College Football Recruiting 2011: The Top 25 Instant Impact Recruits

All big time recruits are certainly confident in their abilities and talent level. As competitive as they are, they always state their desire for early playing time as a factor in selecting a school.

As much as coaches want to develop talent and skill, they put a premium on high school players who have the ability to make an early impact on their rosters.

Let's take a look at the 25 players who are due to make an instant impact as true freshmen.

25. Greg Robinson, OL, Thibidaux (Louisiana)

Robinson is a 6-4, 300 pound offensive lineman who has the toughness, athletic ability, and strength to play right away.

With Auburn to looking to be a bit thin along the offensive line, look for Robinson to find a home in the lineup early next season.

24. Ray Drew, DE, Thomas County Central (Georgia)

Drew has the frame and size at 6-5, 245 pounds to come in and see time early.

His athleticism will allow him to at the very least, be able to rush the passer in obvious passing situations and he should develop into a starter at some point in his freshman campaign.

23. Sammy Watkins, WR, South Fort Meyers (Florida)

Watkins has the speed, quickness, and flat out play making ability to sizzle as a freshman.

Headed to Clemson, he should see immediate time in the slot and on return teams before he claims a full time spot at receiver.

22. Jeff Driskel, QB, Hagerty (Florida)

It's a tough task for a QB to crack the lineup as a true freshman. But Driskel has the tools and may be coming into the right situation.

It's a toss up as whether current Florida QB John Brantley transfers or not, and with the switch to a pro-style offense, Driskel's skill set would fit better than the rest of the Gator signal callers left on the roster. Driskel could be poised for an early impact in Gainesville. 

21. Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Gig Harbor (Washington)

Seferian-Jenkins is a 6-7 tight end headed to Washington.

Big, athletic tight ends are a hot commodity and coach Steve Sarkisian should have some dynamic ways to get Seferian-Jenkins' up the seams and matched up against safeties and linebackers. 

20. Kenny Hilliard, RB, Paterson (Louisiana)

Hilliard is a big, downhill back with great straightline speed, at 6-0 and 220 pounds.

If he can pick up the pass protection schemes, he should be able to see time next year at LSU.

19. Anthony Johnson, O. Perry Walker (Louisiana)

Johnson is a load at 6-4 and 300 pounds. He has the strength, size, and power to immediately step on campus and take up space and eat up blocks.

His quickness will also surprise people and factor in his quest for early action at LSU.

18. Steve Edmond, LB, Daingerfield (Texas)

Edmond is a fantastic size/speed athlete who reads and reacts well to the run and pass.

He's athletic enough to play all three types of linebacker in a 4-3 scheme and this gives him really three chances to get on the field early next season.

17. Demetrius Hart, RB, Dr. Phillips (Florida)

I know when you see that Hart is only 5-8 and 190 pounds and plays running back you'll ask how he could play early as a freshman.

Here's how: as a weapon. Hart just needs the ball in his hands. Line him up at slot receiver, running back, punt and kick off returner and let him do his thing. He could even line up at some wildcat quarterback.

16. Lawrence Thomas, LB, Renaissance (Michigan)

6-4 and 240 pounds, Thomas has very good athletic ability for a player of his size. He could play tight end, linebacker and defensive end.

Thomas is big and physical, as he loves contact. He could easily become a coverage specialist on special teams and at some point take over a linebacker position at Michigan State in a run heavy Big 10 conference...would that make him a legend or leader?

15. Nick O'Leary, Dwyer (Florida)

O'Leary plays with such force, passion, and intensity, he once was kicked out of a game for being too intense this past season.

He's 6-4, 235 pounds, runs great routes, bursts out of his stance, and has great focus to make plays in traffic. Wherever he lands, he should see time instantly.

14. Brandon Williams, Brookshire (Texas)

A long and lean runner at 6-1 and 190 pounds, Williams has a chance to get some carries at Oklahoma next year.

Oklahoma loses DeMarco Murray next year, and while they boast a good stable of backs ready for prime time, Williams will definitely get a look.

13. Brent Calloway, LB, Russellville (Alabama)

Alabama runs a pro style defensive scheme which can be a complex to players initially. Calloway will look to learn the system early, which would be pleasing to Nick Saban as he could then use the versatile defender all over the field.

