College Football Recruiting 2012: 8 Recruits with 'Change Everything' Potential

Everyone likes to toss around the phrase "potential." While every player has it, some players have more of it than others. It's a dangerous term, but the use of it is not going away anytime soon.

For this read, I'm just going to give you eight players I think have big time potential, in that they could really, really be difference makers. Not just stats-wise, but I'm talking having a major impact on willing their teams to victories on Saturdays in the coming years.

Here they are.

Ricardo Louis, WR

Louis is rising up many boards very quickly. He's 6'2," 200-pounds and is a big play threat from all over the field.

He plays some QB in high school, but everyone who sees him projects him to kick-out to the flanks and be a dynamic WR. Louis shows excellent play speed, solid hands, leaping ability and good RAC skills.

He's committed to Auburn.

Mario Edwards, DE

The most complete edge defender in the country, Edwards is a 6'4," 275-pound monster of a defensive end.

He has the strength to play the run, anchor, stop and stack at the point and shed blocks. Then he has the speed to chase and pressure passers all night long.

Edwards is listed as a Florida State pledge, but look out for Texas, LSU and Oklahoma.

Nelson Agholor, ATH

Nelson Agholor is regarded as perhaps the most athletic player in the country and he could end up at either WR, CB, FS or RB.

6'2," 180-pounds, Agholor has great speed, COD, quickness, agility and more. He has offers from the likes of Florida, Miami, USC, Notre Dame, Texas, Alabama, Auburn and Georgia among many, many more.

Jordan Jenkins, DE

They call him "The Freak." Yes, because Jenkins is freakishly gifted as an athlete, and I expect big things from the 6'3," 250-pounder.

He's so athletic that he could be a DPR-type guy for a defense as a true freshman. As he gains more strength to anchor versus blockers on the edge or set the edge as a standup 3-4 OLB, he should be an All-SEC-caliber player wherever he goes.

Freakish athletic ability + size + college coaching = great player. Alabama, Florida and Georgia are in the race.

Dorial Green-Beckham, WR

I think everyone would say a 6'6," 220-pound WR with 4.3 40-yard dash speed, natural receiving skills, length, quick feet, explosiveness, leaping ability, competitiveness, a large strike zone and catch-in-crowd ability as a high schooler has upside.

Green-Beckham has that and more.

I fully expect him to become a No. 1 receiver for his college offense by his sophomore year, and he could be a three-and-out player.  Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas are schools to mention.

Rushel Shell, RB

Shell, a Pitt pledge, is a 5'11," 215-pound RB that not only has a solid, thick frame, but he also possesses great speed. He's a big back, but can also break off long runs.

He shows quick feet, a willingness to bang inside between the tackles and a burst to and through holes to get to the second level, while also possessing great quickness and jump-cutting ability to get to the edges.

Shell will be a multi-year starter in college and due to his size, run strength, instincts and great speed, I think he can get a good share of carries as a freshman.

Stefon Diggs, WR/RB/DB/RS

Diggs is a versatile player at 6'0," 190 pounds. He plays some WR, some RB, some defensive back and is a great return man, but many project him as a WR in college.

Diggs is dangerous with the football in his hands, and while he may not time well speed-wise, on game day he's among the most explosive players on the field. He has a little Sammy Watkins to his game with good quickness, and he's an excellent RAC player.

Florida, Maryland, Cal, Florida State, Auburn and Miami are just a few to name in the hunt for Diggs.

Keith Marshall, RB

When you have 4.32 speed, then chances are you are going to be on a lot of lists. Marshall is a terror to defenses because he's a prime-time home-run threat with the ball.

The 5'11," 190-pounder has great breakaway speed, explosiveness, quickness and elusiveness. I liken him to LeSean McCoy and feel he should be able to step in right away as a true freshman and make some dazzling plays.

That could be at Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Notre Dame or a few other schools. We'll know by December.