10 College Football Teams with Most Upside on Their Roster
The single defining thing about the offseason is that it breeds optimism. Everyone is undefeated, and there's potential in every player. For teams with great recruiting track records, the term "upside" is a popular buzz word. With that in mind, let's look at which programs are in great shape beyond the 2015 season.
Of course, "upside" doesn't necessarily mean results. There's a big difference there. This isn't a list of teams that are guaranteed to win a national championship in the next three or four years. There are so many other factors beyond roster talent that go into a run like that. Rather, this is purely a group of teams whose recruiting efforts and early returns indicate the future is bright.
Teams were compiled based on their average 247Sports composite recruiting rankings from 2013, '14 and '15. (Before going any further—yes, recruiting rankings matter. They may not be an exact science, but they do correlate with winning national championships and producing high draft picks.) Surprise—you're about to see a lot of college football blue bloods in the following slides.
Additionally, the number of freshmen—redshirt and first-year players—who contributed in 2014 (courtesy of cfbstats.com and Ourlads) is taken into consideration, as well.
Honorable Mention
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The list is 10 teams strong, but we couldn't stop there. Here are the honorable mentions: Teams that have been recruiting well and have some experienced groups returning for 2015.
Auburn: Roc Thomas (coupled with JUCO transfer Jovon Robinson) should lead Auburn's ground attack. Technically, defensive end Carl Lawson is a junior, but he missed all of last season with a knee injury, meaning this is only his second year of competition. Byron Cowart should be the next great pass-rusher for the Tigers.
Notre Dame: The Irish, as you'd figure, have been recruiting well. We just don't quite know what to make of the younger players yet. The defense returns a lot of starters, so that'll be a veteran group this year. This is an experienced team overall.
UCLA: The Bruins return almost their entire team from 2014, so grading out the newer classes is difficult. However, UCLA has been recruiting at a high level. True freshman quarterback Josh Rosen looks like the future of the program; it's just a matter of when he's named the starter.
10. Ole Miss
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247Sports Composite Rank Average: 13.3
Contributing Freshmen (2014): 19
Ole Miss' SEC West hopes in 2015 stand firmly on the lauded 2013 class, which included receiver Laquon Treadwell, offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil and defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche, among others. For all the chatter about Ohio State's 2016 NFL draft class, Ole Miss' could be just as good—if not better.
Still, there are a few players of the freshmen and sophomore variety who hold the key to the Rebels' future as SEC West contenders. It starts with defensive end Marquis Haynes. With Nkemdiche's move to defensive tackle, Haynes blossomed as a true freshman defensive end by leading the team with 7.5 sacks in 2014.
Technically, Buchanan and Kincade were part of Ole Miss' 2013 class, but both redshirted that year and are competing with JUCO transfer Chad Kelly for the starting quarterback spot. As far as incoming freshmen, Swinney could aid what has been a struggling ground game.
"Hopefully [Swinney] can come in and get into the mix," said head coach Hugh Freeze to Riley Blevins of the Clarion-Ledger.
9. USC
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247Sports Composite Rank Average: 8.3
Contributing Freshmen (2014): 17
Stars to Watch: DB Adoree' Jackson, QB Max Browne, WR JuJu Smith
Jackson garners a lot of attention because he's such a versatile weapon for the Trojans. He's a natural corner, and his future is definitely on the defensive side of the ball, but he was a receiving threat and contributed in the return game, as well. Certainly, Jackson is a rare athlete—he recently finished fifth in the long jump at the NCAA championships—who gives USC an added dimension.
However, USC also started three freshmen along the offensive line last year. While that group endured a steep learning curve, their experience should pay off down the line. Max Browne and JuJu Smith could be the next great Trojans quarterback-wideout combo.
Incoming freshmen Iman Marshall and Rasheem Green are 5-star talents who should push for playing time right away—especially Green, given how defensive line depth has been an issue.
