Top Incoming Freshmen with the Best Chance to Start in Week 1
Early enrolling true freshmen have a significant advantage in climbing depth charts, but an elite group of summer arrivals could earn starting roles in Week 1 of the 2016-17 college football season.
In some cases, the prospect fills a position of need. Others, however, simply beat out all other options on the roster.
Although nothing is guaranteed, the following players—each of which are ranked in the top 60 nationally—have the best chance to establish themselves in a significant role immediately.
Levonta Taylor, CB, Florida State Seminoles
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Levonta Taylor doesn't have an easy road to playing time—let alone a starting spot.
The Florida State Seminoles secondary is absolutely loaded, so immediately grabbing an outside cornerback role is unlikely for Taylor. However, he could hop Trey Marshall at "Star."
Taylor—who is also a leading candidate to return punts—is a "too good to keep off the field" freshman. The 5-star has earned the approval of FSU legend Deion Sanders.
"Let me tell you something: I expect him to walk in there Day One and learn the game and to be able to play and contribute," Sanders said, per Kevin Flaherty of 247Sports. "He has the attitude. He has the swagger. He has the work ethic. And academically, he's sound. So this guy's going to make a difference in someone's life."
Rashan Gary, DT, Michigan Wolverines
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Rashan Gary has made a handful of trips to Ann Arbor throughout the recruiting process, and he's already a crowd favorite.
That won't change on Saturdays this fall.
Gary racked up 27.5 sacks in 2014 and 2015 combined, solidifying himself as the consensus No. 1 prospect. Gary is joining a deep D-line, but defensive coordinator Don Brown expects production.
"That's hard placing expectations on a young man like that, but that's one guy — from all indications, from watching him play in all-star games, from his visits to campus, let's just say I'm pretty encouraged we're going to see that young man very early in his career," Brown said, according to Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press.
Tyrie Cleveland, WR, Florida Gators
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As long as wide receiver Antonio Callaway's status for the 2016 season remains unknown, the Florida Gators' outlook at wide receiver is shaky at best.
Excluding Callaway, no returning outside target had 10 catches last year. Only slot receiver Brandon Powell topped the mark. Tyrie Cleveland might help steady that weakness.
The nation's No. 2 receiver, Cleveland amassed 94 receptions for 2,023 yards and 27 touchdowns during his final two years in high school.
Cleveland needs to edge the likes of Ahmad Fulwood, Joshua Hammond, Freddie Swain and C.J. Worton for a top spot.
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Caleb Kelly, OLB, Oklahoma Sooners
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Eric Striker and Devante Bond left for the NFL, leaving a void at outside linebacker in Norman. Fortunately for the Sooners, they have 5-star Caleb Kelly arriving soon.
Ricky DeBerry and Obo Okoronkwo are considered the favorites, but the latter might be more of a pass-rush specialist than an every-down player like Kelly could be.
Perhaps that means the 25th-best prospect of the 2016 class will surge into the starting lineup. Okoronkwo could then focus on refining his skills as a passing-down edge-rusher.
Nate Craig-Myers, WR, Auburn Tigers
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Marcus Davis will be a starter. And that's the only probable outcome for the Auburn pass-receiving corps.
There's no doubt that Nate-Craig Myers will have an opportunity to join Davis, who only managed 182 yards on 30 receptions last season anyway. Jason Smith's 203 yards is the leading returning mark.
According to Brandon Marcello of SEC Country, Craig-Myers said that the coaching staff had told him that the starting jobs are not locked up.
"Watching the spring game and talking to coaches, the players, they tell me all the receivers' jobs are wide open," Craig-Myers said. "Just come in and compete. I feel like if I go out there and do my best, I'll have a shot to start in the first game."
N'Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State Sun Devils
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Three of Arizona State's top-four receivers graduated, so N'Keal Harry has a perfect chance to step in and play. Houston Texans wide receiver Jaelen Strong wants the 4-star to do more than that.
Since the Sun Devils must replace a majority of their production, the coaching staff would be smart to utilize Harry immediately in the pass-happy attack.
According to MaxPreps, Harry reeled in 48 passes for 802 yards and seven touchdowns in 2015.
Ed Oliver, DT, Houston Cougars
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Not only did the Houston Cougars have the eighth-best run defense in 2015, Cameron Malveaux, Nick Thurman and B.J. Singleton all return.
If any player is going to jump into the lineup, however, it's Ed Oliver.
The 5-star could play end or tackle for the Cougars, who will enter the regular season hyped as the best Group of Five program and potential College Football Playoff darkhorse.
Considering the impact 5-stars make at power-conference programs each year, Oliver blowing up offensive linemen in 2016 must be an appealing thought for Houston.
Greg Little, OT, Ole Miss Rebels
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The 6'5", 305-pound tackle Greg Little has a terrific opportunity at Ole Miss. All five starters on the offensive line departed, most notably, left tackle Laremy Tunsil.
While a handful of returning players offer significant game experience, Little could follow Tunsil's footsteps and hold down the left side of the offensive line as a freshman.
Little could do something Tunsil didn't though, and start all 12 games.
The Rebels need to protect Chad Kelly, who will have plenty of pass-catching weapons despite Laquon Treadwell's departure. Little could play a big role in Ole Miss Rebels' championship pursuit.
Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State Buckeyes
9 of 10Sam Hubbard is a potential breakout star at one defensive end, so Nick Bosa figures to compete with Tyquan Lewis on the opposite edge.
Then again, the 5-star isn't dead-set on the outside.
"I would like to end up being an edge guy but if getting on the field means I have to move inside, I'm just fine with that," Bosa said, according to Jeremy Birmingham of Eleven Warriors.
Michael Hill and Tracy Sprinkle—who combined for 16 stops last season—are leading candidates to start at tackle. Bosa is certain to join the rotation, but he'll lead one spot with an eye-popping fall camp.
Demetris Robertson, WR, Cal Golden Bears
10 of 10Demetris Robertson's recruitment was anything but ordinary. He ultimately picked the Cal Golden Bears three months after signing day.
Technically, the Georgia Bulldogs can still attempt to steal the 5-star wide receiver, which head coach Kirby Smart is trying to do. The deadline to sign a national letter of intent passed before Robertson made his decision.
But we'll work under the assumption that nothing changes. That's a stark contrast to the Golden Bears offense.
In addition to losing quarterback and No. 1 overall draft pick Jared Goff, Cal's top six receivers departed. All six caught at least 40 passes, accounting for 75.3, 79.3 and 86.4 percent of the team's receptions, yards and touchdowns, respectively.
Robertson could hardly enter a more favorable situation.
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.
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