Fantastic 15: Top Impact Freshmen (Not Named Terrelle Pryor) for 2008
Each season, teams are pressed into giving freshmen the chance to play right away, whether it is because of an injury, a lack of depth or because they are just that talented. In some cases, they even become immediate starters - and sometimes stars.
With that in mind, who will be this year’s Adrian Peterson, Michael Crabtree, Sam Bradford, or Herschel Walker? We already know about Terrelle Pryor, so this will be a Pryor-less list. There’s a good chance you know many of these names as well, but if there are a couple that you don’t know yet, you will soon.
1. Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
Bowers is the complete package of size, speed, strength and explosiveness. He will be a backup for the Tigers’ season opener against Alabama, but expect to see him on the field regularly.
2. Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
Much like Da’Quan Bowers, Jones, the top-rated receiver in the 2008 class, is the complete package. It’s not a surprise in the least that he’s earned a starting nod for Alabama’s opener against Bowers and Clemson, and John Parker Wilson will be looking for him early and often this year. At 6′4, Jones is a physically-imposing target, and when he makes the catch, he can turn a 5-yard catch into a 50-yard touchdown with his speed and ability to break tackles with relative ease.
3. Darrell Scott, RB, Colorado
The California native elected to make the move to the Big 12, where he’ll immediately play a key role for the Buffs. He might start as the backup to the experienced Demetrius Sumler, but he’ll get a lot of chances to impress early, and it won’t be a surprise if he’s starting before long. At 6′1, 225, Scott has the size of a bruising power back, but he has the speed to make the sting of that 225-pound freight train running you over sting all the more.
4. Marcus Forston, DT, Miami (FL)
Forston, the top-rated defensive tackle recruit in the country, will be a monster in the middle for the Hurricanes. His athletic ability can be noted by the fact that Rivals rated him as the strongest, quickest, and most athletic defensive tackle prospect in the 2008 class. Not only is the 6′2, 302 pound Forston an excellent run-stopper, he’s also a threat as a pass rusher, as shown by his totals of more than 40 sacks total in his last two prep seasons.
5. Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
Peterson, formerly known as Patrick Johnson, has terrific size for a corner at 6′1, 205, but that size comes with plenty of speed and quickness, which will translate into many a big hit. The Tigers took a hit at the corner position, and while Johnson isn’t slated to start immediately, he’ll get plenty of reps early.
6. Nigel Bradham, LB, Florida State
Bradham is a strong, hard-hitting, playmaking linebacker that will contribute immediately for the Seminoles. FSU has produced some pretty good linebackers over the years, and if Bradham lives up to his high potential, he’ll be the next in that line. Enrolling in the spring semester gave him an early jump on getting acclimated to the next level, and it will pay off early.
7. Jerrell Harris, LB, Alabama
Harris is an aggressive and athletic defender with good instincts and impressive vision. He is an excellent tackler that is not only tough against the run, but is also reliable as a pass rusher and in pass coverage. How much he plays early on remains to be seen, but he should be a key part of Alabama’s rotation at linebacker this season.
8. De’Anthony Curtis, RB, Arkansas
With more than 3,300 yards and 29 touchdowns gone from the Arkansas backfield with the losses of Darren McFadden, Felix Jones, and Peyton Hillis, there’s a big hole to fill on offense. The Razorbacks will be throwing the ball more under Bobby Petrino, but the running game will definitely be a factor, which means plenty of touches for Curtis. Michael Smith will be the starter, but Curtis should get the most carries behind him and could end up surpassing him before long. Curtis has the breakaway speed, explosiveness, and moves that we saw McFadden and Jones display many, many times over the last three seasons, and though he was bothered by a knee sprain for a little while during camp, will be ready to go from the outset.
9. A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
Green, who was ranked as the #2 receiver prospect in the ‘08 class behind Jones, will be on the field immediately for the Bulldogs, who have the star power at quarterback and running back, but not at receiver. That could change with the addition of Green, who won’t start out of the gate, but will make a big impact. The 6′4 Green has the size and the athleticism to make the tough grabs look easy, and when he gets the ball in his hands, he has the speed to leave you behind.
10. Latavius Murray, RB, UCF
Murray is the wildcard on this list. He isn’t ranked nearly as high as the rest of players on this list, but he will get his chance to play and possibly start for the Knights. He is in a similar situation as Curtis, as someone will need to replace the 2,567 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns that Kevin Smith put up last year at UCF. Murray should be that guy with three of the top four rushers gone from the Knights’ line-up. He is a big, powerful runner at 6’3” and 215 lbs, and possesses great on the field vision. His size actually got him recruited by other teams as a linebacker, but he turned them down due to his desire to remain in the backfield. Murray chose a great situation with up and coming UCF.
11. Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame
With a season-ending injury to starting TE Mike Ragone, Rudolph, the top-ranked tight end in the 2008 class, will be a starter for the Irish from the outset. He should get the opportunity to make plenty of catches in Notre Dame’s offense, and on top of that, he’s a quality blocker as well.
12. DeAndre Brown, WR, Southern Miss
Brown surprised many when he spurned the likes of LSU to stay in-state and play for Larry Fedora at Southern Miss, as the 6′6 pass-catcher from Ocean Springs was the top receiver prospect behind Jones and Green. There were questions about whether he’d qualify academically, but he’ll be on the field when the Golden Eagles play Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday, and while it’s supposed to be a rebuilding year for USM, Brown’s definitely going to bring plenty of excitement to Hattiesburg this year and for the next couple, especially considering Fedora’s pedigree when it comes to successful offenses.
13. Josh Haden, RB, Boston College
Haden, the brother of Florida sophomore cornerback Joe (a freshman All-American last season), decided to stay closer to native Maryland and play for Boston College, and it’s a decision that’s paying big dividends for both sides immediately, as Haden is slated to start in Saturday’s opener against Kent State. He’s not a big guy, but he is fast, fast, and more fast, and he’s also plenty strong as well.
14. Enrique Davis, RB, Ole Miss
Houston Nutt has to replace BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who ran for 1,137 yards last season, and one of the prime candidates is Davis, who committed to Auburn out of high school but switched his allegiance to the Rebels after a year in prep school, which saw him be the top-ranked prep school prospect. At 6 feet and 220 pounds, Davis isn’t a small fry by any means, but he packs plenty of speed into his frame. For the sake of not having to rely solely on new QB Jevan Snead, the Rebs need a ground game, and Davis could be the man to provide it.
15. Bo Levi Mitchell, QB, SMU
It says something about June Jones’ confidence in the newcomer from Houston-area power Katy that he inserts him as the starter over a two-year starter and school record-setter Justin Willis. Mitchell actually committed to Hawaii before Jones left the island to move to Dallas, and when Jones changed his plans, so did Mitchell. He wasn’t highly-recruited, but all he did in his senior season was throw for 2,451 yards, 37 touchdowns, and only four interceptions as he helped lead Katy to a 5A state championship and a perfect record. He’ll have to impress to keep the job for an extended period of time, but he certainly looks to have the tools to succeed under Jones.
Honorable Mention: RB Aundre Dean (UCLA), QB Jacory Harris/Rob Marve (Miami, FL), K Blair Walsh (Georgia), QB Riley Dodge (North Texas), RT Tyler Love (Alabama), C Mike Brewster (OSU), RB Enrique Davis (Ole Miss), DT Omar Hunter (Florida), WR Daryl Stonum (Michigan)
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