2016 College Football Recruiting: 12 Prospects Most Likely to Start as Freshmen

In less than two months, the book will close on the class of 2016 and the focus will shift to which talented freshmen will contribute on the field next fall. 

Even though a number of prospects are still unclear with their future landing spots, there’s a reason coaches around the country will be busy battling over the right to land a handful of elite blue chips who could make an instant impact.

From standout quarterbacks who will enroll early to imposing defenders stepping into favorable situations in terms of playing time, a handful of standouts have a chance to make a name for themselves in 2016. 

Which 2016 recruits fit the bill and are most likely to start as freshmen? 

Recruits listed in alphabetical order.

5-Star DE Oluwole Betiku

Measurables: 6’3.5”, 240 pounds

Rank: No. 1 WDE, No. 11 overall 

Status: Considering Florida State, Notre Dame, Texas A&M and USC

Case to Start Early

While 5-star defensive end Oluwole Betiku just finished playing his second year of football, he’s wasted little time in making an impression.

After landing at Los Angeles area power Serra High School to begin his career, Betiku racked up 129 tackles—including 52 for loss and 28.5 sacks over the last two seasons.

Betiku is still learning the game, but his raw ability to get after the passer is undeniable.

Given that he will enroll at whatever school he chooses next month, he will have a chance to continue to develop and refine his overall game—which makes him an intriguing option to see the field next fall.

5-Star DT Derrick Brown

Measurables: 6’4”, 318 pounds

Rank: No. 3 DT, No. 9 overall 

Status: Considering Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Mississippi State and Tennessee 

Case to Start Early

Given the level of physicality in the trenches in the SEC, it takes a special prospect to be able to play as a freshman in one of the toughest leagues in the country.

At 6’4”, 318 pounds, 5-star defensive tackle Derrick Brown is far from the average freshman.

According to MaxPreps, Brown was an unstoppable force as a senior at Lanier High School in Buford, Georgia, as he recorded 106 tackles—including 42 for loss with 12 sacks and an interception. 

It was a season that helped him become the only defensive player named as a finalist for the U.S. Army All-American Player of the Year award, as detailed by Bleacher Report’s Tyler Donohue.

With his size and ability to wreak havoc in the opponent’s backfield, Brown is the type of prospect who is too talented to keep off the field regardless of where he ends up.

4-Star WR Tyrie Cleveland

Measurables: 6’2.5”, 189 pounds

Rank: No. 7 WR, No. 69 overall

Status: Committed to Houston

Case to Start Early

One of the biggest stories of the 2016 cycle is the class Houston and head coach Tom Herman have been able to put together.

One of the major pulls in that class is 4-star receiver Tyrie Cleveland.

The nation’s No. 10 wideout capped an ultra-productive prep career by hauling in 41 passes for 918 yards and 14 scores as a senior.

With current Cougars star Demarcus Ayers a candidate to potentially test the NFL draft waters in the offseason, Cleveland has the frame and skill set to step in and become the next dynamic threat to star in Herman’s high-octane attack.

4-Star WR Kyle Davis

Measurables: 6’1.5”, 218 pounds

Rank: No. 4 WR, No. 45 overall

Status: Committed to Auburn

Case to Start Early

Given that Auburn’s top two pass-catchers—Ricardo Louis and Melvin Ray—are seniors, Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn will be looking for help at the receiver position in the spring.

Enter 4-star Peach State product Kyle Davis, who was the subject of a heated recruiting battle between the Tigers and rival Georgia. 

With Davis set to be on campus next month as an early enrollee, he will get a chance to learn the offense and adjust to the college level this spring. 

By the time fall rolls around, Davis could figure as a key component to help the Tigers return to their explosive ways on offense next season.

4-Star WR Tren'Davian Dickson

Measurables: 6’0”, 171 pounds 

Rank: No. 10 WR, No. 80 overall 

Status: Committed to Baylor

Case to Start Early

One of the main features of Baylor’s explosive offense is the presence of playmakers at the receiver position.

However, the Bears are likely going to have to replace All-American Corey Coleman—who could skip his senior season to enter the NFL draft.

Head coach Art Briles may have his replacement in 4-star in-state receiver Tren’Davian Dickson. As detailed by Colt Barber of 247Sports, Dickson capped a prep career that saw him snatch 39 touchdown receptions as a junior—a mark that stands as a national record on the high school level.

Given the Bears’ propensity for tossing the football around, Dickson is a prime candidate to explode in Waco sooner than later.

5-Star QB Jacob Eason

Measurables: 6’5”, 217 pounds

Rank: No. 1 Pro Style QB, No. 4 overall

Status: Committed to Georgia 

Case to Start Early

Georgia struggled offensively this season, which led to the departure of head coach Mark Richt. 

New Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart’s first order of business was keeping the commitment of 5-star quarterback Jacob Eason, a matter in which he succeeded.

