school tape," wrote Robbie Andreu of GatorSports.com. "His goal this summer is to gain weight and strength and work on his pass-blocking technique."
Florida State
13 of 65
George Campbell, WR
After 11 players were drafted from last year's team, bringing the total to 29 in the past three drafts, it's going to look like a whole new Florida State squad this season. But many of the players whom Jimbo Fisher and his staff have recruited this year closely resemble those they have a chance to replace. In particular, Campbell is already showing he is capable of being FSU's next great receiver and succeeding Rashad Greene.
Campbell, an early enrollee who was rated as the No. 3 wideout prospect in the 2015 class, was quite impressive during spring ball. The 6'3", 184-pounder showed great hands and instincts and should challenge Ermon Lane and Jesus Wilson for the second wide receiver spot alongside sophomore Travis Rudolph.
Georgia
14 of 65
Terry Godwin, ATH
Georgia's stellar incoming class of freshmen has no shortage of athletic prospects, but few have as diverse a skill set as Godwin. Besides being a 5-star football prospect who could contribute right away to the receiving corps, he is a top-level baseball prospect who could get selected in the 2015 MLB draft in June.
He worked out for the Atlanta Braves last week, playing shortstop, third base and in the outfield, per Michael Carvell of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
"Godwin is not on many draft lists but could be selected late in next month's draft due to his outstanding athleticism and high ceiling of potential," wrote Carvell, noting that Godwin is set to enroll in Georgia's summer school on Monday.
If he sticks with football, Godwin would make for a strong candidate to help replace Chris Conley and Michael Bennett's production from last season.
Georgia Tech
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The triple-option is all about having great blockers and instinctive ball-carriers, but when it's working best it also has a dangerous passing aspect that beats defenses over the top. Philpott figures to be a good option in that area, as the 6'3", 203-pound Florida native is a big target who can go up and high-point passes.
Philpott chose Georgia Tech over Miami (Florida), Penn State, Texas Tech and UCF. He should get a chance to play right away since the Yellow Jackets' top two receivers from 2014 have graduated.
Illinois
16 of 65
Sam Mays, WR
When breakout star Mike Dudek suffered a torn ACL in April, it immediately threw a wrench into Illinois' offensive plans for 2015. He had 76 receptions for 1,038 yards and six touchdowns and was by far the Fighting Illini's top weapon.
That opens the door for newcomers like Mays to get a shot early on and remain involved when Dudek returns in October. The 6'3", 181-pound prospect from Houston didn't have many significant offers, choosing Illinois over BYU, Louisiana Tech, Memphis and others, but his size is intriguing and could make for a nice option in Dudek's absence.
Indiana
17 of 65
Tyler Green, S
Indiana allowed more than 250 passing yards per game last season, and that was with a veteran defender handling the back line in senior Mark Murphy. His graduation and the departure of two cornerbacks make what seemed like an experienced unit far less so in 2015.
That gives Green a chance to contribute early if he can show the ability to prevent big plays and tackle well in the open field, two things the Hoosiers struggled with last year.
A former Ohio State commit, the 6'3", 195-pound Green might look more like a corner, but he has the skills that better fit in a rover role in the secondary.
Iowa
18 of 65
Ryan Boyle, QB
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz had his reasons when he named junior C.J. Beathard his starting quarterback heading into the spring and relegated longtime starter Jake Rudock to a backup role for his senior year. It ultimately led to Rudock transferring to Michigan, and thus leaving the Hawkeyes much thinner at the position.
Depth is on its way in the form of Boyle, a 3-star dual-threat passer and in-state prospect who is different than most quarterbacks Ferentz has signed in the past. Though Beathard is the guy going into the fall, if Boyle impresses enough, he has a chance to be the top backup in 2015.
Iowa State
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At 6'0" and 270 pounds, Jackson is on the small side for an interior defensive lineman, but considering he played at that size in high school as a linebacker, his dimensions might not matter.
Instead, the more important thing might be his dedication to the Cyclones, one of the few schools that stuck with him despite academic issues that plagued him in Florida, according to Bobby La Gesse of the Ames Tribune.
