College Football Recruiting 2012: 10 Guys Who Will Start as Freshmen Anywhere

Playing as a true freshman is always the aim of every recruit who signs a LOI each February. The competitive spirit always tells a player they can and should play early, and sometimes weighs as a heavy factor in a recruit's decision.

Starting as a true freshman is a completely different animal though. Being on the first team and holding down a position fresh out of high school takes a rare combination of talent, size, speed and play strength to hold up against older and likely bigger players.

Yet, it can be done and does take place each fall with a very select few of true freshmen. Here are 10 recruits whom I've studied on film and feel they have a chance to start as true freshmen.

10. Rushel Shell, RB

Shell is a solidly-built RB prospect at 5'11" and 215 pounds. I estimate his speed is in the 4.5 range, and he shows the ceiling, skill set and potential to be an every down rock-toter in college.

RB is always the easiest position to impact as a young player on any level, and Shell shows he has solid quickness, nimble feet and good run instincts to carry the load as a true freshman. 

He has solid breakaway speed, above average wiggle and the elusiveness to make an impact on his chosen program early in his initial season.

9. Darius Hamilton, DE

At 6'4" and 245 pounds, Hamilton shows he has the strength and athleticism to start on the edge as a true freshman. He's so strong at the point of attack that some say he may grow into a defensive tackle down the road in college.

Hamilton shows the ability to set the edge in the run game, anchor against TE's and OT's, shed and make the stop. He's also athletic enough to pursue and chase away from him, plus he has all the needed pass-rush tools to be a high level starter as a freshman.

8. Eddie Goldman, DT

At 6'4" and 305 pounds, Goldman, to me, has a chance to step foot on campus early and be a two-down DT. He's stout against the run, anchors well and makes a mess on the interior due to great strength, power and force.

On tape, Goldman displays a quick recognition of double-teams, snap quickness and the ability to get skinny to penetrate gaps.

He has some short area chase ability and may be better suited for the NT/0-technique than the DT/3-technique spot, but Goldman should be a great player. 

7. Quay Evans, DT

Another DT; the OL and DL class for 2012 is probably the best in quality in years. 

Evans is a 6'2", 320-pound beast. He's extremely strong and powerful on his feet, and explodes at the snap. He displays shock value at the point of attack, and if he wins the hand placement battle with an OG, it's over.

He can walk blockers back in to the passer, has the strength to toss and shed, and some quickness to close and finish on ball-carriers. Evans can start, and start early as a freshman.

6. Dorial Green-Beckham, WR

DGB is the top recruit on my board, but I have him here at No. 6 simply because it's always tougher for receivers to impact early.

But when you're 6'6" and 220 pounds with 4.4 speed, long arms, a huge strike zone, separation quickness, build-up speed and strength to release against press-man coverage, you can play early.

Green-Beckham is on the same level as Kyle Prater was coming out of high school a few years ago.

5. Mario Edwards, DE

Edwards is the most complete DE in the country on my board, standing at 6'4" and weighing in the 260-270 range.

He is very strong to set the edge and athletic enough to rush the passer. While I don't think he's in Jadeveon Clowney's class just yet, he's a prime recruit in his own right.

Edwards can fire of the ball, quickly read run or pass, bend around a blocker and close on the passer in the pocket. He can also anchor against the run, stall a blocker, shed with strength and stop a ball-carrier in his tracks. 

4. Reggie Ragland, LB

The only concern I have on Ragland is his lateral quickness; he has to gather to change direction. Otherwise, the 6'4", 245-pounder is a missile at LB. 

Ragland plays pretty instinctively to his size at the point of attack and explodes upon contact. He has solid straightline speed and is quick to fill alleys to challenge ball-carriers at the line of scrimmage.

His athleticism level, size and skill set make him an ideal candidate as a 3-4 ILB.

He's committed to Alabama, and I highly doubt he'll actually start as a true freshman in Nick Saban's specific scheme, but at any other program, Ragland has true freshman starting size and talent.

3. Ellis McCarthy, DT

At 6'5" and 311 pounds, McCarthy looks like a college player now. He's a big man, but his body type shows very little excess baby fat, as opposed to a Jordan Simmons. 

McCarthy is a very good athlete for his size and shows great strength. At times he loses leverage at the point of attack because he plays too high, but with coaching, he should be able to overcome this flaw.

He can explode off the ball, blow by blockers with quickness or bull rush inside and walk them back. He also shows the ability to scrape down the line and pursue ball-carriers against the run. 

2. John Gray, RB

At 5'11" and 195 pounds, Gray is a complete running back. He grades out at above average or higher in every major and critical position factors for which I grade RB's.

Gray shows great instincts, front seven alignment knowledge, understanding of his OL's blocking assignments, understanding of how to execute a play,—be it attack downhill or showing pre-line of scrimmage patience—great vision and anticipation.

Gray should be able to make an early impact at Texas.

1. Stefon Diggs, WR/RB/RS

The more I watch of Diggs, the more I love him. He reminds me of USC receiver Robert Woods, and I think he can have that type of impact as a true freshman.

At 6'0" and 190 pounds, some even claim Diggs can be an elite safety as well. He's dynamic with the football, playing receiver, running back and return man for his high school squad, along with defensive back.

He's extremely sudden off the ball, has great hands and is the best RAC player in the country. Diggs is a prime time home run threat and will be a multiple use offensive weapon in college.