20 Freshmen Who Will Light Up College Football in 2015
Every season, an influx of talented freshmen are brought into college football for various reasons ranging from stockpiling players to be developed into future contributors to teams counting on these newcomers to be key pieces immediately.
This list will deal with the latter group of first-year players who will become important contributors to their respective teams in the 2015 season. These players will include rotation guys and potential starters.
As far as what will constitute “lighting it up,” this will largely be equated to being an impact contributor for the entire season rather than a reserve that minimally plays until garbage time. This also includes players at major Power Five programs. While there will be numerous freshmen making substantial impacts at smaller schools, that would not be considered as much of a feat as playing against the best competition.
Here are 20 freshmen, redshirt and true, who are primed for big debuts this season.
Honorable Mentions
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- CeCe Jefferson, Florida
- Kahlil McKenzie/Shy Tuttle, Tennessee
- Jacques Patrick, Florida State
- Calvin Ridley, Alabama
The following players still have plenty of potential to impact their teams and deserve a mention, but certain circumstances restrict them from making this list.
CeCe Jefferson is one of the top defensive prospects in the nation. Florida returns multiple key pieces from its defensive line, which makes Jefferson’s quest to find the field a lot more difficult than others on this list. Given his explosive talents he could certainly surpass some of his veteran teammates, but for now he is still a reserve.
Big Kahlil McKenzie and Shy Tuttle both enter Knoxville with high expectations on the defensive line. Since both are competing for each other’s playing time in the Volunteers’ rotation, it is difficult to single out either one at this point. Expect both to be contributors eventually this season playing alongside Derek Barnett.
Jacques Patrick will get a chance to replace suspended running back Dalvin Cook for Florida State. He had a nice spring, but so did fellow backs Mario Pender and Jonathan Vickers, who is more of a utility back. Patrick could break out eventually, but he will likely split time in the backfield.
Calvin Ridley has drawn comparisons to former Alabama star Amari Cooper, who emerged as an elite receiver as a freshman. Ridley has the same skill set as a possession receiver with speed to burn, but the situation for him is less promising than the one Cooper stepped into. Alabama is deep at receiver with Chris Black and ArDarius Stewart looking like the top options, not to mention tight end O.J. Howard. The Crimson Tide also do not have an established quarterback, which could negatively the numbers of all the receivers, especially depth ones like Ridley.
Terry Beckner, Missouri
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Gary Pinkel and Missouri landed the program’s best defensive talent since Sheldon Richardson when Terry Beckner decided to sign with the Tigers.
Beckner is a big, athletic lineman whose size, 6’3” and 293 pounds, and speed allow him to play anywhere on the defensive line. Given his abilities, he would likely be pushing for playing time anyway, but Missouri’s current situation pretty much guarantees that the former 5-star will see the field plenty.
Defensive tackle Harold Brantley was by far the most established player up front for the Tigers, but he will miss the season due to injuries sustained in an offseason car accident. This leaves the team thin on the defensive line. Couple that with Missouri switching to defensive coordinator Barry Odom, who used a 3-4 scheme at Memphis, and Beckner will be an impact player for Missouri because he can play any position in the trenches.
Seth Collins, Oregon State
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New head coach Gary Andersen still has not named a starting quarterback for the 2015 season, but according to ESPN.com's Chantel Jennings, it is pretty much a foregone conclusion that Seth Collins will win the job.
Collins graduated high school early to join Oregon State for spring practice, where he excelled. In the spring game, he threw for 108 yards and two scores while rushing for 81 yards. He has shown much more than fellow quarterback Nick Mitchell with his talents and poise at such a young age.
Oregon State is a young team that will likely be led by a young quarterback, so the Beavers may struggle a bit. However, Collins will improve every week and his dual-threat abilities should allow him to have a freshman season similar to what Chuckie Keeton had in 2011 at Utah State.
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Byron Cowart, Auburn
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Byron Cowart enters his freshman season with a lot of hype as the nation’s top-rated defensive end, stepping into a defense that finished 93rd nationally in sacks last year.