12. Mike Bellamy, RB, Punta Gorda (Florida)

Clemson fans were spoiled during the three great years when they had CJ Spiller toting the rock for the Tigers.

Mike Bellamy has the ability to bring back memories of Spiller and create enhanced memories for himself. The 5-10, 195 pound dynamic running back is certain get some carries as a freshman.

11. Cyrus Kouandjio, DeMatha (Maryland)

Kouandjio is an athletic and quick offensive lineman who cal slide and mirror well and while still possessing the strength to steer and punish in the run game

At 6-6 and 320 pounds he's college ready right now and will be more than ready wherever he winds up next season.

10. Hasean Clinton-Dix, DB, Dr. Phillips (Florida)

Whether he ends up on the perimeter at corner or up top at safety, at 6-2 and 190 pounds Clinton-Dix is the rare, big DB who has the movement skills and range to patrol the back end early in his career.

He's also a willing tackler and could stand out amongst other defensive backs on Alabama's roster.

9. James Wilder Jr., Plant (Florida)

Wilder Jr. reminds us of former Seminole Ernie Sims. He's too good of a pure football player to not have on the field.

Wilder Jr. could become a great big, physical running back, or become a dynamic, play making outside linebacker. His strength and athleticism will get him on the field automatically at FSU.

8. Trey Metoyer, WR, Whitehouse (Texas)

Metoyer is a big receiver who stands 6-2 and weighs nearly 200 pounds.

Running great routes, having a large strike zone, and deep speed will get a young receiver playing time as a freshman. Metoyer has those traits and more. Landry Jones to Trey Metoyer, get used to saying that folks.

7. Tony Steward, LB, Pedro Menendez (Florida)

Steward has amazing instincts, quickness, strength and is athletic for a linebacker.

6-2, and 225 pounds, Steward's instincts and ability to cover running backs will convinces coaches to give him time as a freshman. 

6. La'El Collins, OL, Redemptorist, (Louisiana)

Collins is an athletically gifted left tackle prospect who has great feet.

His 6-5 and 290 pound frame will need to add a bit of weight to hold up, but he already has the feet, athleticism, and strength to be a productive trench player for LSU next season.

5. Curtis Grant, LB, Hermitage (Virginia)

Let's get something straight: Curtis Grant isn't afraid of you or anybody else.

That's a true statement evidenced by watching Grant play and seeing him aggressively fill allies and holes vs. the run. He's physical and seems to relish contact at the point of attack.

He can step in and start right away.

4. George Farmer, WR, Serra (Southern California)

Farmer is billed as the most college ready receiver in this year's class.

Headed to USC, Farmer is as polished as Steve Smith, Vidal Hazelton, and Whitney Lewis coming out of high school and more polished than Mike Williams at this point.

6-2 and 200 pounds, he possesses the hands, speed, leaping ability, route running, quickness, and play making ability to realistically crack the lineup vs. the plethora of all world receivers and skill players up and down the Trojans' rosters.

3. Karlos Williams, DB, Davenport (Florida)

Williams is a versatile defender who's big enough to play outside linebacker and athletic enough to play safety.

Standing at 6-2 and 210 pounds, Williams can play in the box as a rover/strong safety type or become a permanent outside linebacker.

Jimbo Fisher and his staff will have the luxury of giving offensive coordinators fits by deploying him all over the field...and that likely will be in Williams' freshman season.

2. Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Pointe (South Carolina)

Clowney takes the No.2 notch on our list as he is the nation's best defensive end and past rusher.

At worst, the very worst, the 6-6 and 250 defensive end will become his school of choice's main sub package rusher in his freshman campaign. Clowney also has the strength to play the run and an athletic enough to even drop off into coverage.

Look for him to be a household name by this time in 2011.

1. Malcolm Brown, RB, Steele (Texas)

Brown is the most complete and college ready runner in this year's recruiting class. 6-0 and 220 pounds he is a man child with the football.

Running back is the position to make the easiest transition when jumping from level to level and Brown has all the ability to make the most impact as a freshman at Texas as he reminds us of former Longhorns' running back, Ricky Williams.