National Signing Day 2018: Top Recruits Most Likely to Start as Freshmen

College football programs are about to reap the rewards of their recruiting efforts on signing day.

And some of those programs will have starting sports for their recruits right away, whether due to depth issues, NFL departures or both. But which prospects have the most favorable outlooks?

Each player is ranked in the top 100 of 247Sports' composite rankings. Committed (and signed) players were the focus, but one uncommitted prospect is included.

Emory Jones, QB, Florida

Height/Weight: 6'2.5", 195 lbs.

High School/Hometown: Heard County; Franklin, GA

247Sports Composite: No. 85 overall (No. 5 dual-threat QB)

Florida fans are desperate for a steady, reliable presence under center. And after seeing fellow SEC teams Georgia and Alabama thrive with freshmen, those supporters are eyeing Emory Jones.

The 4-star flipped to the Gators during the early signing period, choosing Florida over a packed quarterback room at Ohio State.

An early enrollee, he'll compete with Feleipe Franks, Kyle Trask and Jake Allen in spring practice. Jones must add bulk to handle the physicality of both the college game and Dan Mullen's preferred offense, but Jones' skill set is the best match for that system.

Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami

Height/Weight: 6'3", 250 lbs.

High School/Hometown: Bishop Gorman; Las Vegas, NV

247Sports Composite: No. 33 overall (No. 1 TE)

Chris Herndon IV caught 40 passes for 477 yards and four touchdowns last season. In other words, he accounted for 89.2 percent of the production by Miami's tight ends.

That shows a combination of his talent and a shortage of options at the position. The Hurricanes will almost have no choice but to put Brevin Jordan on the field in 2018—and they might not want to remove him from the game.

After collecting 501 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior, Jordan gathered 63 receptions for 1,111 yards and 13 scores in 2017.

Jordan will be the Day 1 starter if he can beat out Michael Irvin II, Brian Polendey and fellow 2018 recruit Will Mallory.

BJ Foster, S, Texas

Height/Weight: 6'1", 188 lbs.

High School/Hometown: Angelton; Angleton, TX

247Sports Composite: No. 24 overall (No. 3 S)

Texas signed six defensive backs rated in the top 110 nationally, so BJ Foster isn't the only incoming player with an opportunity to join the secondary next season.

But he sure is an appealing choice now that DeShon Elliott is headed to the NFL, giving the Longhorns have an opening at safety.

During the Under Armour All-America Game, Foster showed off his speed, physicality and range. He forced a fumble, ended a touchdown threat with a crushing hit and intercepted a pass. There's a terrific chance Foster will showcase those skills as a starter for Texas in 2018.

JT Daniels, QB, USC

Height/Weight: 6'2", 205 lbs.

High School/Hometown: Mater Dei; Santa Ana, CA

247Sports Composite: No. 16 overall (No. 2 pro-style QB)

The wide-open competition to replace Sam Darnold added a contender when JT Daniels reclassified from 2019 into 2018.

During his three high school seasons, Daniels amassed 12,014 yards and 152 touchdowns compared to just 14 interceptions in 1,101 pass attempts. He added 593 yards and 13 scores on the ground.

He'll push Matt Fink and Jack Sears for the No. 1 role. Even if Daniels loses the battle initially—and it's tough to arrive in the summer yet start right away—sustained early struggles from Fink or Sears could give the freshman a chance.

Terrace Marshall, WR, LSU

Height/Weight: 6'2.5", 192 lbs.

High School/Hometown: Parkway; Bossier City, LA

247Sports Composite: No. 13 overall (No. 3 WR)

After sitting out 2017 as a transfer from Texas Tech, Jonathan Giles is highly likely to start next season. Otherwise, LSU has no certain options at wide receiver.

Stephen Sullivan, Dee Anderson, Derrick Dillon and Drake Davis combined for 29 catches and 390 yards last year. Dillon may start in the slot, but the remaining three must battle each other while attempting to hold off incoming 5-star Terrace Marshall.

He recorded back-to-back years with at least 1,250 yards and 14 touchdowns prior to an injury-shortened senior campaign.

LSU must improve its passing offense to truly compete with Alabama, Auburn and Georgia, and Marshall may emerge as a more reliable target than Sullivan, Anderson and Davis. 

Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, USC

Height/Weight: 5'11.5", 191 lbs.

High School/Hometown: Mater Dei; Anaheim, CA

247Sports Composite: No. 11 overall (No. 2 WR)

Tyler Vaughns is a rising star, but USC needs to replace 127 catches and 1,756 yards from Deontay Burnett and Steven Mitchell Jr.

The Trojans may look to Amon-Ra St. Brown for some of that production. A teammate of JT Daniels at Mater Dei, St. Brown collected 146 receptions, 2,785 yards and 42 touchdowns from 2015-2017.

Although USC boasts a talented group of young receivers, they're mostly unproven. Similar to Justin Shorter at Penn State, the most consistent player will likely earn the most snaps. St. Brown's explosiveness and reliable hands make him an intriguing candidate to soar on the depth chart as 2018 progresses.

Justin Shorter, WR, Penn State

Height/Weight: 6'4", 213 lbs.

High School/Hometown: South Brunswick; Monmouth Junction, NJ

247Sports Composite: No. 8 overall (No. 1 WR)

Juwan Johnson will start. That's a clear-cut, no-brainer sentence. DeAndre Thompkins needs to watch his back, though.

Penn State is bringing in 5-star Justin Shorter, who grabbed 112 passes for 1,822 yards and 21 touchdowns over this last three high school campaigns. Plus, he ran for 405 yards and five scores.

The departures of DaeSean Hamilton, Saquon Barkley, Mike Gesicki and even Saeed Blacknall have opened a massive void. There's too much potential production for Johnson, Thompkins and Brandon Polk to fill.

As a result, Shorter should be expected to contribute immediately. And if he's more consistent than Thompkins, he could steal the starting spot opposite Johnson.

Patrick Surtain Jr., CB, Uncommitted

Height/Weight: 6'1.25", 199 lbs.

High School/Hometown: American Heritage; Fort Lauderdale, FL

247Sports Composite: No. 6 overall (No. 1 CB)

Despite being uncommitted, Patrick Surtain Jr. is a unique case because of his elite talent and favorable outlooks at several of his top suitors.

Alabama needs to replace the entire secondary after losing cornerbacks Anthony Averett and Levi Wallace. LSU starters Donte Jackson and Kevin Toliver II are headed to the NFL. Miami lost Malek Young to a career-ending neck injury.

Surtain is the biggest prize remaining on the board, and he could solidify a starting lineup in the fall.

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