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8. Ohio State
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247Sports Composite Rank Average: 4
Contributing Freshmen (2014): 20
Stars to Watch: QB J.T. Barrett, LB Darron Lee, DB Eli Apple
The reigning national champs got key contributions in 2014 from younger players like quarterback J.T. Barrett (redshirt freshman), defensive end Joey Bosa (sophomore), running back Ezekiel Elliott (sophomore) and linebacker Darron Lee (redshirt freshman). Even though he was a redshirt sophomore, quarterback Cardale Jones was inexperienced as far as playing time last year, making his three-game run at the end of the season that much more incredible.
A lot of the key members of Ohio State's championship run should be off to the NFL after this season. As B/R colleague Dan Hope wrote in May, the Buckeyes' 2016 draft class could be historically great. The good news is, regardless of who leaves, there are great players who will be around in the future. Linebacker Raekwon McMillan, one of the top inside linebackers in the 2014 class, won't be eligible for the NFL until the 2017 draft. As a freshman, McMillan recorded 54 tackles. Blue-chip linebacker Justin Hilliard and quarterback Torrance Gibson are members of the '15 class who could be starters in a couple of years.
There's a number of redshirt freshmen and sophomores from the 2013 class who could be off to the NFL after one more year. But the Buckeyes have recruited well enough that even younger players should slip right into the rotation.
7. LSU
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247Sports Composite Rank Average: 4.3
Contributing Freshmen (2014): 21
Stars to Watch: RB Leonard Fournette, QB Brandon Harris, DB Jamal Adams, DB Kevin Toliver II
Recruiting has never been an issue for head coach Les Miles, and the results have shown that. To his credit, while the product on the field might not always be the most aesthetically pleasing, he does get results. In seven of his 10 years with the Tigers, Miles has won at least 10 games.
Miles also puts talented players into the NFL. Upside is a perennial term around Baton Rouge. While the general inefficiency at quarterback—and, as a result, the offense—occupies the most attention, it should be noted that LSU is stacked elsewhere, especially on defense. Adams is a stud at the safety position, and Fournette should lead the team in rushing for the second straight year.
If the quarterback situation can improve to even serviceable levels, there's more than enough skill on the roster to compete for SEC titles in 2015 and beyond.
6. Texas A&M
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247Sports Composite Rank Average: 8.3
Contributing Freshmen (2014): 20
Stars to Watch: WR Speedy Noil, DE Myles Garrett, DB Armani Watts, QBs Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray
There's no doubt that head coach Kevin Sumlin has been recruiting his tail off over the past few years. The Aggies have a presence among the top high school players in the Lone Star State that they haven't had in a long time. The wins haven't quite matched that recruiting success, though; in fact, A&M's win total has declined in each year since 2012.
However, a large number of freshmen contributed in 2014—like defensive end Myles Garrett, who broke Jadeveon Clowney's freshman SEC sack record, and quarterback Kyle Allen. Those players should be a year more experienced, wiser and better in 2015. The addition of defensive coordinator John Chavis is crucial to the Aggies' turnaround on that side of the ball.
Murray, a Texas high school football legend, is an intriguing prospect who could challenge Allen for the starting quarterback job.
5. Tennessee
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247Sports Composite Rank Average: 11.7
Contributing Freshmen (2014): 26
Stars to Watch: DE Derek Barnett, RB Jalen Hurd, WR Josh Malone, DT Kahlil McKenzie
For the better part of a decade, it seems, Tennessee has been young and in rebuilding mode. The difference now is that the Vols have a head coach, Butch Jones, who appears to be taking the program in the right direction.
Among the young players to make an instant impact in 2014 were defensive end Derek Barnett and running back Jalen Hurd. The Vols have hauled in a top-10 recruiting class in each of the past two years after failing to bring in one over the three previous seasons. Thus, Tennessee's best days should be ahead.
Tennessee is a trendy SEC East pick for 2015; whether or not the Vols actually take that next step this year (or next) remains to be seen. Jones is playing young guys early, though. In theory, that should pay off down the road.
