Projecting 2016 College Football Freshmen All-American Team
If you think the impact of freshmen is overrated, take a close look at the 2016 national title game.
The Clemson Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide, the two participants, each had one offensive and one defensive Freshman All-American. For the Tigers, it was left tackle Mitch Hyatt and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins; for the Tide, it was receiver Calvin Ridley and cornerback Marlon Humphrey.
Predicting the identity of next year's Hyatt, Wilkins, Ridley and Humphrey is difficult but still worth trying. Things will change on national signing day and throughout the spring and summer, but based on what we know, there is already a lot to work with.
The following predictions account for talent and opportunity. The best players hold an obvious advantage, but only if they're in line to play and start as freshmen. Even if they show well in a rotation, they won't make the team unless they post big numbers.
That's just the way it's always been.
Quarterback
1 of 7
Deondre Francois, Florida State (Redshirt)
2015 Composite Rank: 64 2015 Pro-QB Rank: 3
Sean Maguire has manned the ship but looks remarkably average, and Everett Golson is gone. If the Florida State Seminoles want to challenge Clemson—an offense bringing back so much talent and continuity—it needs a quarterback with NFL upside.
Deondre Francois is that quarterback, which should earn him the starting job and command of a loaded offense. With running back Dalvin Cook and receivers Travis Rudolph, Bobo Wilson, Kermit Whitfield, Ermon Lane and George Campbell set to return, Francois has all he needs to post Jameis Winston-type numbers.
Running Backs
2 of 7
Mike Weber, Ohio State (Redshirt)
2015 Composite Rank: 78 RB Rank: 9
Curtis Samuel will emerge in a slash-type role, and Bri'onte Dunn won't make winning the job easy, but Mike Weber remains the most logical and talented replacement for Ezekiel Elliott. He gradually developed on the scout team and has the upside to carry the load.
"If we would have needed him, we would have played him," running backs coach Tony Alford said of Weber's freshman season, per Steve Helwagen of 247Sports. "Knock on wood, Zeke was able to stay healthy. Had something happened where he would have been out for an extended period of time, there would have been some real conversations about how we would mix him in."
Devwah Whaley, Arkansas
2016 Composite Rank: 95 RB Rank: 3
Devwah Whaley committed to the Arkansas Razorbacks for a reason. Despite strong ties elsewhere, he saw a backfield losing Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams to the NFL Draft, with Rawleigh Williams III recovering from neck surgery and Kody Walker (6'2", 256 lbs) better suited to a short-yardage role than that of an every-down back.
With quarterback Brandon Allen and tight end Hunter Henry leaving, head coach Bret Bielema will rein in last year's passing attack and get back to his roots. This offense will run enough to share carries, and Whaley has the talent to post a 1,000-yard true freshman season. Collins did the same alongside Williams three years ago.
Wide Receivers & Tight End
3 of 7
WR Donnie Corley/Cam Chambers, Michigan State
2016 Composite Rank: 107/235 WR Rank: 15/48
Maybe this is cheating, but it's hard to pick between Donnie Corley and Cam Chambers, two Army All-Americans who enrolled early with the Michigan State Spartans. Corley comes with slightly more hype, but either could emerge as Aaron Burbridge's replacement. LJ Scott proved last season that when the Spartans have a hole at a skill position, they're willing to throw blue-chip freshmen on the field. Wide receiver is a glaring hole, and Corley and Chambers are both blue-chippers.
WR Kyle Davis, Auburn
2016 Composite Rank: 72 WR Rank: 9
The Auburn Tigers can still sign the No. 6 wide receiver, Nate Craig-Myers, but Kyle Davis enrolled early and has a jump on learning the system. Those extra months of practice will prove valuable as Davis competes for early snaps. He has every chance to win that competition, as both of last year's leading receivers, Ricardo Louis and Melvin Ray, were seniors. Head coach Gus Malzahn is on a moderately—and shockingly—hot seat, so he won't be coy with playing star freshmen.
