Bold Predictions for Top College Football Freshmen in 2015
Across college football, league media days are springing to life, starting with the SEC's this week. These media days often generate more hype than actual news, but their arrival means one thing: Actual college football isn’t far away now.
Next month, college coaches will get a real chance to mold the talented recruits they signed in February. While some have already gone through spring practice with their respective teams, others are just arriving on campus, and preseason practices will determine who’ll play and succeed early this fall.
Here’s a look at 10 of 2015’s top recruits, per 247Sports, and some bold predictions about how they’ll fare as freshmen.
Auburn DE Byron Cowart
1 of 10
When Auburn hired former Florida coach Will Muschamp to fix its struggling defense, the hope was that he’d make an impact on the field. We’ll see how quickly that happens this fall, but the fiery Muschamp has already made his presence known in the Tigers’ program.
On national signing day, Seffner, Florida, defensive end Byron Cowart chose Auburn, a huge boost for AU’s 2015 class. Cowart is a 5-star prospect who 247Sports rated the nation’s No. 3 overall recruit, a 6’4”, 250-pound specimen with excellent speed.
He has great quickness, a strong first step and closing speed and also works well with his hands, particularly at the point of attack. His pass-rush ability is key for a line that struggled to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks last fall. Combined with Carl Lawson’s return from a torn ACL, Auburn should see significant improvement in 2015.
Projected starter Elijah Daniel’s dismissal leaves an opening at defensive end; expect Cowart to claim the role for himself.
What’s a reasonable expectation for him this season? Let’s say 40 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and five sacks on a much-improved defense.
Florida OT Martez Ivey
2 of 10
When Apopka, Florida, offensive tackle Martez Ivey chose Florida on national signing day, it was a huge win for new Gator coach Jim McElwain.
Ivey, who stands 6’5” and 275 pounds, still has room to grow. 247Sports considers the No. 2 overall recruit, and his decision to stay home gave a huge shot in the arm to a Florida line that really needs it.
The Gators return only one offensive line starter from a year ago (senior center Trip Thurman) and are seeking answers at both tackle spots. Rod Johnson was expected to start at one spot, but his career ended in spring practice following a diagnosis of spinal stenosis, or narrowing of the spinal canal.
Florida did get a key graduate transfer in Fordham offensive tackle Mason Halter, a two-time FCS All-American, but the only other potential starting tackle on the roster is sophomore David Sharpe.
Ivey has excellent feet, quickness and a promising first step and is a solid run-blocker as well. He has great length and has strong drive, too. With Florida’s offensive line situation, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him start at right tackle from day one.
The prediction? He’ll pick up the offense quickly and become an every-game starter, learning on the job as a true freshman.
Florida State S Derwin James
3 of 10
Florida State lost plenty of talent from the core that fueled a BCS National Championship and a College Football Playoff berth, but don’t worry. The cupboard is far from bare in Tallahassee.
The Seminoles return seven starters on defense, including three in the secondary, led by returning All-American Jalen Ramsey, who’ll move from safety to cornerback this fall.
That secondary got better when the Seminoles signed 5-star in-state prospect Derwin James, who ranks as 247Sports' No. 5 overall prospect. James, a safety, enrolled early and went through spring practice with his new teammates, which will give him an edge this fall.
Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher told Corey Clark of the Tallahassee Democrat that James was one of the best safety prospects he's ever seen.
"Without a doubt," he said. "Because the size, the speed, the instincts, the intelligence and when he hits you, he hits you. He comes downhill and really hits you. But he's also got great ball skills. He's not just one of those hitters."
He stands 6’2” and 201 pounds and has excellent tackling and playmaking skills, as well as great instincts. He’s a great physical presence and has solid all-around skills. While senior Tyler Hunter and junior Nate Andrews are the projected starters, it wouldn’t surprise anyone to see James push for playing time.
Expect him to start multiple games in the second half of the season, making 60 tackles and four interceptions in a very solid freshman season.
Florida DE CeCe Jefferson
4 of 10
New Florida coach Jim McElwain scored major victories on both sides of the ball on his first national signing day in Gainesville. Highly regarded offensive tackle Martez Ivey chose Florida, as did defensive end CeCe Jefferson, who 247Sports considers the nation’s No. 7 overall prospect.
Jefferson is an excellent pass-rusher and gives a major boost to a defense that needed it following the departure of Dante Fowler, the No. 3 overall selection in the NFL draft.
Florida returns a pair of ends with experience in senior Jon Bullard and junior Bryan Cox Jr., but the team will lean upon Jefferson early, at least in a reserve role. More experienced depth will allow the Gators to bring Jefferson along at a steady pace.
Expect him to start at least two games and make five sacks in his freshman season.
Texas LB Malik Jefferson
5 of 10
Everything is bigger in Texas, including expectations. And after a 6-7 debut season, it’s fair to say that Charlie Strong feels the urgency to turn around the program’s flagging fortunes quickly. Recruits like Malik Jefferson can really help that process along.