With the nation's worst defense in 2014 in terms of yards allowed per game, at 528.9, the Cyclones should welcome anyone willing to come to Iowa State with open arms.
Kansas
20 of 65
Ryan Willis, QB
Kansas was set to return the fewest number of starters of any power-conference team in the country, with only eight coming back from last year's woeful 3-9 team. Then quarterback Michael Cummings tore knee ligaments when he was tackled awkwardly (despite being in a no-contact jersey) during the spring game, and the Jayhawks became even younger and thinner.
The injury means incoming quarterback prospect Willis becomes far more important to first-year coach David Beaty's immediate plans. The in-state product chose Kansas over Kansas State and at 6'4" might be a perfect fit to the uptempo passing attack that Beaty hopes to install.
Kansas State
21 of 65
Alex Delton, QB
The departure of Jake Waters has left a gaping hole in the middle of Kansas State's offense, and the spring competition didn't create a clear leader in the quarterback race for 2015. That makes the chances of Delton getting a shot as a true freshman much better, since he fared no worse this spring than Jesse Ertz or Joe Hubener.
A dual-threat quarterback whose running ability is his best attribute at this point, if Delton can further develop his passing skills, he will remain in the hunt for playing time this season.
Kentucky
22 of 65
Jabari Greenwood, WR
Kentucky is going to be young at receiver this season, which can be a good or bad thing depending on how the unit handles the rigors of dealing with experienced defensive backs throughout the SEC. Either way, Greenwood should get an opportunity to be one of those young wideouts since he has more size than anyone else on the roster.
At 6'3" and 195 pounds, he is taller than projected starters Jeff Badet, Garrett Johnson and Ryan Timmons and the same size as Dorian Baker. The Washington, D.C. product has been committed to the Wildcats since June, and his loyalty might pay off.
Louisville
23 of 65
Devante Peete, WR
Louisville's top offensive weapon for the past two seasons was DeVante Parker, a tall target who led the Cardinals in receiving for the past two years despite missing six games in 2014 because of injury. He ended up going 14th overall in the NFL draft.
His eventual successor could be another player with the same first name, assuming Peete can parlay his 6'5" frame into a similar career at Louisville. Though he only had 21 catches and five touchdowns last season at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Florida, he's already earning praise from Louisville coach Bobby Petrino.
"Devante Peete looks very similar to Parker in his ability to elevate and control his body and catch the ball," Petrino said, per Mike Hughes of 247Sports.
LSU
24 of 65
Kevin Toliver, CB
As true freshmen integrate themselves more and more into the fabric of their teams each year and take on bigger roles in their first seasons, you can tell right away that a few of them are going to be superstars. LSU has one of those in Toliver, the No. 2 overall cornerback from the 2015 class and the Tigers' top signee for this year.
An early enrollee who dazzled during spring ball, Tolliver has a strong chance to start in LSU's opener and should help the school continue in its unofficial battle with Florida to claim the distinction of being known as "DBU" for its propensity to churn out professional defensive backs.
"Toliver posted an interception during LSU's spring game, capping off what has already been a huge series of practices,' Bleacher Report's Ben Kercheval wrote.
Maryland
25 of 65
Damian Prince, OG
One of the top-rated offensive linemen in the 2014 recruiting class, Prince was kept out of action last season in order to become bigger and stronger. He also was shifted around from tackle to guard, but he now appears in line to be Maryland's starting right tackle this year after the Terrapins graduated two starters up front.
At 6'3" and 325 pounds, he has added 25 pounds of bulk since high school that should help him handle players like Michigan State's Shilique Calhoun and other Big Ten pass-rushers.
Miami (Florida)
26 of 65
Mark Walton, RB
If Miami coach Al Golden is going to keep his job beyond this season and thus reap the benefits of what's shaping up to be an incredible 2016 recruiting class, he's going to need to win this year. Newcomers like Walton could help achieve that goal.
"If Walton can learn the playbook and show that he can be counted on in pass protection he will have a real chance to be UM’s starting running back in the second half of the season," 247Sports' David Lake wrote.
The Hurricanes' run game is in a state of flux, with Duke Johnson turning pro and projected starter Joseph Yearby getting suspended in March.
