College Football 2011: 10 Biggest Impact Freshmen Ready to Lift Teams to BCS

Freshman athletes are being counted on more and more in college football.  Having a freshman dominate in the sport is nothing new. 

The talent level of these kids continue to grow, and ever year, we see a true freshman have a great impact on his team. 

In 2010, we saw Marcus Lattimore run wild for the South Carolina Gamecocks, and he helped them win the SEC East for the first time in school history. 

Who are 2011's freshmen to watch? Will any of them carry their team week after week? 

Here are 10 incoming freshmen to keep an eye on this season.  

10.Anthony Johnson, DT, LSU Tigers

Johnson was given the nickname "Freak" by Monte Kiffin a few years back, and it is a perfect fit for the 6'3", 295-pound defensive tackle. 

He'll be a freshman for the LSU Tigers, and he is sure to turn heads this season. He ran a 4.8 in high school when he was over 300 pounds. 

Johnson is drawing comparisons to Glenn Dorsey, which is great, but he is more agile and much faster than Dorsey.

Expect the "freak" to see the field a lot in 2011 and do big things, especially since the Tigers will greatly miss defensive tackle Drake Nevis.  

9. Braxton Miller, QB, Ohio State

Braxton Miller may not be the starter right now for the Ohio State Buckeyes, but he is going to get some snaps in the early portion of the season, and he will shine. 

The current starter for the Buckeyes is senior Joe Bauserman, but he could easily be beaten out by the dual threat Miller. The freshman enrolled early for the Buckeyes, and it has greatly helped his progression. 

The Buckeyes have the talent to surround Miller and make him feel comfortable, and their best bet is to throw him out there and let him gain experience because he will be the starter for the next few years. 

8. Kiehl Frazier, QB, Auburn

Frazier still has to win the job at Auburn, but the early indications are that he is very talented and it is making head coach Gene Chizik's job very difficult. Chizik says there is no separation between those competing for the job, but know that Frazier is a heavy contender.  

The 6'3", 215 pound freshman quarterback is drawing comparisons to Cam Newton, mainly because he should be the next starting quarterback for the Tigers.

If he does start, Frazier was a solid run game to support him, and he will use his arm and feet to make plays in 2011. The defending champs won't be down in the dumps with Frazier leading the way because of his mobility, which will help his lack of experience.   

7. Brandon Williams, RB, Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Sooners will have a hard time replacing DeMarco Murray, but they can feel good knowing their depth at running back is strong. 

They may lack experience, but they do have a lot of talent. Brandon Williams is one of those running backs, and the freshman is sure to excite Sooner fans. 

Head coach Bob Stoops has made it clear he will have a platoon in the early portion of the season, but in order for the Sooners to succeed, one of them has to emerge as a true force. 

Williams is 6'0", 190 pounds, and he has the skills to earn the starting role. He is explosive and will be carrying the ball a lot in the 2011 season. 

6. Aaron Lynch, DE, Notre Dame

Aaron Lynch will see the field often in 2011 because the Fighting Irish desperately need defensive help. 

Notre Dame has to get after the quarterback much more in 2011, and with Lynch on the field, they will achieve this. He was one of the top recruits in the country, and he will no disappoint for Notre Dame.  

The 6'6", 260 pound defensive end will help improve the Fighting Irish's pass rush, and you won't see them ranked among the worst in sacks, tackles for loss and quarterback pressure as long as Lynch is around. 

5. Ray Drew, DE, Georgia

The Georgia Bulldogs had a bleak defense in 2010, but the expectations for the 2011 season are much better. They enter their second year in the 3-4 defense, and they have added new pieces that will prosper. 

One of those new additions is defensive end Ray Drew, and he has a chance to make a ton of big plays for the Bulldogs defense. The departure of Justin Houston means the Bulldogs need someone to get after the quarterback, and Drew excels in that area. 

He injured his right shoulder during a scooter accident on Sunday, but Georgia says he is OK and is just day-to-day at the moment. Thankfully, he didn't suffer any major injuries, and he will be back on the field before you know it. 

4. George Farmer, WR, USC

A year ago, we saw Robert Woods do wonders for the USC Trojans, and in 2011, we'll see another freshman wide receiver have an impact on the Trojan offense. 

Matt Barkley is going to love having a strong No. 2 receiver in George Farmer. The 6'2", 205-pound receiver has electrifying speed and superb hands.

Defenders will have their hands full trying to stop the talented Trojans receiving core, and because they know they have to shut down Woods, it will give Farmer more options to get the ball in his hands, where he can do dangerous things.  

3. Malcolm Brown, RB, Texas

The Texas Longhorns haven't had a great running back in a while, but they feel like they have a winner with Malcolm Brown. 

A top recruit in the class of 2011, Brown will have a lot of pressure placed on him at Texas, but he has the talent to deliver. 

The 6'0", 215-pound freshman is a speedy bruiser, which means he'll be in the secondary quite often in 2011 season. The Longhorns need him to be great, or else they'll have another down year. 

2. Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina

The No. 1 recruit in the nation will see the field quite a bit for the South Carolina, even though the Gamecocks already have proven talent at the defensive end position. 

You cannot deny Jadeveon Clowney a chance at terrorizing opposing teams. The 6'6", 250 pound defender is too talented to wait in the wings his freshman season. 

He may not start for the Gamecocks, but he will make big plays and be a difference maker on the field because he is of hard to block. 

1. Isaiah Crowell, RB, Georgia

No other freshman player will be counted on more than Isaiah Crowell of the Georgia Bulldogs. When he committed, it was expected that he would see the field some because of his playmaking ability. 

Now that the Bulldogs have lost their top two running backs from 2010, Crowell will have to carry the load in the 2011 season. 

There is so much pressure on the 5'11", 210 pound freshman, but his talent will help him thrive in 2011. He continues to learn as each practice goes on, and is willing to do whatever it takes to help Georgia win. The Bulldogs need him to have Marcus Lattimore type season, or else they will be in big trouble. 

Without a run game, it will be hard for the Bulldogs to find success in 2011. There are some worries because Crowell hasn't had a chance to prove himself, but the talent is there, and he will come through. 

Crowell gets a chance to make a name for himself on national television in Week 1 when the Bulldogs battle Boise State. He'll either come up short or blow everyone's mind. I'll take the latter on that one, please and thank you.