Redshirt Freshmen Who Will Be Playmakers in 2016

Immediate-impact prospects are tremendous additions to any college football program, but a collection of redshirt freshmen will provide that kind of boost in 2016.

Perhaps they served as a backup to an incumbent starter last season, entered a loaded roster or simply needed a year to develop.

But next season, the following second-year players have favorable opportunities to become key contributors on their respective teams.

You might even see a couple of these guys occupying major roles during the College Football Playoff.

Other Names to Watch

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Deondre Francois, QB, Florida State: Working under the prediction Sean Maguire remains the starting quarterback for the Seminoles, Deondre Francois will be a backup in 2016. But if you believe the 4-star will overtake Maguire, Francois is a top option on the list.

Tristen Hoge, C, Notre Dame: The No. 1-ranked center of the 2015 class, Tristen Hoge will battle Sam Mustipher for the starting nod. However, it's evident the coaching staff thinks highly of Hoge, considering he was named a Scout Team Player of the Year.

Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson: Shaq Lawson and Kevin Dodd could be first-round picks in the 2016 NFL draft. No wonder Clelin Ferrell wasn't rushed into the lineup. Clemson should turn to the 4-star this fall, and Ferrell probably won't disappoint.

Frank Buncom IV, CB, Stanford: If the 4-star breaks into the rotation, Frank Buncom IV might turn some heads. At 6'2", Buncom has tremendous size for a cornerback. He'll need to leap Terrence Alexander and/or Alameen Murphy on the depth chart, though.

Deionte Thompson, S, Alabama: Recruited as a safety, Deionte Thompson made his presence known with two interceptions during a spring scrimmage. Head coach Nick Saban experimented and placed Thompson at wide receiver, but the 4-star has switched back to the secondary, according to Matt Zenitz of AL.com.

Richard McBryde, LB, Auburn

Credit: 247Sports

Richard McBryde

Auburn's productive duo of Kris Frost and Justin Garrett allowed Richard McBryde to watch from the sideline and develop on the practice field in 2015.

Yet the 4-star still managed to grab some attention. Michael Niziolek of the Ledger-Enquirer noted Frost said McBryde was impressive late in the season.

Heading into spring practice, the Tigers have a wide-open competition at outside linebacker. Tre Williams is the only player with significant experience.

Aided by the year off, McBryde will be ready to fill that void.

Drew Richmond, OT, Tennessee

Offensive linemen aren't prototypical playmakers, but running lanes don't exist without them.

Some teams have a particular celebration for when a young player gains the trust of the roster. At Tennessee, it's the removal of the black stripe on the helmet.

After a bowl practice, the sign of youth was no longer needed for offensive tackle Drew Richmond.

"The defensive line actually took his stripe off," Vols head coach Butch Jones said, according to Michael Wayne Bratton of Fox Sports. "I think that's quite a compliment coming from them because he goes against them every day in scouts. So I see him progressing."

Assuming Chance Hall retains his job, the 6'5", 301-pound Richmond will compete with—and likely best—Brett Kendrick for the right to protect Joshua Dobbs' blindside.

Jamario Bell, DE, Arkansas

Credit: 247Sports

Jamario Bell

Jamario Bell sat out the 2015 campaign while adjusting to the college game. The offseason hasn't started well, since he recently returned from an academic-related one-week suspension.

Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema has high hopes—but equally high fears—for the redshirt freshman, according to Eric Bolin of the Arkansas News Bureau:

"

Jamario Bell could [go] down as one of the greatest achievements or greatest underachievements in my coaching career. He's very talented, he's got a very, very blessed appearance. He's got all the physical demeanor and everything. But my man just has to take the academic world a lot more serious.

"

Even in limited snaps, Bell could put together a breakout season. The 6'5", 253-pounder has loads of untapped potential as a blitzer from outside linebacker.

As long as his academics are in order, Bell will bolster a formidable Arkansas front seven.

Leo Lewis, LB, Mississippi State

Not often does a highly rated recruit ask the coaching staff to take a redshirt. Leo Lewis did exactly that, drawing the praise of defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, who has since accepted a job at Miami.

"I loved it, and it was his idea," Diaz said of Lewis' sitting out 2015, according to Paul Jones of 247Sports. "It showed that he knew his best years are still ahead of him. It showed that he has a respect for the process of developing to be a college football player."