Michigan
27 of 65
Arguably the most high-profile recruit ever to sign with Michigan, Peppers was the jewel of Brady Hoke's final recruiting class in 2014 as a player who could save the coach's job. But leg injuries limited him to minimal action in three early-season games, and then he was shut down in hopes of getting a medical redshirt.
Hoke didn't survive the season, but Peppers is back and as a redshirt freshman (after getting the medical designation for that first year), he's moving from cornerback to safety for Jim Harbaugh's first team. Expect him to also get a look in the return game and possibly as a receiver or in the backfield, areas he excelled at in high school in New Jersey and where he was expected to contribute prior to getting hurt.
Michigan State
28 of 65
Larry Scott, RB
Michigan State lost a dependable running back to graduation in Jeremy Langford, who in 2013 and 2014 combined to rush for more than 2,900 yards and 40 touchdowns. A handful of inexperienced players were going to get a chance to replace him during the spring, but that competition never materialized after junior Delton Williams was suspended after being involved in an on-campus road rage incident in March.
The battle to replace Langford wasn't going to get hot until the summer anyway, since Scott wouldn't arrive until then and his pedigree was such that he wouldn't be held out of the competition. Rated as the No. 6 overall running back in the 2015 class—and a player the Spartans were able to steal out of Ohio State's backyard—the 6'2", 228-pound Scott could be the perfect complement to senior quarterback Connor Cook in the backfield.
Minnesota
29 of 65
Jeff Jones, RB
It was quite a luxury for Minnesota to not have to burn a year of eligibility for a player as promising as Jones, since he likely wouldn't have gotten much work as a true freshman with David Cobb rumbling for more than 1,600 yards and averaging more than 24 carries per game.
Instead, the Golden Gophers stashed away Jones and saved him for 2015, and in doing so they have a player who already has a year in the system and has bulked up to 207 pounds on his 6-foot frame.
If he becomes Minnesota's go-to rusher, Jones has a chance to top the school freshman rushing record of 1,376 yards set in 1986 by all-time Gophers leading rusher Darrell Thompson.
Mississippi State
30 of 65
Malik Dear, WR
Dak Prescott didn't have to do it all himself last year, but at times it sure seemed that way. Even with a productive running back in Josh Robinson and a handful of decent receivers, more often than not it was Prescott making things happen for the Bulldogs on offense.
With only nine starters back this season, including just five on offense, the dual-threat quarterback needs some new blood to step in and help him out, or MSU might not match what it did in 2014 with a 9-0 start and 10 victories.
A player to watch out for in that respect is Dear, who at 5'9" and 226 pounds is built similar to Robinson but was used mostly as a receiver during spring ball. If he gets some touches in the backfield, he could become a versatile weapon.
Missouri
31 of 65
Drew Lock, QB
Maty Mauk is in line to be Missouri's starting quarterback for the second straight season and for part of a third consecutive year, but his hold on that job is tenuous at best after a subpar sophomore year in which he completed only 53.4 percent of his passes and tossed 13 interceptions.
The pressure is on for him to show he can hold his place, since a talented prospect in Lock is coming on board this summer with a toolbox of skills that could help him take over the starting gig if Mauk stumbles.
Lock, at 6'3" and 205 pounds, was the nation's No. 7 pro-style passer in the 2015 class. He threw for 63 touchdowns over the previous two years for his high school in Lee's Summit, Missouri.
Nebraska
32 of 65
Avery Anderson, ATH
New Nebraska coach Mike Riley wants to retain some of the traditions that past Cornhuskers coaches have run with since the legendary Tom Osborne era ended, but not all of them. He's going to have more of a pro-style offense than what Bo Pelini ran, but at the same time he wants to make the most use of his players' athleticism.
At Oregon State, the fly sweep was a key weapon in the Beavers' offensive arsenal and saw both running backs and receivers get involved on these plays. That could be just how Anderson, who has the capability to play as a defensive back and receiver, gets playing time during his first season in Lincoln.
He could also end up in the rotation at cornerback, but don't be surprised if he sees time on both sides of the ball.