TE Isaac Nauta, Georgia
2016 Composite Rank: 12 TE Rank: 1
Even with Jeb Blazevich returning, Isaac Nauta is too good to sit. He's one of the best tight end prospects in modern recruiting history, and his strong blend of blocking and receiving, combined with his enrollment for spring practice, makes him just about SEC ready. New offensive coordinator Jim Chaney managed multiple tight end sets under Bret Bielema at Arkansas. Especially with a lack of proven receivers, the Georgia Bulldogs will find ways to feature Nauta.
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Offensive Line
4 of 7
OT Greg Little, Ole Miss
2016 Composite Rank: 3 OT Rank: 1
Greg Little arrives to the Ole Miss Rebels as potential No. 1 overall draft pick Laremy Tunsil leaves, and he should inherit Tunsil's role at left tackle. Little grades around as high as Tunsil and Alabama's Cam Robinson, two recent blue-chip tackles who started from Day 1 and earned Freshman All-America honors for SEC West teams. Despite not enrolling early, Little has the tools to follow those footsteps and protect quarterback Chad Kelly's blindside.
OG Jalin Barnett, Nebraska (Redshirt)
2015 Composite Rank: 180 OG Rank: 8
The Nebraska Cornhuskers lose four starting offensive linemen, including guards Zach Sterup and Chongo Kondolo. Although there's depth around him, Jalin Barnett stands a good chance of replacing one of them. He's a blue-chip recruit with great size (6'4", 310 lbs) who just won scout team offensive MVP honors, per Brian Christopherson of the Lincoln Journal Star. It will be hard to keep the big fella off the field.
OC Tristen Hoge, Notre Dame (Redshirt)
2015 Composite Rank: 89 OC Rank: 1
Tristen Hoge impressed coaches on the scout team, winning offensive MVP over multiple worthy candidates. That's a good start for last cycle's top-ranked center, who didn't play last year but learned behind Nick Martin, one of the best offensive linemen in college football, and presumably improved because of it. He'll battle rising junior Sam Mustipher to replace Martin next season. If he wins that battle, he's easily the favorite for this spot.
OG Michal Menet, Penn State
2016 Composite Rank: 28 OG Rank: 1
The Penn State Nittany Lions return four starting offensive linemen, but they return from a unit that's been cellophane the past two seasons. Menet is the No. 1 guard in the country and has the benefit of a joining an offense under new leadership. As he told Rich Scarcella of the Reading Eagle, he's skipping basketball season to focus on adding weight (current size: 6'5", 273 lbs) so he can compete to start next season. If he does, he might be just what Penn State fans ordered.
OT Jonah Williams, Alabama
2016 Composite Rank: 17 OT Rank: 2
Alabama needs help at right tackle. Dominick Jackson—who departs—struggled all season, but none of the players behind him could win the job. Head coach Nick Saban prefers to bring linemen along slowly, but Jonah Williams enrolled early and fits the profile of a Day 1 starter. The man he'd start across from, left tackle Cameron Robinson, forced his way into the lineup as a 5-star true freshman two years ago.
Defensive Line
5 of 7
DE Oluwole Betiku, USC
2016 Composite Rank: 16 WDE Rank: 1
Oluwole Betiku is a missile off the edge and one of the best pure pass-rushers in the class. He's a slightly less freakish version of Myles Garrett, which should earn him early playing time with the USC Trojans, who lose their top four defensive linemen along with star linebacker Su'a Cravens. Despite his lack of development—Betiku, a native Nigerian, has only played football for two years—USC needs him as soon as possible.
DT Rashan Gary, Undecided
2016 Composite Rank: 1 DT Rank: 1
No matter where he plays, Rashan Gary will see the field early and make a Freshman All-America impact. He's too explosive and full of burst not to. Unlike most defensive tackles, that explosion allows him to post numbers on the box score, which reflects the size of his impact. Especially if he goes to the Michigan Wolverines, where Willie Henry and Ryan Glasgow depart, he can step in and wreak havoc from Day 1.
DT Ed Oliver, Houston
2016 Composite Rank: 6 DT Rank: 3
Undersized (6'2", 277 lbs) but highly productive, Ed Oliver looks like the next Aaron Donald. He uses his lack of height to his advantage, darting through holes bigger tackles couldn't find and making play after play in the backfield. It helps that he's committed to Houston and will go against AAC offensive linemen. Despite slightly softer competition, his numbers will be too good to ignore.
