College Football 2011: 8 Freshmen Making the Most Noise Heading into the Season

With this being the opening week of the college football season, one of the hot storylines will obviously be which true freshmen will start or play a significant amount of time.

Sure there are many true freshmen performing well, but there are others that are making a ton of noise.

For this read, I'm going to give you eight true freshmen that are making a lot of noise going into this 2011 season.

Starting up now. 

Dee Hart, RB: Alabama

I know, I know, I know! Hart is out for the season. But reports have said that before he hurt his knee, Hart looked great.

He was making a lot of noise and was on track to get some touches this season. Hart also had a prime chance to factor as a return specialist.

Look for him to come back strong next season in Tuscaloosa as a redshirt freshman.

Demetrious Nicholson, CB: Virginia

Nicholson was not a DB recruit that got a lot of the national ink in 2011 recruiting, yet college coaches knew about him and wanted him.

Now, he is on track to start this weekend for Virginia in their opening game vs. William & Mary. Sure, Nicholson starting as a true freshman CB is a daunting task, yet Mike London has entrusted him with the honor.

He'll get a ton of looks his way because opposite of him is All-Everything CB Chase Minnefield. 

Georgia Trio

Isaiah Crowell, Ray Drew and Malcolm Mitchell are three prized recruits of a very good 2011 recruiting class coming into Athens. 

At some point this season, each of the trio is expected to either start or be an impact contributor. Mitchell has been slated to play WR as he is just too good with the ball in his hands.

Drew has a chance to start as a rush end/3-4 OLB, and his passion and drive have shown during camp.

Yet it's Crowell who has gotten the most hype. Some claim he could start this weekend vs. Boise State at RB.

Braxton Miller, QB: Ohio State

At worst Miller will be the No. 2 QB for the Buckeyes, but even in that scenario I have to imagine he would get a couple snaps a game. He's the future of Ohio State Buckeyes football.

Miller has been in Columbus since the winter and worked out with the team during spring drills. He has looked good, impressing with his arm strength and playmaking ability.

Even if he doesn't start the opener, I think at some point Miller will be the starting QB for Ohio State this 2011 season.

Jadeveon Clowney, DE: South Carolina

The best player to enter college football in perhaps recent memory, Clowney has looked as expected in Gamecock camp thus far. Steve Spurrier says there is a chance he could start the opening game vs. East Carolina.

With his size, speed, quickness and amazing athletic ability, Clowney has impressed everyone in Columbia and surely will be a freshman All-American.

Question is, can he make the All-SEC and All-American teams?

Marqise Lee, WR: USC

It's a bit of a shock that Lee and not George Farmer is here on this list, but all accounts from USC camp have had Lee as the second-best WR on the team to All-American candidate Robert Woods.

It's also a shock that Lee is doing so well because he has only been playing football for just a few years, and was thought to be coming to USC as a DB prospect.

Anyway you slice it, Lee has impressed the Trojan coaches so much that Lane Kiffin had wondered aloud if Lee could start for USC as a true freshman.