North Carolina
33 of 65
Jalen Dalton, DE
After ranking 120th in total defense and giving up 40 or more points in six games, North Carolina was in need of a major defensive overhaul. That began with the hiring of ex-Auburn coach Gene Chizik to be the defensive coordinator, as well as a heavy emphasis on defensive recruits during this last cycle. And of those newcomers, Dalton has the biggest upside and a strong chance to make an instant impact on the rebuilding effort.
At 6'5" and 235 pounds, the in-state product has already entered the mix after a strong spring. He showed a lot of promise and shouldn't have any trouble getting playing time if the Tar Heels don't choose to redshirt him.
North Carolina State
34 of 65
Johnny Frasier, RB
Florida State's loss was North Carolina State's gain during the winter, as Frasier flipped from the Seminoles to the Wolfpack less than two weeks before national signing day. In doing so, he assured N.C. State has a strong potential successor to Shadrach Thornton, as well as someone who could spell the senior a lot this season.
Frasier, the seventh-best running back prospect in the 2015 class, brings an imposing frame at 5'10" and 229 pounds. It's even more dazzling when paired with his reported 4.45-second time in the 40-yard dash, giving him that rare blend of power and speed that N.C. State could parlay into a continued rise up the ACC rankings.
Northwestern
35 of 65
Jordan Thompson, DT
Sometimes the best way to tell if a school has landed a good prospect is to see which other programs continue to pursue him after he's committed. In that case, Thompson could be a huge get for Northwestern since Alabama offered him a scholarship just days after he pledged to the Wildcats last May.
At 6'3" and 250 pounds, the Cincinnati native might be better suited to play defensive end or be converted into a linebacker, where he would serve as a good replacement for departed leading tackler Chi Chi Ariguzo.
Notre Dame
36 of 65
Aliz'e Jones, TE
The tight end has been a fixture in Notre Dame's offense throughout Brian Kelly's tenure, and many of his past blocking pass-catchers have ended up making a successful run in the NFL like Tyler Eifert and Kyle Rudolph. That might explain why Jones, the nation's No. 1 tight end prospect, opted to switch from UCLA to Notre Dame in January after being set to go to Los Angeles for more than a year.
The Las Vegas product had 41 receptions for 930 yards and 13 touchdowns last year for Bishop Gorman, which ranked No. 1 in the nation in many high school polls. At 6'4" and 218 pounds he could stand to put on some muscle in order to be better as a blocker, but his skill set in the receiving game is already well-defined.
Ohio State
37 of 65
Torrance Gibson, ATH
Sure, just what Ohio State needs, another quarterback. But to think that Gibson can only be vital to the Buckeyes this season (or beyond) as a passer is to ignore everything else he's capable of doing.
A dual-threat quarterback from Florida whom 247Sports rates as the sixth-best "athlete" in the 2015 class, Gibson's role could be catching passes or possibly serving on special teams as a return man. It will depend on how he looks when he arrives this summer.
"If he's a dynamic player we need to get on the field, we may need to have a package for him to get on the field as a freshman," Ohio State wide receivers coach Zach Smith said, per Tim Shoemaker of Eleven Warriors.
Oklahoma
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Canada has become a fast-rising place to land college basketball recruits, but it's still mostly off-the-radar on the football front. Gallimore has a chance to change that, if the 6'2", 300-pound tackle from Ontario can contribute for playing time at Oklahoma this season as projected.
"The Canadian recruit will be, at minimum, a key rotational player on the interior right away, if not the starting replacement for the departed Jordan Phillips," wrote Bryan Fischer of NFL.com. "The Sooners have plenty of key pieces returning on defense, but Gallimore's ability to make plays at defensive tackle will help significantly as the team tries to get back into title contention."
Gallimore, who played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, committed to Oklahoma during that competition over Florida State and Ohio State.
Oklahoma State
39 of 65
Darrion Daniels, DT
Though it returns eight starters from last season, Oklahoma State's defense did lose some major players up front with versatile tackle James Castleman and solid end Sam Wren both graduating. The Cowboys still have rising star Emmanuel Ogbah to anchor that line on the edge, but inexperienced players figure to get their chance to contribute.