He will find the field early and often not only because of his prowess as a strong and powerful end with the quickness to shed blocks and find the quarterback, but also because the Tigers and new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp will need an enhanced pass rush.
Muschamp’s defenses thrive on creating pressure and Cowart is a great piece to make that happen. Even at 6’3” and 280 pounds, Cowart can play defensive end and linebacker, according to his coach.
“He’s athletic enough,” Muschamp said Thursday, per Tom Green of the Dothan Eagle. “It’s not really the weight—it’s what you can carry and what you can do athletically. Certainly right now he can play end or 'Buck' for us. That’s kind of where we’re training him—more at end right now, but he certainly could be a guy that’s athletic enough to do those things.”
Cowart will not face any extra attention from opposing offensive lines thanks to preseason first-team All-SEC defensive end Carl Lawson on the other side of the line. Look for Cowart to make every freshman All-American team this upcoming season.
Neville Gallimore, Oklahoma
5 of 21The Oklahoma Sooners lose two major contributors at defensive tackle in Chuka Ndulue and Jordan Phillips, yet they may have an answer.
Neville Gallimore signed with head coach Bob Stoops’ team in February as a 4-star defensive tackle and, according to Spenser Davis of the Oklahoma Daily, is the front-runner to replace the gap in the middle of the defensive line.
Oklahoma does not have much depth at defensive tackle, so Gallimore is ensured to play right away. If he starts, he definitely qualifies as a player “lighting it up.” Even if he is beaten out, Gallimore will still be a key rotational lineman.
Gerri Green, Mississippi State
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Benardrick McKinney was Mississippi State’s most important defensive player as the leader of the unit at middle linebacker. The team will now look to a redshirt freshman to fill his shoes.
Standing at 6’4,” 245 pounds, Gerri Green has a very similar build and he can also run the field extremely well as he runs a 4.57 40-yard dash, per SI.com’s Pete Thamel.
Mississippi State loses seven starters from 2014, so Green will become a focal point of the unit right away and should rack up a ton of tackles playing in McKinney’s old spot.
Will Grier, Florida
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Will Grier appears set to be another freshman primed to start in 2015.
Per Bleacher Report’s Barrett Sallee, Grier is expected to win the Gators' quarterback job, even with returning starter Treon Harris coming back. Grier, a redshirt freshman, is a pro-style passer who should fit in perfectly with new head coach Jim McElwain’s offense.
McElwain is the best offensive mind Florida have had since Urban Meyer, so improvement in that area should definitely be expected. Having leading receiver Demarcus Robinson back should also help. If Grier plays to his potential, the Gators could surprise in the SEC East.
Nyheim Hines, North Carolina State
8 of 21Nyheim Hines signed with North Carolina State as a 4-star all-purpose back and instantly became the most electrifying player on the Wolfpack roster.
His explosive quickness and speed, along with excellent vision—which he thoroughly displays in the above highlights—make Hines the elite weapon in space that quarterback Jacoby Brissett definitely needs.
Head coach Dave Doeren expects Hines to play immediately on offense as well as in the return game, per Luke Decock of the Charlotte Observer. Thus, look for the freshman to make big plays throughout the season.
Mitch Hyatt, Clemson
9 of 21Starting on the offensive line as a freshman for a championship contender like Clemson is pretty rare, yet Mitch Hyatt is on track to do just that.
Hyatt has been working extensively with the first-team offense and head coach Dabo Swinney recently said in a radio interview that the freshman gives Clemson “the best chance to win,” per the program’s website.
Hyatt is sure to earn plenty of accolades for a strong season given he will play in an explosive offense led by dynamic quarterback Deshaun Watson. Hyatt could be a top draft pick a few years down the road.
Martez Ivey, Florida
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As the nation’s top-ranked offensive tackle, Martez Ivey is primed to step in and start right away in Gainesville.
