2016 QB Recruits Most Likely to See Field as True Freshmen

Getting major minutes at quarterback as a true freshman is quite difficult, especially at the Power Five level.

For every Josh Rosen or Brett Rypien, dozens of highly regarded quarterback recruits spend their first years way down on the depth chart or with a redshirt.

But this talented 2016 quarterback class has a handful of signal-callers who could make an instant impact at their new school by either battling for the starting job immediately or nailing down a key role as a backup. Several are already on campus, preparing for spring practices and their first opportunities to climb the depth chart at the college level. 

Here are seven 2016 quarterbacks who are the most likely to see the field as true freshmen this fall. These incoming freshmen aren't No. 1 contenders for their respective starting jobs this far in advance—and some might still take redshirts—but they all appear to have the ability and opportunity to get some sort of early playing time.

Which 2016 true freshman quarterback do you think will have the most success in the upcoming season? Tell us in the comments below.

Shane Buechele, Texas

Credit: 247Sports

QB-DT Ranking: 4 | Overall Ranking: 188

Size: 6'2", 185 pounds

Hometown: Arlington, Texas (Lamar)

Texas' quarterback issues have been well-documented over the last several seasons, but the Longhorns are getting a major reinforcement in the form of early enrollee Shane Buechele. Texas will return Jerrod Heard, Tyrone Swoopes and Kai Locksley, but they'll all be new in first-year offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert's scheme.

According to Wescott Eberts of Burnt Orange Nation, Buechele had a fantastic senior season at Lamar High School in Arlington, scoring 39 total touchdowns and completing just under 65 percent of his passes. He's already on campus and getting ready to compete in an offense that matches his skill set.

"From what I’ve seen when I look up stuff, he [Gilbert] does a lot of RPO [run-pass option] stuff. We did a lot of that at my high school," Buechele said, per Max Olson of ESPN.com. "It’s pretty similar. The tempo is the big thing. We’re gonna be going fast."

KJ Costello, Stanford

Credit: 247Sports (Isaiah Hole)

QB-Pro Ranking: 3 | Overall Ranking: 46

Size: 6'4", 213 pounds

Hometown: Rancho Santa Margarita, California (Santa Margarita Catholic)

When KJ Costello chose Stanford over USC last March, the initial reaction was that Costello wanted a better chance at early playing time. With veteran starter Kevin Hogan now departed from the Farm, Costello will jump into a position battle that will include Ryan Burns and Keller Chryst.

"Stanford has been all-in on Costello for some time, even electing to not sign a quarterback in last year's recruiting class," Peter Volk and Bud Elliott of SB Nation wrote last year. "That move sent a clear message about how much the Cardinal wanted Costello, but also about playing time."

Costello's arm strength makes him a perfect fit in Stanford's offensive scheme, and Bleacher Report's Damon Sayles noted in December how much the Cardinal coaching staff liked that he was a player "who doesn't fear competition." He could be the next California signal-caller to start from day one in the Pac-12.

Messiah deWeaver, Michigan State

Credit: 247Sports

QB-Pro Ranking: 11 | Overall Ranking: 257

Size: 6'4", 215 pounds

Hometown: Dayton, Ohio (Wayne)

It would be a shock to see Mark Dantonio's staff start a true freshman quarterback such as Messiah deWeaver in Michigan State's pro-style scheme. However, Dantonio has been talking up the early-enrolling deWeaver ahead of spring practice, where he'll have an "outstanding advantage to compete" with Tyler O'Connor and Damion Terry.

"Outstanding leader," Dantonio said, per Connor Ryan of 247Sports. "Outstanding performer, (deWeaver) has a gift, was in camp, great touch on the ball, can throw you open, great strength, velocity on the ball."

The 4-star deWeaver was rated as a pro-style quarterback, but he has excellent speed and reactions that should make him a dangerous playmaker at the next level. He might not win the starting job in his first season in East Lansing, but he has an opportunity to carve out some playing time by working hard in spring ball.