Count Daniels as one of those with the best shot to get a look this fall, as the 6'3", 290-pound Dallas native was OK State's top prep signee and one it was able to lure away from Iowa, Texas Tech and rival Oklahoma.
Ole Miss
40 of 65
Damarkus Lodge, WR
While the sight of star wide receiver Laquon Treadwell doing backflips on a trampoline is a good indication he's healed up from last season's major leg injury, that doesn't meant Ole Miss couldn't stand to have as many healthy bodies available to catch passes in 2015 as possible. When Treadwell went down, the Rebels offense fell apart, something that might not have been the case had a prospect like Lodge already been around.
Lodge, ranked as the No. 6 receiver in the 2015 class, caught 47 touchdowns in his final two high school seasons in Cedar Hill, Texas, and had 2,473 yards on 135 receptions in that span. At 6'2" and 190 pounds, he's lanky and can leap for balls in traffic. He figures to be a key target for whoever emerges from Ole Miss' quarterback competition.
Oregon
41 of 65
Canton Kaumatule, DE
The most decorated player in Oregon program history is Marcus Mariota, who just finished his storied career as the Heisman Trophy winner and led the Ducks to the national title game. He's also part of a long line of talented players Oregon has recruited from Hawaii, and that continues with its top prospect for 2015.
Kaumatule, who played both offensive tackle and defensive end in high school, towers over both sides of the line at 6'7" and 290 pounds. He enrolled early, which gives him a good shot to succeed Arik Armstead after the latter turned pro following the 2014 season.
"When he gets back in the summer our guys will review those fundamentals and then hopefully by the second game of the season we can take another step with him, as far as throwing him a little something here and there with the base package, and he'll grasp it," Oregon defensive line coach Ron Aiken told Andrew Greif of the Oregonian. "It'll be review for him."
Oregon State
42 of 65
Christian Folau, LB
Even after moving from the mountains to the Midwest, Gary Andersen kept close ties in the Utah area and continued to recruit that state for Wisconsin. When he opted to leave the Badgers and take the Oregon State job, those recruiting ties paid off with his top prospect for his first class in Corvallis.
Folau, from Salt Lake City, had just visited Wisconsin days before Andersen left for OSU, and then after taking a visit to hometown Utah he checked out the Beavers and ended up going with the coach who'd been on him for quite some time. That devotion on both ends should lead to a chance for the 6'1", 240-pound Folau to play right away, as Oregon State only returns two defensive starters and none of its linebackers.
Penn State
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Sterling Jenkins, OT
To say Penn State's offensive line in 2014 was bad is a major understatement. The unit allowed 44 sacks, turned highly regarded pro prospect Christian Hackenberg into a so-so quarterback and contributed to a run game that averaged only 2.9 yards per carry.
To make matters worse, the Nittany Lions lost the best player from that line, but if Jenkins is able to live up to the hype, he could fill that large hole with his sizable frame.
At 6'8" and 321 pounds, the Pittsburgh native could be a huge asset at either tackle position. He enrolled early and has been involved in preparation for this season, giving him a boost in his quest to play as a true freshman.
Pittsburgh
44 of 65
Jordan Whitehead, CB
While handling Michigan State's defense for the last several years, Pat Narduzzi developed so many strong defensive backs that the Spartans secondary became known as the "No Fly Zone." Now running Pittsburgh's program, he could be close to creating a similar nickname-worthy unit that might be led by top recruit Whitehead.
The 5'11", 185-pound in-state recruit was actually a commit whom previous coach Paul Chryst and his staff secured before leaving for Wisconsin, but Whitehead stuck to the pledge and will compete for time at corner this year. The Panthers bring back most of their key defensive backs, but Whitehead is too talented to be kept off the field.
Purdue
45 of 65
Elijah Sindelar, QB
Two seasons of uncertainty from the quarterback position under coach Darrell Hazell has left the job as a wide-open competition. Juniors Austin Appleby and Danny Etling are the likely candidates, along with redshirt freshman David Blough, but in a make-or-break year for Hazell, the answer could come from the Boilermakers' top recruit.
