SEC Football Recruiting: Ranking The Top Instant Impact Freshman in 2011

The SEC continues to be the flagship conference in college football and regarded the most talented conference in the game today. How does the SEC continue to be such a talented conference? Recruiting. The conference attracts the nation's top high school talent from all over the country and will have some instant impact freshman in 2011.

The 2011 class is full of big names who will look to prove they are more than just hype. With the nation's No.1 overall recruit headed to the SEC, and more top flight talent entering the conference, it doesn't look like the end is near when it comes to talent not being in the SEC.

Let's take a look at some freshman entering the conference who could be poised to make instant impacts.

10. Kenny Hilliard, RB: LSU

Hilliard is a 6'0", 220 pound running back who has been productive in high school, which only trends to him being productive in college. He scooted for over 8600 career yards on the Louisiana high school scene and plays a position that can easily transition to impact a roster immediately.

LSU enters the 2010 season with a new offensive coordinator in former Louisville head man, Steve Kragthorpe.  Zach Metternberer will challenge Jordan Jefferson for the starting signal caller job, so change could coming to the entire offense.

What better opportunity for one of the best running backs to enter LSU's program to come in and get some early carries and impact the Tigers' running game?

9. Kiehl Frazier, QB: Auburn

Frazier enters the Auburn program with lofty expectations, and some will immediately look to him to replace Cam Newton. The 6'3", 210 pounder certainly has the skill set to do so, but also has a leg up on learning the system.

Coming from the Springdale, Arkansas area, Frazier played in an eerily similar offensive system to the one Gus Malzahn uses now at Auburn. Barrett Trotter and Clint Mosely will also battle for the spot, but the talent of Frazier puts him thick in the race.

Frazier has a strong arm, is very athletic, mobile and a leader who really takes charge of his huddle. Auburn will be young in 2010, but Frazier, along with the talent from the last two recruiting classes, really give the Tigers long term potential.

8. La'El Collins, OT: LSU

Joeseph Barksdale is leaving the Bayou, graduating and heading to the NFL. The left tackle spot at LSU is up for grabs, and the Tigers signed an elite left tackle prospect in one La'El Collins.

6'5", 290 pounds, Collins already has the slide, mirror and recover ability to be a solid pass protector as a true freshman in the SEC. Steve Kragthorpe and Les Miles could marvel at his agility and balance, choosing to throw him in to the fire immediately for the Tigers.

If this occurs, look for Collins to hold his own on the left edge while gaining more and more strength improvement as a run blocker.

7. Dee Hart, RB: Alabama

Hart is already on campus at Alabama, taking classes and participating in spring ball. This surely will get him up to speed for fall camp; he will be like a red-shirt freshman come time to start the season.

5'8", 190 pounds, Hart does not have the size, but has tremendous play making ability with the football. He has very good speed, quickness and instincts which should make Alabama giddy to use him on offense.

With the experience he's getting now, combined with his talent, Hart should ring some bells early in Tuscaloosa for the SEC.

6. Christian Westerman, OT/OG: Auburn

Westerman is a 6'5", 290 pound lineman who can play right tackle and guard. He's probably the top run blocking lineman entering college football. Westerman understands how to fire at the snap, bend his knees, explode upon contact and drive his feet to the finish.

Headed to Auburn and not Texas, the Tigers' offensive front will take a hit to a few players leaving due to graduation. Westerman is certainly talented enough to grab a spot to start, as is Reese Dismukes, Tommy O'Reily and Greg Robinson, all who could have easily made this list.

Look for Westerman to get time early on and eventually develop in to an All-SEC offensive lineman.

5. CJ Johnson, LB; Mississippi

Johnson already has college size at 6'3", 230 pounds and is not a stiff by any means. It remains to be seen if he will ever be as good as Patrick Willis for the Rebels, but Johnson has the talent to be one of the better linebackers in 'Ole Miss history.

He can play all three spots, yet could fit best in the middle at MIKE in the Mississippi defense. Johnson is a very heady and smart player, evidenced by Texas' defensive coordinator, Manny Diaz, securing his pledge when Diaz was at Mississippi State.

Diaz's schemes are multiple, unique and require his MIKE linebackers to be very smart. When Diaz left for Texas, Johnson decided to decline  from MSU.

Now he looks poised to impact rival 'Ole Miss early.

4. Ray Drew, DE/OLB: Georgia

Drew is a 6'5", 245 pound specimen on the edge with all the tools to develop in to an All-American pass rusher. Georgia runs a 3-4 scheme under defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, and will kick Drew out to rush end/outside linebacker.

I expect Drew to take his lumps as he learns how to play underneath zone coverage as a linebacker and how to adjust to motions and shifts from offenses.  Third down is when I expect him to pin his ears back and do what he does best: rush the passer.

Drew will likely be allowed to put his hand down in sub-packages, which is where I expect him to make an early impact as he learns the complete Bulldog defensive system.

Expect him to cause some havoc and damage in the SEC as a true freshman as he transitions from a high school end to a college 3-4 outside linebacker.

3. Anthony Johnson, DT: LSU

6'4", 300 pounds, Johnson is nicknamed "the freak." He may be even bigger and stronger than Shariff Floyd at Florida. Johnson is strong at the point of attack and can hold up linemen, but is quick to drop his weight to anchor vs. double teams.

He can be used to clog or penetrate since he flashes snap quickness, drive and a solid motor to keep coming every play. He fights pressure well and has the power and speed to develop a stutter and move as a pass rusher.

It's always tough to ask any young player to make an impact in the trenches, especially in a talent deep SEC, but Johnson has the tools to be a rare player who indeed makes an impact as a freshman.

2. Jadeveon Clowney, DE: South Carolina

Clowney is the top overall recruit in the country and may be the best player to enter college football in years. At 6'6", 250 pounds, he has a Jupiter sized world of potential.

South Carolina is not particularly strong at the defensive end position opposite Cliff Matthews. Clowney likely will start, if not on opening day, very early in his true freshman season. At worst, Clowney will be a great situational pass rusher in his inaugural season in Columbia, but most believe he will be an every down starter.

Clowney will be a rock star with the Gamecocks.  His legend will likely start its growth in his true freshman season when he makes headway in the SEC.

1. Isaiah Crowell, RB: Georgia

I have Crowell here over Clowney for a few reasons. For starters, Crowell plays a position in running back that, again, is easier to have an immediate impact at.

Second, Crowell has practically already been assured a starting spot and the first carry of the season vs. Boise State by Georgia head coach Mark Richt. Washaun Ealey is in the dog house and not in the good graces of the UGA coaching staff.

Third, there is no denying the 5'11', 210 pounder's talent. Crowell has tree trunk legs but has game-breaking speed and quickness. He has great run instincts and vision, and is a homerun threat each time he has the ball.

An early, instant impact in the SEC is nearly guaranteed for Crowell.