Having saved a year of eligibility, Lewis enters spring practice as a possible replacement for NFL-bound Beniquez Brown.

It shouldn't matter if his college career begins on special teams; the 4-star will make regular contributions.

Madison Akamnonu, OT, Texas Tech

Texas Tech lost a few starters on the offensive line, including left tackle LeRaven Clark. Replacing Clark and the other departed seniors should be the team's No. 1 priority, given the talent of Patrick Mahomes behind center.

Madison Akamnonu has a chance to secure one vacated spot. According to Don Williams of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Akamnonu is opening spring practice on the right edge.

Williams noted offensive coordinator Eric Morris said no position is definite, though he'd prefer to develop Justin Murphy as a guard. In other words, the Red Raiders are looking for Akamnonu to start at one tackle spot.

The 6'5", 294-pounder should be a multiyear fixture on an explosive Texas Tech offense—starting in 2016.

K.J. Hill, WR, Ohio State

Few offenses must replace more NFL-level contributors than Ohio State. Fortunately for Urban Meyer and Co., it snagged K.J. Hill one season ago.

A 4-star receiver out of Arkansas, Hill is an explosive play waiting to happen. His high school position coach, Jonathan Calvin, shared a story of how one poor defender found out in a painful way.

"You know how the say ankle-breaking moves? He literally broke the guy's ankles and walked into the end zone," Calvin said, per Bill Landis of the Northeast Ohio Media Group.

Along with fellow redshirt freshman Torrance Gibson, the Buckeyes will expect Hill to carry a receiving corps that lost Michael Thomas, Braxton Miller and Jalin Marshall.

Keisean Lucier-South, LB, UCLA

UCLA kept Keisean Lucier-South tucked away for the entire 2015 campaign. That didn't stop him from grabbing the most important set of eyes.

Head coach Jim Mora listed Lucier-South among a group of redshirt players who stood out, per Jack Wang of the Los Angeles Daily News.

Lucier-South is an impressive specimen, boasting a 6'4", 215-pound frame. The 5-star was rated No. 17 overall in the 2015 class, per the 247Sports composite rankings.

Hopefully, the Bruins elect to use Lucier-South as an edge-rusher, because he's an explosive weapon who should consistently disrupt the pocket.

Mike Weber, RB, Ohio State

Sometimes, rushing onto the field simply isn't necessary. And in Mike Weber's case, not allowing a torn right meniscus to completely heal would've been foolish with Ezekiel Elliott around.

Looking back on the 2015 season, though, Cleveland.com's Ari Wasserman noted Weber realized taking a redshirt was the smart decision.

"But if I had to do it again, I'd be a redshirt because I learned from Zeke and the guys in front of me. I just sat back and watched those guys. I am just going to let it all loose next year."

Weber, Hill and Gibson will probably be the nation's most productive trio of redshirt freshmen.

Ricky DeBerry, LB, Oklahoma

Last season, Eric Striker and Devante Bond combined for 24.5 tackles for loss, including 10 sacks. But the duo is headed to the pros, which might have opened the door for Ricky DeBerry.

It's difficult not to get excited about the 4-star, who is listed at 6'2" and 242 pounds. Striker, on the other hand, measured in at 5'11" and 228 pounds during the NFL combine, per AL.com.

Though fellow outside linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo has 20 career appearances, 17 tackles and four sacks, DeBerry should assert himself as the starter.

And soon enough, he'll be maintaining a presence in the backfield and rattling quarterbacks.

Blake Barnett, QB, Alabama

Butch Dill/Associated Press

Alabama has an opening at quarterback, and head coach Nick Saban tends to favor veterans. But from our vantage point, a young talent is the preferred option.

"There is no question in my mind that redshirt freshman Blake Barnett has the best overall tools on the roster," Bleacher Report's Adam Kramer said. "Having spent last season serving as the scout team's QB and the defensive line's daily lunch, he has the experience win the job."

Cooper Bateman certainly could open the season as the starter. He shared reps with Jake Coker for three weeks last year, after all.

But as the season progresses, expect Barnett to receive—and excel throughout—his chance to lead the offense.

All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from cfbstats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.