Sindelar, a 6'4", 200-pound pro-style passer who was Kentucky's Mr. Football in 2014, chose Purdue over Kentucky and Western Kentucky.
"The Boilermakers have had a revolving door under center, and the musical chairs need to stop," Kevin Ryan of 247Sports wrote. "He has a chance to be a multiyear starter for Purdue."
Rutgers
46 of 65
Marques Ford, DE
An early lowlight from Rutgers' 2016 recruiting efforts was losing out blue-chip in-state passing prospect Jarrett Guarantano to Tennessee. But in a way it was somewhat of a trade-off, since over the winter the Scarlet Knights were able to steal Ford away from the Volunteers.
The 6'4", 230-pound Florida prospect decommitted from Tennessee on Jan. 21 and flipped to Rutgers a day later, giving the Knights someone who can contribute immediately in their effort to have a defensive front that rivals others in the Big Ten.
South Carolina
47 of 65
After a forgettable 2014 in which—among many things that went wrong—South Carolina had a massive lack of punch from its defensive line, the emphasis on edge-rushers during the recruiting cycle was evident. The Gamecocks signed four defensive ends among their top seven players, including the three highest-rated prospects.
Blackshear nearly had to be left out of that group after he was arrested for larceny in February. Those charges were eventually dropped, and he officially enrolled at South Carolina earlier this week.
That legal trouble was Blackshear's second major hurdle to overcome, as he also missed his senior year of high school with a torn ACL.
Stanford
48 of 65
Solomon Thomas, DE
Had Thomas opted to sign with any of the other major programs that were pursuing him in 2014, he likely would have seen some time during his freshman year. But Stanford had a senior-heavy rotation already entrenched for the season, resulting in Thomas being redshirted so he could be ready to make a splash a year later.
That time is now for Thomas, who figures to be a key piece of the Cardinal's revamped defensive line. He shined during spring football, particularly in the spring game, when the 6'2", 258-pounder (who was rated as the No. 2 defensive end in the 2014 recruiting class) had seven tackles and a sack, per Do-Hyoung Park of the Stanford Daily.
Syracuse
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Dontae Strickland, ATH
When quarterback Terrel Hunt was lost for the season with a broken leg in October, Syracuse's offense had no one else to turn to. Backup quarterback A.J. Long didn't have many reliable weapons to target, and the Orange's leading receiver from 2014 (Jarrod West) has since graduated.
Enter Strickland, a 5'11", 180-pound New Jersey product who was used mostly as a running back but would make for a great slot weapon who would pair well with Hunt and his mobile approach to the quarterback position. If Strickland ends up sticking to the backfield, that's another area where the team figures to rely on him immediately.
TCU
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Mike Freeze, LB
Post-spring practice depth charts are never set in stone, but the fact Freeze was atop the list at middle linebacker as an early enrollee bodes well for what he's going to mean for TCU this season and beyond.
The 6'2", 215-pound Freeze came to Fort Worth rated as the No. 1,001 prospect in the 2014 class, but entering training camp he'll be the front-runner to replace production lost from departed linebackers Marcus Mallet and Paul Dawson.
Tennessee
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Khalil McKenzie, DT
The son of former Tennessee linebacker Reggie McKenzie chose the Volunteers over Arizona and several other suitors, leaving the West Coast to be a part of what could be the best young defensive line in the SEC, if not the country.
At 6'3" and 339 pounds, McKenzie is a monster who will swallow the middle of the line and fill running holes while Derek Barnett pounces from the outside like he did as a freshman in 2014. McKenzie didn't get to play his senior year in California after his transfer resulted in ineligibility, but he's been doing his best during the long layover to remain in shape for a shot to compete this fall.
"After reaching a peak weight of 367 pounds during his senior season...McKenzie said he has dropped almost 30 pounds," wrote Ryan Callahan of 247Sports. "He said he's hoping to get down to 335 pounds by the time he arrives at Tennessee on June 8 to attend his first summer classes June 9."
Texas
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Malik Jefferson, LB
Texas coach Charlie Strong wants his team to have a certain identity that shows toughness and dedication with everything it does. Jefferson has displayed this over and over again since choosing the Longhorns, enrolling early and then dominating during spring ball.