Florida returns only one starter on the offensive line in Trip Thurman and the entire unit has combined for just 10 starts otherwise. This will definitely allow Ivey, the most talented and physically gifted player up front, to become a major staple on the Gator offense.
Florida is a young team that will be a force in two or three seasons. Look for Ivey to set that foundation on the offensive line this year.
Derwin James, Florida State
11 of 21The top defensive back in the 2015 recruiting class, Derwin James is undoubtedly a special talent who will see the field plenty this season for Florida State.
The Seminoles secondary lost Ronald Darby and P.J. Williams to the 2015 NFL draft, which should allow James to step in at nickel corner or safety. He is already getting praise from teammate Jalen Ramsey, per Safid Deen of the Tallahassee Democrat, which is big coming from a guy who has started every game in his first two seasons, earning All-American honors in 2014.
James compares well with Ramsey as a fast, smart defensive back who can defend the run and the pass, which is evident in his highlight reel.
Florida State has a history of churning out stud defensive backs and James will be well on his way to fulfilling that trend after a big freshman season.
Malik Jefferson, Texas
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Another 5-star recruit, Malik Jefferson is already expected to step in and be a huge part of head coach Charlie Strong’s rebuild at Texas.
Strong said he expects to be a big player at linebacker for the team in 2015, especially after the losses of linebacker stalwarts Steve Edmond and Jordan Hicks to graduation, according to Nick Castillo of the Dallas Morning News.
Jefferson showed immense potential in the spring after enrolling early. He finished the spring game with five tackles and a forced fumble. Look for him to be another player destined for freshman All-American status.
Christian Kirk, Texas A&M
13 of 21Normally a player entering an offense with three established stars at his position would be prepared for a quiet season, but not with receiver Christian Kirk and definitely not in Texas A&M’s offense.
Speedy Noil, Josh Reynolds and Ricky Seals-Jones will be the top targets of quarterback Kyle Allen, but Kirk is an extremely polished receiver who will help make the Aggies passing attack the SEC’s best. He was listed as a starter on the A&M depth chart at SEC media days despite being the fourth-string receiver.
Kevin Sumlin loves to utilize four-wide receiver sets. Being the fourth option for the defense to worry about, Kirk should get plenty of matchups with weaker cornerbacks and linebackers, which he will usually win. Look for the former 5-star to emerge as one of the nation’s best young receivers.
Iman Marshall, USC
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Iman Marshall is a talented athlete who will begin his career in the secondary, per Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times.
USC returns a lot of depth in the defensive backfield, including both cornerbacks in star Adoree’ Jackson and Kevin Seymour. Marshall has the ability to break into the rotation with his tremendous athletic ability and strong ball skills. He also has the speed to cover Pac-12 receivers.
Marshall’s most likely starting at nickel corner behind Jackson and Seymour. As he gets more comfortable, his play will seriously start to elevate, which will see him earn more time at safety, a more natural position for Marshall with his ball-hawking skills.
Secondary is the strength of the Trojan defense and Marshall only solidifies that sentiment.
Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
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Hyped as arguably the nation’s best freshman heading into last season, Jabrill Peppers is back in the same position this year after injuries forced him to take a redshirt.
Still, huge things are expected out of Peppers. He is listed as a safety on the team’s website, but his skill set gives him the versatility to play anywhere in the secondary and also as an all-purpose player on offense.
With another season under his belt, with head coach Jim Harbaugh and with one of the nation’s best defensive minds in D.J. Durkin behind him, Peppers should finally break through and have a big season for Michigan. He will be one of the best young players in the Big Ten next year.
Ross Pierschbacher, Alabama
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After redshirting in 2014, Ross Pierschbacher had an outstanding spring. He secured the guard position with Alabama’s starting offensive line and has not looked back.
According to Marq Burnett of the Anniston Star, Pierschbacher continues to be the starter at guard at every practice this summer, which means he should be in for a big season blocking for Heisman candidate Derrick Henry.