DE Clelin Ferrell, Clemson (Redshirt)
2015 Composite Rank: 115 WDE Rank: 7
Clemson survived—and then some—without Clelin Ferrell last season, allowing the blue-chip freshman to redshirt. Next year, however, there will be another exodus on defense, so Ferrell will be asked to step up. He has college-ready size (6'5", 255 lbs) and is another year removed from ACL surgery before his senior year of college. Look for him to post big numbers in Brent Venables' scheme.
Linebackers
6 of 7
Camilo Eifler, Washington
2016 Composite Rank: 143 OLB Rank: 11
Camilo Eifler walks into a good spot with the Washington Huskies, who lose starting "Buck" linebacker Travis Feeney and need a new big-play weapon. Eifler, one of the best pure athletes in the class, is a prime choice to fill the role. This role, for what it's worth, has produced 27 sacks and 42.5 tackles for loss from Feeney and Hau'oli Kikaha over the past two seasons. So yeah, whoever fills it will post big numbers.
Leo Lewis, Mississippi State (Redshirt)
2015 Composite Rank: 63 ILB Rank: 1
Leo Lewis took a redshirt on his own volition, asking former defensive coordinator Manny Diaz to sit out his first year. "I loved it and it was his idea," Diaz told Paul Jones of 247Sports. "It showed that he knows his best years are still ahead of him." Even with Diaz off to Miami, those best years should start next season, especially after Beniquez Brown declared for the NFL draft. Lewis was his cycle's top inside linebacker and has an excellent chance to show why.
Anthony McKee, Pittsburgh (Redshirt)
2015 Composite Rank: 370 OLB Rank: 28
Anthony McKee had a quiet first season, redshirting while adding weight to his frame. But Pittsburgh Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi does an impeccable job with linebackers, and McKee, while technically a 3-star prospect, rates higher than most of his previous subjects. With Nicholas Grigsby leaving, Pitt needs a new face to emerge at "Star" linebacker. McKee has the range, length and credentials to step into that role.
Defensive Backs
7 of 7
CB Frank Buncom IV, Stanford (Redshirt)
2015 Composite Rank: 150 CB Rank: 15
Frank Buncom IV showed well in fall camp before breaking his hand and redshirting. In the interim, several other young cornerbacks developed, so now he'll have to compete hard to start. Alijah Holder probably locked down one job, but Buncom IV, grandson of former NFL linebacker Frank Buncom II, has the talent to supplant Alameen Murphy. If he does, he'll join and contribute to an excellent secondary.
S Brandon Jones, Undecided
2016 Composite Rank: 40 S Rank: 1
No matter which team he chooses between the Texas A&M Aggies and Texas Longhorns, Brandon Jones is in line for early playing time. If it's the Aggies, he'll join a secondary that returns two safeties but loses both starting cornerbacks and will happily shuffle the deck for him to play. If it's the Longhorns, well, head coach Charlie Strong can't afford to bring top-50 recruits along slowly. Jones is not a bruiser but has rare speed to cover ground in center field. Even with a slow close to the recruiting cycle, that should earn him early playing time.
S Deionte Thompson, Alabama (Redshirt)
2015 Composite Rank: 44 S Rank: 2
Buried on a depth chart on which there is no shame being buried, Deionte Thompson spent part of his freshman year on offense. But Nick Saban has moved him back to safety, per Matt Zenitz of AL.com, because he thinks that's where Thompson can have a bigger impact next season. Part of why Thompson redshirted was a lack of bulk, but he's already added 20 pounds of muscle. He's flexible enough to play either safety spot and should bully his way into a strong second season.
CB Tyler Byrd, Miami (FL)
2016 Composite Rank: 86 CB Rank: 10
Tyler Byrd raised his stock with a huge week at the Army All-America Bowl, capping things in the main game with a smooth interception and a blocked PAT return for a safety. As a result, he rose—and deserved to rise—from outside the Top 200 to No. 86 in the country. New head coach Mark Richt has never cared about playing young cornerbacks, and the Miami Hurricanes lose all four of last year's secondary starters. Watch for Byrd to come flying out of the gate.
Note: All recruiting info refers to 247Sports' composite rankings.
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