"Jefferson's the real deal, and he's going to start as a true freshman," Bleacher Report's Zach Shelton wrote after Texas' spring game, when despite playing out of position at middle linebacker instead of on the outside, the freshman had five tackles, a sack and a forced fumble that led to a touchdown.
The No. 10 overall player in the 2015 class and the nation's top-rated outside linebacker, Jefferson is already making his presence felt in Austin.
Texas A&M
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Kyler Murray, QB
With the way he played down the stretch last season, Kyle Allen is all but assured of being Texas A&M's starting quarterback in 2015. But Murray still could have something to say about that, especially now that the two-sport star has reaffirmed his dedication to the Aggies.
Murray, the nation's top-rated dual-threat passer in his recruiting class, is also a top baseball prospect who was rated by MLB.com as the No. 34 player for the upcoming draft. However, in early May he withdrew himself from draft eligibility by declining to take part in any predraft processes that top players are required to go through.
That means Murray will head into training camp for football without the possibility of a baseball team luring him away with a big contract. And if he's that dedicated to the gridiron, that should make him fight hard to try to unseat Allen.
Texas Tech
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Breiden Fehoko, DT
It won't take much for Texas Tech's defense to be better in 2015 than it was a year ago, since the Red Raiders ranked 125th in yards allowed and registered only 24 sacks in 12 games. Fehoko could be the key to that turnaround, as the Hawaii prospect was considered one of the strongest players in the 2015 recruiting class.
At 6'3" and 287 pounds, Fehoko isn't as massive as many interior defensive linemen but has still shown similar power. If he can plug holes and get pressure, Tech could bounce back from a 4-8 season and get back to bowl eligibility.
UCLA
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Josh Rosen, QB
UCLA's strong 2015 recruiting class has a number of players who are worthy of being mentioned on this list, including several it landed late in the cycle or on signing day. But the one with the most potential for an instant impact as a true freshman is one who was part of the haul for quite a while.
Rosen committed to the Bruins in March 2014, and given Brett Hundley was going to enter the NFL draft after this past season, he knew he'd have a shot to be the starter right away. This led to Rosen enrolling early after a stellar career at national power St. John Bosco, whose games were often on national television and got him ready for the pressure of college ball.
A superb performance during spring practice has Rosen in line to beat out junior Jerry Neuheisel and redshirt freshman Asiantii Woulard for the starting job.
USC
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Iman Marshall, CB
USC grabbed players from all over the country in its latest recruiting class, but if it had lost the best player in its own state (and in its own backyard), the work might have seemed all for nothing. Thankfully, the Trojans were able to convince Marshall, the No. 4 overall prospect in 2015, to stay home and be a star in their secondary.
Marshall, from Long Beach, also considered Florida State and Michigan, but in the end he'll be part of a defensive backfield that with added depth can make it possible for USC to use multi-threat athlete Adoree' Jackson more as a wide receiver this season.
Utah
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Chris Hart, DE
Utah led the country in sacks last season, taking down opposing quarterbacks on 55 occasions in 13 games. Only one player who contributed to that haul has moved on, but it's a big one in Hunter Dimick and his 18.5 sacks.
But reinforcements are available both in terms of existing players on the roster and incoming freshman Hart, a 6'3", 242-pound Florida prospect who chose the Utes over Illinois, Iowa, Michigan State, North Carolina and Wisconsin.
"Hart has great acceleration and burst to close on the ball-carrier," wrote Damon Griffin of 247Sports. "He does a good job of shedding and uses good technique with his hands to separate from offensive lineman."
Vanderbilt
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Kyle Shurmur, QB
Had Vanderbilt played more than the allotted 12 games, it might have ended up starting even more quarterbacks than the four it sent out at the beginning of games last season. None of the group proved to be that effective, and with a few moving on, there's no certainty that the position won't be a source of poor performance again in 2015.
That could change if Shurmur, a California product who held firm to the Commodores despite their woeful 3-9 season, is able to come in and compete.