Jacob Eason, Georgia

Credit: 247Sports (Isaiah Hole)

QB-Pro Ranking: 2 | Overall Ranking: 5

Size: 6'5 ½", 208 pounds

Hometown: Lake Stevens, Washington (Lake Stevens Senior)

One of the biggest overall names in the 2016 recruiting class, 5-star Jacob Eason's solid commitment to Georgia and early enrollment in Athens make him the top choice to start as a true freshman. Although the adjustment from dominating in high school to starting in the SEC is huge, many think Eason has the tools to do that right away.

"Georgia offers Eason a chance to compete for immediate snaps as a true freshman, and spring practice provides an excellent proving ground for the young gunslinger," Bleacher Report's Tyler Donohue wrote in December. "By the time training camp starts in late summer, expect the blue-chip recruit to emerge as a strong contender to start."

Eason boasts tremendous size and an arm that is as accurate as it is powerful. Inconsistent quarterback play was a key issue for Georgia last season, and with Kirby Smart's new staff now taking over for the Bulldogs, this is the perfect opportunity for an elite newcomer such as Eason to take over the No. 1 job.

Feleipe Franks, Florida

Credit: 247Sports (Isaiah Hole)

QB-Pro Ranking: 5 | Overall Ranking: 54

Size: 6'5 ½", 210 pounds

Hometown: Crawfordville, Florida (Wakulla)

Feleipe Franks, the former LSU commitment who flipped to Florida last November, is looking more like a project for the Gators now that Purdue transfer Austin Appleby has joined the fray. However, the tall signal-caller enrolled early in Gainesville and will have the opportunity to compete for the starting job.

"He needs to refine some areas of his game, and for most quarterbacks, when that's the case they take a redshirt," Thomas Goldkamp of 247Sports wrote. "Still, the long-term upside for Franks is clear. He'll need to put on some muscle and get used to playing quicker, but his future in Gainesville appears very bright."

If Franks can make a good transition to the college game during the start of spring practice, there's a chance he might snag some early playing time in 2016. His strong arm makes him a great prospect for the near future of the Florida offense.

Malik Henry, Florida State

Credit: 247Sports

QB-Pro Ranking: 4 | Overall Ranking: 48

Size: 6'3", 185 pounds

Hometown: Long Beach, California (Long Beach Poly)

Starting a true freshman at quarterback would be a surprise coming from Jimbo Fisher, but 4-star passer Malik Henry has every intention of playing early for the Florida State Seminoles. He told Safid Deen of the Tallahassee Democrat he doesn't "plan on redshirting at all" in 2016.

Henry, who led his team to victory in the Under Armour All-America Game with a pair of touchdowns, will battle the likes of Sean Maguire, J.J. Cosentino and Deondre Francois this spring as an early enrollee. The California native has a strong arm and great reactiveness in the pocket, which makes him an ideal fit in Florida State's offensive system.

Even if he isn't able to nail down the starting job in his first season, Henry could be a valuable backup this fall—especially considering Maguire's injury status. Expect to see Henry on the field in some capacity for the Seminoles in 2016.

Brandon McIlwain, South Carolina

Credit: 247Sports

QB-DT Ranking: 2 | Overall Ranking: 170

Size: 6'2", 200 pounds

Hometown: Newtown, Pennsylvania (Council Rock North)

Dual-threat quarterback Brandon McIlwain is already making an impact for South Carolina on the baseball diamond as an early enrollee, and he has a great opportunity to carry that over onto the football field. McIlwain will battle for the starting job in a South Carolina offense that ranked 99th nationally in a tumultuous 2015 season.

"What are the Gamecocks getting in McIlwain? Most likely their best option at quarterback, even as a true freshman in 2016," Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee wrote. "Not to take anything away from Perry Orth, Connor Mitch, Michael Scarnecchia or dual-threat rising sophomore Lorenzo Nunez, but McIlwain is a perfect player to run the offense [Will] Muschamp intends to run."

McIlwain would be the ideal choice for Muschamp and offensive coordinator Kurt Roper to use in a 2016 season that will set the tone for their Gamecocks tenure. He has the arm, athleticism and leadership skills to take over right away in Columbia and lay the foundation for a new era of South Carolina football.

Recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Justin Ferguson is a college football writer at Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @JFergusonBR.