injury, suspension or a general weakness can open the door for a young player to step in and make an immediate impact for their college football team. A lot can change between now and the start of the season but we have taken the time to consider talent in addition to the factors we listed above in order to project who the top first-year players in the country will be. Here is a look at our best bets to make the freshman All American team.
QB: Jacob Eason, Georgia
Eason enrolled early at Georgia and immediately became their best option at the quarterback position. The five-star prospect completed 19 passes for 244 yards and one touchdown in the team’s spring game and the coaching staff raved about how impressive he has looked this offseason. Head coach Kirby Smart hasn’t named his starter but Eason is the obvious favorite and it would definitely be a surprise if he didn’t open the year as the No. 1 quarterback for the Bulldogs. An improved offense and a relatively mediocre schedule should help as Eason shines in his freshman season.
RB: Mike Weber, Ohio State
Ezekiel Elliott’s departure to the NFL left a major void for the Buckeyes offense but they have some considerable talent ready to step in and replace him with Weber a sleeper pick to play a starring role at Ohio State. Weber racked up an amazing 5,627 yards and 74 touchdowns in his last three years of high school and his elite combination of size, speed and elusiveness makes him a strong pick to step in for Elliott and produce at an elite level this season.
WR: Demetris Robinson, Cal
The top-rated receiver in this year’s class opted to bolster Cal’s impressive receiver core and will step in with the opportunity to make an immediate impact. The Golden Bears added Texas Tech graduate transfer Davis Webb with the disre to continue to sling the football around and that should help ensure that Robinson puts up impressive numbers at Cal in his freshman season.
TE: Issac Nauta, Georgia
Nauta’s arrival at Georgia corresponds with the addition of Eason and the potential is there for that tandem to put up impressive numbers in their first year together. The No. 1 tight end in the 2016 class has the potential to put up elite numbers under offensive coordinator Jim Chaney and it will be very interesting to see how many touches he gets with the opportunity to overtake Jeb Blazevich as Georgia’s No. 1 tight end.
OT: Greg Little, Ole Miss
The Rebels are banking on Little to replace one of the top left tackles in the entire country in Laremy Tunsil and while those will be big shoes to fill he certainly has the size, talent and raw intangibles to do the job. All five offensive starters from a year ago have departed so Little’s impact will be that much more magnified at Ole Miss this season.
OG: Michael Jordan, Ohio State
Ohio State will replace three starts on its offensive line including at left guard where the freshman Jordan will step in. Jordan actually graduated high school early so his insertion in to an immediate starting role will be a very intriguing storyline to follow this season.
C: Zach Shackelford, Texas
Shackelford enrolled early at Texas and quickly climbed to the top of the depth chart. He has all of the measurable to hold down the starting job as the Longhorns lean heavily on several freshman players on the offensive side of the football this season.
DE: Nick Bosa, Ohio State
The Buckeyes lost nine underclassmen to the NFL Draft so they have plenty of positions to fill with young players on both sides of the football. The defensive end position will be important as Bosa steps in to replace his brother Joey Bosa, who graduated to the NFL as the third-overall pick. Bosa has the potential to put up big numbers as a five-star prospect and we fully expect him to make an immediate impact as a pass rusher.
DT: Ed Oliver, Houston
Oliver can play both end and tackle for Houston but the top-rated prospect will line up on the inside for Houston. The fact that he will play in a non-power conference should help his overall numbers as he produces at an extremely high level out of the gate as a freshman this season.
LB: Ricky DeBerry, Oklahoma
The Sooners lost Eric Striker and Devante Bond on the outside but they have an intriguing replacement to provide some help for their pass rush coming off the edge in DeBerry. The prized prospect sat out a year to develop his overall skill set and he should produce at a high level as a redshirt freshman this season.
CB: Levonta Taylor, Florida State
Taylor is next in line on a long list of prized cornerback prospects at Florida State as he steps in immediately as a starter for the Seminoles. Some considerable depth at the position could lead to FSU moving Taylor inside to guard the slot receiver position and there is no doubt he is ready for the spotlight.
S: Deionte Thompson, Alabama
Thompson is another redshirt freshman that will have the opportunity to play a starring role this season at Alabama where he will step in to a starting role. Thompson showcased his skill set with a pair of interceptions in the spring game and the Crimson Tide will lean on him as a playmaker in their defensive secondary this season.