The 6'4", 215-pound pro-style passer "fits who we are," Vandy coach Derek Mason said on signing day (h/t 247Sports).
Virginia
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Nick Johns, QB
When Johns signed with Virginia in February, he looked like a long shot to see any action during his freshman year, since the Cavaliers had two quarterbacks on the roster who started games in 2014 as well as a redshirting passer—Corwin Cutler—who was part of the previous class. Things have changed drastically since then, as Greyson Lambert decided to transfer.
No relation to presumptive starter Matt Johns, Nick Johns is a 6'3", 215-pound pro-style passer from Washington, D.C. who now figures to be one of the first in line to step in for Matt Johns because of injury or ineffectiveness.
Virginia Tech
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Tim Settle, DT
When Virginia Tech was in its heyday, few top in-state prospects failed to commit to the Hokies. That's no longer the case, as Virginia's fertile recruiting territory is an area that power-conference programs from all over spend plenty of time in and leave with great players.
Settle was the third-best prospect in Virginia, and the Hokies were able to prevent Alabama, Clemson, Tennessee and others from picking up the enormous run-stopper. At 6'2" and 361 pounds he will likely get regularly double-teamed, and that could open holes for Luther Maddy and other Hokies linemen.
Wake Forest
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Rocky Reid, RB
If Reid can average four yards per carry as a true freshman, he could be praised as a superstar compared to Wake Forest's running backs in 2014. Last year the Demon Deacons averaged a scant 1.25 yards per carry, a number that only rises to 2.38 yards when sacks and quarterback rushing are removed from the equation.
Reid, a 6'0", 220-pound in-state prospect, rushed for 2,965 yards as a senior after gaining 3,355 yards in his junior season.
Washington
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Jake Browning, QB
When Cyler Miles took a leave of absence from Washington's football program, it made an already uncertain quarterback situation that much crazier. With him no longer available, the Huskies rotated junior Jeff Lindquist, redshirt freshman K.J. Carta-Samuels and Browning, who enrolled early in hopes of staying hot after the greatest prep career ever.
Browning, who won multiple state titles at Folsom (California) High School, threw for 16,775 yards and 229 touchdowns in his three-year career. The TD total is a national record, while the 91 he threw as a senior tied the all-time prep mark.
Though none of the quarterback candidates separated themselves from the pack during the spring, Browning's great promise might tempt coach Chris Petersen to skew young at the position.
Washington State
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Thomas Toki, DT
For as much attention as Washington State's offense has gotten in the past three years under coach Mike Leach, the defense is where future NFL players have developed despite those units struggling to make any stops. A lot still has to happen, but Toki could be the defensive player who can be both helpful to the Cougars on the field and also turn himself into a pro.
At 5'11" and 308 pounds, Toki has a low center of gravity that will make him hard to dislodge as he's plugging up the middle to slow down run games. Oklahoma State and Washington were also hoping to grab the California prospect.
West Virginia
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West Virginia has rarely been lacking in big-play receivers over the past decade, but with the graduation of Mario Alford and Kevin White, this year's team has a major void. Recruits like Durante have a shot to make that a non-issue if they can produce like their predecessors.
Durante, from Miami's Miramar High School, is the latest in a long line of Mountaineers to come from that school dating back to when Stedman Bailey and Geno Smith arrived in 2009.
The 6'0", 162-pound wideout might be small in stature, but without many other players stepping up during the spring, he figures to get a chance to contribute immediately.
Wisconsin
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Jordan Stevenson, RB
Part of what has enabled Wisconsin to consistently produce one of the nation's best rushing attacks is its ability to spread the carries around instead of relying on just one back. Melvin Gordon had 343 carries in 14 games last year, but backup Corey Clement had 147 touches and therefore enters 2015 with plenty of experience that will make his move to the starting job easier to handle.
Look for Stevenson to be in line to serve as Clement's understudy and get meaningful work this fall. The 4-star Texas recruit committed to the Badgers without knowing who his new coach would be the day after coach Gary Andersen left for Oregon State.
He had previously been committed to Texas, but the change in Madison appealed to him, and that could pay off in terms of plenty of action as a freshman.
Recruiting information provided by 247Sports.
Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.
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