Jefferson, a Mesquite, Texas, native, has great tackling skills, pursuit skills and overall quickness. He also has a track record of production, with 83 tackles and 12 sacks as a high school senior. The Poteet High School product was the nation's No. 10 overall prospect, according to 247Sports.
Jefferson will slot in immediately as a starter for a linebacker corps that lost its top two tacklers from a year ago in Jordan Hicks and Steve Edmond. He enrolled early and went through spring practice with the Longhorns.
What’s a bold expectation for Jefferson to live up to? Let’s say 80 tackles, five sacks and the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year.
Southern California CB Iman Marshall
6 of 10
Optimism is high around Southern California’s program this summer. The Trojans, coming off a 9-4 record in Steve Sarkisian’s first season as head coach, return 16 starters and talent across the board. They also signed one of the nation’s best recruiting classes, with cornerback Iman Marshall the crown jewel.
Marshall, who stands 6’1”, 190 pounds and has 4.5-second speed in the 40-yard dash, ranks as 247Sports' No. 4 overall recruit.
While USC already has a strong secondary led by emerging star sophomore Adoree’ Jackson, you can’t pass on a player of Marshall’s talents. He’s an excellent pass defender with great instincts, change-of-direction ability and quickness.
Jackson and Kevon Seymour are set as the starting corners, but expect Marshall to make multiple starts as a nickel corner against the Pac-12’s pass-happy offenses. He’ll make the Pac-12 All-Freshman team and come down with three interceptions as a key piece of the secondary.
Tennessee DT Kahlil McKenzie
7 of 10
Last fall, Tennessee’s improved defensive line was a big factor in the Vols' earning their first bowl trip since 2010 and finishing with a 7-6 record following a TaxSlayer Bowl rout of Iowa.
If you can believe it, the line should be even better this fall. Defensive tackle signee Kahlil McKenzie, the nation’s No. 6 overall prospect, according to 247Sports, will make certain of that.
The mountainous 6’3”, 327-pound defensive lineman doesn’t let his size slow him down. He has a great motor and is excellent at the point of attack, using his impressive strength well. He was a fixture in opponents’ backfields during his prep career.
McKenzie is penciled in as a starter at defensive tackle and will make an immediate impact. Expect him to start every game, make 50 tackles and 10 tackles for loss for an improved Tennessee defense.
Alabama WR Calvin Ridley
8 of 10
As Lane Kiffin begins his second season as Alabama’s offensive coordinator, he faces the challenge of rebuilding or at least reloading the Crimson Tide passing game. Alabama will enter preseason without a clear No. 1 quarterback, although senior Jake Coker leads the way.
And there’s the matter of replacing Biletnikoff Award-winning receiver Amari Cooper, as well as top pass-catchers DeAndrew White and Christion Jones.
While Chris Black and Robert Foster will enter practice as the top receivers following solid springs, the guy to keep an eye on is Calvin Ridley.
The 6’0”, 170-pound Pompano Beach, Florida, native was the nation’s No. 11 overall recruit, according to 247Sports. He has excellent speed, hands and agility and major big-play ability, something the Tide passing game needs minus Cooper.
Last fall, Jones, the Tide’s No. 3 receiver, had 19 catches for 264 yards and one touchdown, but the burden laid heavily on Cooper, who had 124 catches for 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns. Don’t expect one receiver to carry such a heavy load this time around.
What’s a prediction for Black? Forty catches, 600 yards and five touchdowns—a very nice start.
UCLA QB Josh Rosen
9 of 10
There’s reason to be excited about UCLA’s program this fall. Jim Mora Jr. is coming off back-to-back 10-win seasons and returns 17 starters to a team that should challenge for a College Football Playoff berth.
However, there is a hole at quarterback, as Brett Hundley left early for the NFL. The Bruins aren’t quite as concerned, however, after going through spring practice with incoming freshman Josh Rosen.
Rosen, who 247Sports considers to be the top pro-style quarterback prospect in America and the No. 12 overall prospect, stands 6’4”, 205 pounds with excellent intangibles and a great arm. He impressed in spring and left as the leader for the job.
Fellow competitor Asiantii Woulard transferred to South Florida, leaving only Jerry Neuheisel to battle Rosen for the starting role.
Expect Rosen to claim the job and start every game, passing for 2,500 yards with 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, a reasonable expectation for a true freshman.
Georgia DT Trent Thompson
10 of 10
When Georgia signed in-state product Trent Thompson, it got the nation’s consensus No. 1 overall recruit, according to 247Sports. Thompson stands 6’2”, 313 pounds and is a disruptive force who will really improve the Bulldogs' defensive line and make life easier for those around him.
Thompson has an excellent motor, explosiveness and strength and is very hard to contain. He isn’t necessarily a sack-master (he had just four as a high school senior) but makes a number of impactful plays, with 36 tackles for loss in 2014.
Georgia defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt has already penciled him in as a starter, which will make it easier for Thompson to make a big impact.
Expect Thompson to start every game and make 40 tackles and 15 total tackles for loss while becoming a staple on postseason freshman All-America teams. He’s a special prospect.
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