4. Clemson
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247Sports Composite Rank Average: 13.7
Contributing Freshmen (2014): 14
Stars to Watch: QB Deshaun Watson, WR Artavis Scott, DB Mackensie Alexander, RB Wayne Gallman
The Tigers didn't start a ton of freshmen in 2014, but the ones who did play made a huge impact. You already know about Deshaun Watson. When healthy, he's a dynamic playmaker who elevates Clemson's offense. Artavis Scott was the team's leading pass-catcher in receptions (76) and touchdowns (eight). On defense, Mackensie Alexander was one of the few young players to make an impact. He finished second on the team with six passes broken up.
All of those players, plus leading running back Wayne Gallman, return. With Florida State rebuilding, 2015 could be the year when these younger players lead the Tigers to an ACC championship. At the very least, Clemson and Florida State should have some excellent divisional battles for years to come.
3. Georgia
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247Sports Composite Rank Average: 8.3
Contributing Freshmen (2014): 21
Stars to Watch: RB Nick Chubb, RB Sony Michel, DT Trent Thompson, DB Dominick Sanders
When you have a preseason Heisman candidate like running back Nick Chubb, it's safe to say the upside of your team is pretty high. Chubb, after all, took over for Todd Gurley last year as a freshman and rushed for 1,547 yards and 14 touchdowns. But it's not just Chubb; the Bulldogs have running backs for days, and fellow sophomore Sony Michel should get a good number of carries, as well.
For as valuable as Chubb and Michel were for the offense, Dominick Sanders was just as valuable for the defense. The teams' Newcomer of the Year winner started all 13 games in 2014 and finished second on the team with three interceptions.
You're also not going to find many incoming freshmen more touted than defensive tackle Trent Thompson. The giant interior D-lineman is very likely to start from Week 1 for the Bulldogs, according to Seth Emerson of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
2. Florida State
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247Sports Composite Rank Average: 5.7
Contributing Freshmen (2014): 18
Stars to Watch: RB Dalvin Cook, WR Travis Rudolph, S Derwin James, DE Josh Sweat, WR George Campbell
It's no secret by now that Florida State could be in for a rebuilding year in 2015. The Seminoles are used to reloading their starting 22 after sending loads of players to the NFL, but this last departing class was something special. Head coach Jimbo Fisher has done a nice job of incorporating young players into the rotation, however. There's a lot of youth on this year's team, but there's not a complete lack of experience. Offensive weapons like running back Dalvin Cook and receiver Travis Rudolph have already emerged at their respective positions.
If the spring game taught us anything, it's that Florida State's next crop of freshmen are the future. Safety Derwin James has commanded a lot of attention since enrolling early and recorded a pick-six in the final scrimmage.
Regardless of how many games Florida State wins in 2015, its recruiting efforts should pay dividends down the road.
1. Alabama
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247Sports Composite Rank Average: 1
Contributing Freshmen (2014): 12
Stars to Watch: WR ArDarius Stewart, OL Cam Robinson, CB Tony Brown
When we talk about dynasties, it usually pertains to what we see on the field. USC had a dynasty in the 2000s. Nebraska had a dynasty and Miami had a dynasty. Alabama had one, too, in the early years of Nick Saban's tenure. However, Alabama also has a dynasty on the recruiting trail. For five straight years, the Tide have hauled in the No. 1 recruiting class according to 247Sports' composite rankings.
Alabama's starting defense is littered with juniors and seniors, which is a big reason why the Tide are expected to field one of the best units in college football on that side of the ball. Chances are, younger players will see more significant time on offense because stars like wide receiver Amari Cooper have to be replaced.
Alabama's receiving unit should highlight that the most. ArDarius Stewart and Robert Foster were spring-game heroes, and lineman Cam Robinson has already cemented himself as a stud along the offensive line. Incoming freshmen Calvin Ridley and Damien Harris could work their way into the wide receiver and running back rotations, as well, per Marq Burnett of the Montgomery Advertiser. The wild card here is redshirt freshman quarterback David Cornwell, who is trying to leapfrog Jake Coker in the quarterback competition.
Ben Kercheval is a lead writer for college football. All quotes cited unless obtained firsthand. All stats courtesy of cfbstats.com. All recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.
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