College Football 2011: The Top True Freshmen We're Excited to See in Spring

Every year in the recruiting cycle, we get word that a few prospects have actually opted to enroll early and participate in spring classes and practices. This is a crucial step in development of a player as it can really give a true freshman an inside track to seeing the field early in the fall.

The freshman gets a chance to see what college life is all about, get adjusted and get some work in during the three-week spring practice period.

In most cases, by the time summer and fall camp rolls around, the true freshman already feels like a sophomore as he has adjusted and gotten used to college life. With the 2011 class, we have a couple players that we are just dying to see in spring ball.

Let's take a look at the top true freshmen taking part in spring ball for their schools.

Brandon Williams, RB: Oklahoma

Williams heads to Norman with one goal in mind: to start and replace the departed DeMarco Murray. Murray was a dynamic player for the Sooners as a runner and receiver and will be missed, but Williams feels he's up to the task.

At 6'1", 190 pounds Williams has home-run ability and a frame that will only get bigger and stronger. He has a burst to and through holes that should dazzle the Sooner faithful and should be in line to get a hefty amount of carries this fall.

Bob Stoops' team has BCS title hopes this year and could open as the No.1 ranked squad in the country. Williams could be a big part of the title run and it starts this spring.

Aaron Lynch, DE: Notre Dame

Lynch is a big defensive end prospect at 6'5", 260 pounds that combines quickness and athleticism. I really like the fact that he's enrolled early in South Bend as he will need to learn the nuances of the Irish 3-4 scheme as he moves to play 30 front end from playing strong-side end in a 40 front in high school.

He's expected to see time early as the adjustment to the end role Lynch will be asked to play is semi-similar to a natural 40 front-end role. Yet there are some tweaks and nuances he must learn, aside from digesting the overall Irish scheme.

Lynch also needs to hit the weight room as he lacks dominant upper-body strength to shed and escape blocks consistently. Nevertheless, seeing Lynch early in the spring will surley have us excited for his chances to see time in the fall.

Dee Hart, RB: Alabama

Hart put on a show at the Army game, averaging nearly seven yards a pop against some of the nation's top defensive talent from around the country. He's a jitterbug type of scat back at 5'8", 190 pounds, and is already at Alabama.

Hart, a former Michigan pledge, will try to tandem with Trent Richardson as Richardson moves into a full-time Batman role for the Tide. Hart can be used and sprayed all over the field as a runner and receiver and also factor in the return game.

As Alabama looks to sort its QB situation out through the spring, look for Hart to entrench himself as a player to be relied on in the fall as a true freshman in Tuscaloosa.

Anthony Johnson, DT: LSU

Johnson really gets me fired up to see in the spring, as the 6'4", 300-pound defensive tackle is a monster that also can move like a rabbit.

He combines great size, bulk and strength with great quickness off the ball. Drake Nevis has left the Bayou and the starting DT spot is ripe for Johnson's plucking. Nicknamed "Freak," Johnson has the talent to become an instant force and routinely make messes in the middle.

LSU plays in the toughest conference in college football, where defensive line play has been called the key element to success by SEC coaches. They need Johnson to come on strong early in hopes of winning the SEC and making a BCS title run.

Ishaq Williams, DE: Notre Dame

Williams is a 6'6", 230-pound defensive end that will make the move and transition to stand-up outside linebacker/rush end in Notre Dame's 3-4 scheme. Getting in early for spring ball will surely make the learning curve a bit easier, as now Williams must know how to adjust to formation shifts, motions and proper run fits.

Yet, I fully believe Wlliams is up to the task and could be in line to see a great deal of snaps in the fall, as former Irish defender Kerry Neal is gone. So a starting role is up for grabs and Williams certainly has the talent to play as a true freshman.

This is an important time for Williams, as he must not lose confidence if he struggles in the early part of the transition. Once he gets the overall scheme, look for Williams to flourish in this new role.

Braxton Miller, QB: Ohio State

Miller will duel with Joe Bauserman for the right to start for the first five games of the Buckeyes' 2011 season, as Terrelle Pryor serves his five-game suspension.

Already a legend around the state, Miller has been compared to Troy Smith, Pat White and Donovan McNabb, as the 6'2", 190-pound quarterback can do it all. Supremely talented, Miller can get his feet wet this spring and prepare to battle in fall camp, win the job and get experience as the "dude" in Columbus, before taking the reins permanently in 2012.

He's already a fan favorite and hasn't even taken a real snap yet for Ohio State. It will be fun to really see what the hype is all about.

Jeff Driskel, QB: Florida

I had Driskel a the top QB prospect on my board for the 2011 class, and not just I but everyone around college football expects big things from him before he leaves Gainesville.

A quarterback enrolling early for spring is always a good thing, as there is much to learn about operating a college offense. Yet Driskel coming in early is even more accented because of Charlie Weis' arrival as the Gator offensive chief.

Florida wants to give John Brantley one last chance to win the job and live up to he hype he himself had coming in, but if Driskel shows promise and Brantley continues to play only so-so, then Driskel could win the job.

The Gators are in, shhh, "rebuilding" mode, and if getting Driskel's feet wet early by starting him as a true freshman is best for the program moving forward, look for him to claim the starting nod.