Who will be the top impact freshmen?
by Justin Hokanson/Bleacher Report, Special to FOXSports.com
Here's a list of the top 10 freshmen who could make big impacts with their teams this year. Not only does this list take talent into account, but also teams' depth charts.
10. Enrique Davis, RB, Ole Miss
Davis is a stud running back originally from Florida who signed with Auburn out of high school. He went to Hargrave Academy in Virginia for a year. When the Tigers switched to the spread offense, Davis decided to go somewhere else. He landed with Houston Nutt and Ole Miss, and he is sure to make an immediate impact with the Rebels.
9. A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
A.J. Green was one of the top receivers in the nation and has great size. With loss of Sean Bailey, the Bulldogs are looking for big-time playmakers to go along with Mohamed Massaquoi at wideout. Green has a chance to be a difference-maker on a championship contender.
8. Marcus Fortson, DL, Miami
Fortson was maybe the best DL in the nation last year, coming out of Northwestern High School in Miami. The Hurricanes are looking for a resurgence, and it all starts in the trenches. This dominant player racked up 21 sacks last year as a senior.
7. Omar Hunter, DL, Florida
If there's one position where the Gators are lacking big-time talent, it's at the defensive tackle position. They have been a bit thin there, but Hunter has a chance to provide the Gators with a big-time tackle who can play the nose in a 3-4 or tackle in a 4-3.
6. Daquan Bowers, DE, Clemson
Clemson has a need at defensive end, and Bowers was the best end in the nation last year. He will provide instant help and has a chance to come in and start. He was dominant last year with 15 sacks and over 30 tackles for a loss.
5. DeAndre Brown, WR, Southern Miss
When was the last time Southern Miss could say they had a nationally known impact player? Well, the Golden Eagles landed the second-best receiver in the nation last year from right there in Mississippi. This 6-foot-6 receiver has a chance to make some plays and take some pressure off of Damion Fletcher and the running game. Brown not only had over 700 yards receiving, but also over 1,000 yards rushing his senior year in high school.
4. Tyrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio State
While Pryor might have been the best player in the nation last year, he isn't at the top of this list. He will be a backup to Todd Boeckman, but look for the Buckeyes to be able to use Pryor the same way the Gators used Tim Tebow in their title run. He should add some extra versatility to the Buckeye offense this year. Pryor had over 4,000 rushing yards and 4,000 passing yards in his high school career.
3. Darrell Scott, RB, Colorado
This might have been the most curious commitment from last year's class, with Scott heading to Boulder. Scott is a stud at 6-foot and 205 pounds. He was the nation's top back last year, rushing for almost 1,700 yards and 21 touchdowns. No doubt he will instantly be a playmaker on that Colorado offense and he could start from Day 1.
2. Patrick Johnson, CB, LSU
LSU pulled off a huge surprise when it took Johnson out of Florida, away from the likes of Miami, Florida, USC and Florida State. Johnson was the top corner in the nation last year and has great size at 6-foot-1 and almost 200 pounds. With LSU losing their top two corners from last year, Johnson provides immediate help at a position of need for the Tigers and should be playing and contributing from the first game.
1. Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
Maybe the nation's top recruit from last year, Jones has big-time talent and should be able to come in and play right away at a position where Alabama needs playmakers after losing its top three receivers from last year. He will be on the field from Day 1 and has a chance to start right away, as well. Almost 25 percent of Jones' catches last year went for touchdowns.
