College Football Recruiting 2012: 5 Classes That Will Have Huge Immediate Impact

In recruiting, we all know that it takes really about three years to fully see what you get out of your recruiting class. Some do it in two, but it seems like about three years is when we can rightfully assess the impact that a class has on a program.

However, sometimes we get a class or two that impacts a program immediately during its first year. It's rare, don't get me wrong, but it can happen.

Here are five classes that maybe, just maybe, will have an immediate impact.

5. Auburn

The Tigers feature many young players on their roster, so it may be tough for some of their 2012 recruits to make an immediate impact at their positions. Yet there are a few that may be able to crack the two-deep fairly soon.

WR Ricardo Louis is a raw 6'2", 200-pound WR, but his athleticism should get him on the field as a true freshman. Philip Lutzenkirchen won't be around forever, so either Ricky Parks or Darion Hutcherson should make an impact early.

T.J. Yeldon could prove to be another hat in the backfield ring for the RB core due to his breakaway speed, and OL Shane Callahan, DE Tyler Nero and LB Cassanova McKinzy are all talented enough to see early time. 

4. Notre Dame

The Irish are not against playing young players, and there are a few in this class who can impact early.

First, it starts with CB/ATH Ronald Darby. Is it me, or don't you think that Brian Kelly may just put him on offense because of his speed and playmaking ability?

WR Deontay Greenberry told me personally that the Irish coaches feel he's the next Michael Floyd, and that could start sooner than we think. DT Sheldon Day's explosiveness and snap quickness could make him a solid nickel package, interior rusher early.

RB William Mahone is another player that could factor early in South Bend, as well as DB Tee Shepard.

3. Florida

The Gators are said to be talking early carries for RB Keith Marshall, but he's not committed. However, a few of their pledges have some immediate-impact skills.

CB Brian Poole looks like a future All-SEC CB and could be another coming of Marcus Roberson. I know the Gator back end is loaded with talent, but Poole looks like a prime-timer.

TE Kent Taylor's 6'5" frame, speed, versatility and athleticism should prove to be too much for Charlie Weis to redshirt; add TE Colin Thompson to that as well.

Even if UF doesn't get Marshall, RBs Matt Jones and Mike Davis have powerful and shifty, respectively, skill sets so they could get some early time. OL D.J. Humphries' impact depends on his weight gain as he's just 270 pounds right now.

2. Texas

Really, just by sheer will alone, Texas' class should be able to impact somewhere as freshmen, mainly because the Longhorns' class just has so much talent.

I know Malcolm Brown is lead dog as UT RB, but Johnathan Gray is a stud as well. Why not make them a tandem to keep each rock toter fresh?

WR Cayleb Jones, WR Thomas Johnson, OG Curtis Riser, CB Bryson Echols and LB Peter Jinkens are just a few names to mention that could crack the two-deep next year.

1. Michigan

I have Big Blue tops here based on their defensive class and the fact that they still need more defensive help and depth. DT Ondre Pipkins' 6'3", 320-pound space-eating frame should get him on the field alone.

CB Terry Richardson should be able to play some as a nickel or a dime back as a freshman. Then you get to DEs Chris Wormley, Tom Strobel and Mario Ojemudia and figure one of them should be able to see the field.

But really, it's the LBs—James Ross, Kaleb Ringer, Joe Bolden and Royce Jenkins-Stone. By numbers, two of them could crack the two-deep, and they could all play special teams next year.

OT Kyle Kalis is good enough to win a backup job as a true freshman, if not start.