Considering the mess the quarterback position was last season, ‘Dawgs fans have been patiently awaiting the arrival of the newly-crowned Gatorade National Player of the Year, as detailed by Jake Rowe of Dawgs247. 

With Eason arriving in Athens as an early enrollee, he will be given every chance to take the starting job and run with it in 2016.

4-Star QB Feleipe Franks

Measurables: 6’5”, 220 pounds

Rank: No. 3 Pro Style QB, No. 37 overall

Status: Committed to Florida

Case to Start Early

Similar to the situation at Georgia, Florida head coach Jim McElwain will enter spring practice with questions swirling around the quarterback position. 

With former starter Will Grier opting to transfer, and the offense’s late-season ineptitude under Treon Harris, McElwain is likely to take a long look at 4-star quarterback and early enrollee Feleipe Franks in spring ball.

Over the course of his sophomore and junior year at Wakulla High School in Crawfordville, Florida, Franks threw for 4,091 yards and 46 touchdowns.

The Gators could also turn to transfer Luke Del Rio or fellow early enrollee Kyle Trask, but the case can be made that neither presents McElwain with the type of upside Franks possesses.

4-Star WR N'Keal Harry

Measurables: 6’4”, 210 pounds

Rank: No. 16 WR, No. 100 overall

Status: Committed to Arizona State 

Case to Start Early

Arizona State head coach Todd Graham will lose three of his top receivers to graduation in the offseason.

However, in 4-star in-state pass-catcher N’Keal Harry, Graham will get one of the nation’s most freakish athletes who can do things like shatter backboards on the hardwood. 

At 6’4”, 210 pounds, Harry has the type of size and leaping ability to be an instant threat in the red zone for the Sun Devils.

With an appealing depth chart and a skill set that translates to college, Harry has an opportunity to torture Pac-12 defenses beginning next fall.

5-Star OL Gregory Little

Measurables: 6’5.5”, 305 pounds

Rank: No. 1 OT, No. 2 overall

Status: Committed to Ole Miss

Case to Start Early

The last time Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze landed the nation’s top offensive tackle prospect, he ended up with a three-year starter in Laremy Tunsil.

With Tunsil projected to be a high first-round selection in the upcoming NFL draft, Freeze will be tasked with replacing a franchise left tackle on his offensive line. 

However, in 5-star offensive line pledge Gregory Little, Freeze may have hit the recruiting lotto with another potential multi-year starter at one of the most important positions on the field.

Little has the size and technique necessary to make a big impact in Oxford as soon as he arrives on campus.

5-Star TE Isaac Nauta

Measurables: 6’4”, 237 pounds

Rank: No. 1 TE, No. 9 overall

Status: Considering Alabama, Georgia and Michigan

Case to Start Early

With the role of the tight end becoming more important in offenses in recent years, programs around the country are searching for prospects who can be effective receivers in the passing game while simultaneously being able to open holes on the ground. 

The top tight end prospect in the 2016 class is 5-star Isaac Nauta.

While his senior season wasn’t gaudy from a statistical perspective, he proved his worth at The Opening where he was one of the more dominant forces in seven-on-seven tournament play. 

With Nauta’s size and ability to pose a mismatch against safeties or linebackers, he’s the rare tight end who is capable of becoming an impact player from the first day he steps onto a college campus.

4-Star LB Rahshaun Smith

Measurables: 6’3”, 239 pounds

Rank: No. 2 ILB, No. 74 overall 

Status: Considering Auburn, Clemson, LSU

Case to Start Early

The recent trend of players skipping their final semesters of high school to enroll early in college has helped a number of recruits get a jump-start on making the adjustment to the next level. 

One such prospect who is likely to benefit from being on campus for the spring is 4-star linebacker Rahshaun Smith.

Regardless of which of his finalists he selects, Smith is likely to find an appealing depth chart waiting for him. 

Smith’s leadership qualities and his ability to make plays from sideline to sideline make him a candidate to be on the field early and often during his freshman year.

5-Star CB Levonta Taylor

Measurables: 5’11”, 182 pounds

Rank: No. 1 CB, No. 7 overall

Status: Committed to Florida State

Case to Start Early

When it comes to producing elite corner prospects, Florida State is a program that has fared among the nation’s best in that category in recent years. 

However, the Seminoles will likely have to replace starting corner Jalen Ramsey, who is a likely first-round NFL draft choice if he skips his senior season. Fellow junior corner Marquez White also had a strong enough season where he could also test the NFL draft waters.

In 5-star corner Levonta Taylor, Seminoles head coach Jimbo Fisher has a versatile option he could plug in on the outside or even in the slot thanks to his combination of speed and athleticism.

Regardless of the changes in personnel in the ‘Noles secondary, Taylor is the type of athlete who can make a difference similar to what Ramsey and safety Derwin James were able to do as a freshmen in Tallahassee.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow @SanjayKirpalani