At 6’4,” 298 pounds, Pierschbacher has the size and strength to succeed against massive SEC linemen. He and sophomore tackle Cam Robinson, who started every game in 2014, will lay out a foundation on the offensive line this year for seasons to come.
Damian Prince, Maryland
17 of 21Maryland’s best recruit since Stefon Diggs, Damian Prince struggled to live up to the hype in 2014 and redshirted.
This spring, Prince emerged from spring practice as the starting right tackle. The offensive line is experienced, with the other four starters having all started multiple games. Prince is powerful and extremely athletic for his 6’3,” 330-pound frame. This should allow him to hold on to his starting job into the fall.
Maryland has a new starting quarterback in Caleb Rowe, so Prince will be counted on to protect him. Given his immense talent and the strong supporting cast around him, Prince should contend for freshman All-American honors as well.
Josh Rosen, UCLA
18 of 21The Bruins have one of college football’s most loaded rosters after returning 18 starters, 10 on offense, from a team that finished 10-3 last season. Although with quarterback Brett Hundley off to the NFL, the team has a glaring hole under center.
Fortunately, head coach Jim Mora and his staff landed Josh Rosen, the nation’s top-ranked quarterback, during the offseason.
Rosen is battling with junior Jerry Neuheisel, who impressed in limited time last season. The competition is still open, but many, including ESPN.com's David Lombardi, believe Rosen is the favorite.
He is a gifted passer, especially as a freshman. His highlights show that he can make every thrown necessary to drive UCLA down the field, he will just need to adjust to the speed of the college game. With Heisman contender Paul Perkins in the backfield and five returning offensive linemen, Rosen has all the pieces in place to have a Matt Barkley-like debut season.
L.J. Scott, Michigan State
19 of 21Michigan State again enters 2015 as a College Football Playoff contender thanks to the return of quarterback Connor Cook and a strong defense. There are still some question marks on the team’s roster.
For instance: Who will replace running back Jeremy Langford? The former Spartan star ran for 1,522 yards and 22 scores last season. Look no further than true freshman back L.J. Scott.
Scott is a big and powerful runner who is already being compared to Le’Veon Bell by teammates, per Kyle Austin of MLive.com. In addition, head coach Mark Dantonio had similar praise for Scott, according to Mike Wilson of 247Sports.
“Le’Veon played early on in the process, so it’s possible and L.J. Scott looks like the real deal,” Dantonio said.
Scott will likely share some carries with Delton Williams, a reserve who ran for five touchdowns last season, but expect the freshman to become the team’s workhorse back by midway through the year.
Trent Thompson, Georgia
20 of 21Trent Thompson was pretty much the unanimous choice across recruiting services as the top player in the country, so it is only natural that he would be primed for an impact season as a freshman.
At 6’2,” 310 pounds, Thompson fits the mold of former Auburn star Nick Fairley as a big, run-stuffing body who is quick and athletic enough to pressure the quarterback. Thompson has it all and should develop into a game plan-destroyer very soon.
Georgia’s coaches are being conservative with their plans and expectations for Thompson, according to Marc Weiszer of the Savannah Morning News, but with numerous defensive line starters gone from last year’s team, there is little reason to think Thompson will not have a big role on this defense.
Kevin Toliver, LSU
21 of 21Since accepting Kevin Toliver’s commitment as a high school sophomore, LSU has been preparing for his arrival.
Thus, he is already expected to have an important role in a loaded LSU secondary that includes three All-American candidates in Jamal Adams, Jalen Mills and Tre’Davious White. Head coach Les Miles even started Toliver working out with the veteran group during LSU’s first preseason practice, per ESPN.com's David Ching. That is even more assurance for Toliver this season.
Judging from his above tape, Toliver possesses a football IQ and ball skills that are beyond his years. He should have no problem adjusting to SEC play and look for him to play most of the defense’s downs as a slot corner or even a roaming safety at times when Mills is playing closer to the line of scrimmage.
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