Lucky_Lefty
Dreams Are Colder Than Death...
another idiotic ESPN insider article (players who could affect the CFB Playoff, YET half the list is still in HS for another year)
With the college football season just 24 days away, there is little doubt that several recruits from the Class of 2015 will make significant impacts on teams and help decide which four make the College Football Playoff.
Here are five from the 2015 class who could do that very thing:
Canton Kaumatule, DE
Oregon solved its huge quarterback question with Vernon Adams coming to Eugene for the 2015 season. On the defensive line, former five-star Kaumatule’s difference-making will be critical for the Ducks if they want to again challenge for the Pac-12 title -- and thus a spot in the College Football Playoff -- considering that Arik Armstead is now in the NFL and Sam Kamp also has departed.
Mike Freeze, LB
The former three-star linebacker made headlines at TCU as an early enrollee, ending the spring listed as a starter on the depth chart after Paul Dawson and Marcus Mallett graduated. Freeze's ability to continue his impressive early play will have a large say in the Big 12 race, with a potential playoff berth on the line. Linebacker is the major question mark for the Horned Frogs in 2015.
Tony Bridges, CB
The Ole Miss corner was a huge recruit in the SEC because he can be an impact player out of the junior college ranks. Not only is Bridges expected to offset the loss of Senquez Golson for the Rebels, but Ole Miss punctured SEC West foe Auburn when Bridges flipped. Auburn’s big question headed into the 2015 season is in the secondary, and Bridges would have been a starter from day one. Bridges’ play this season could affect the SEC West race and who has a chance to win the conference and appear in the playoff.
Christian Wilkins, DT
The Clemson freshman is expected to have a spot in the rotation, but the Tigers need Wilkins to be a difference-maker if they are to challenge for the ACC title given the significant losses on the front four.
Byron Cowart, DE
Defensive lines often dominate the SEC, and for Auburn, there is a need for newcomers to make an impact. Enter the nation's top-ranked prospect in the 2015 class. Although Cowart might not start a game for the Tigers this season, having a solid rotation with backups capable of playing starter reps should injuries occur is a must for Auburn to compete for the SEC crown and play its way into the playoff.
Now that we have taken a look at five recruits from the Class of 2015 who could affect the playoffs this season, let’s spin it forward and take a look at a handful of prospects in the Class of 2016 who could do the same next season.
Nick Bosa, DE
ESPN 300 ranking: No. 3 overall
This one is simple. Bosa is committed to Ohio State and is both technically and physically ready for college right now. Add in that big brother Joey Bosa is a lock to enter the 2016 NFL draft, and there will be a huge opportunity for the younger Bosa to step in and be a difference-maker for the Buckeyes in the Big Ten and playoff races.
Rashan Gary, DE
ESPN 300 ranking: No. 1
The nation’s top-ranked prospect will hit the field running in 2016; that is a virtual lock. Where he does that is the big question, and the answer will affect a number of teams and two conferences. Should Gary pick LSU, Georgia, Auburn or Alabama, his instant-impact ability would provide a strong punch for one team and hurt the competition, affecting the SEC balance of power. Should Gary stay up north and go to Michigan, he could help the Wolverines rise quicker than expected, and such a move would keep him away from the uber-talented Ohio State Buckeyes.
Tavien Feaster, RB
ESPN 300 ranking: No. 34
While it could be considered a stretch to put a running back on the list, Feaster is committed to Clemson. When one looks at the Tigers in 2016, coach Dabo Swinney will have one of the nation’s top quarterbacks in Deshaun Watson, an offensive line with a year of growth and a talented set of receivers a year older. While Clemson has backs on campus, none is as dynamic as Feaster. Feaster runs 100 meters in 10.5 seconds and is a terrific receiving threat out of the backfield. Feaster could be the missing piece in an ACC title and College Football Playoff run.
Greg Little, OT
ESPN 300 ranking: No. 2
The former Texas A&M commitment’s recruiting remains in the balance. As of now, it looks like Ole Miss and Alabama have the best shot to ink the five-star tackle. Should Little head to Oxford, there will be ample opportunity to make an impact in Year 1 with junior Laremy Tunsil likely to head to the NFL after this season. And either Ole Miss or Alabama will miss out, which could directly affect the SEC West race because Little is an impact player at a premium position.
Levonta Taylor, CB
ESPN 300 ranking: No. 6
Much is expected of the Florida State commit. Most of that is due to his talents as a corner and return man, but a portion of what is expected has to do with the likelihood that Jalen Ramsey will enter the NFL draft after the season, and the future of the position is in question. Taylor is the type of talent who could ease concerns and be a difference-maker for the Seminoles from jump street, which could directly affect the ACC race and playoff hopes in 2016.
Here are five from the 2015 class who could do that very thing:
Canton Kaumatule, DE
Oregon solved its huge quarterback question with Vernon Adams coming to Eugene for the 2015 season. On the defensive line, former five-star Kaumatule’s difference-making will be critical for the Ducks if they want to again challenge for the Pac-12 title -- and thus a spot in the College Football Playoff -- considering that Arik Armstead is now in the NFL and Sam Kamp also has departed.
Mike Freeze, LB
The former three-star linebacker made headlines at TCU as an early enrollee, ending the spring listed as a starter on the depth chart after Paul Dawson and Marcus Mallett graduated. Freeze's ability to continue his impressive early play will have a large say in the Big 12 race, with a potential playoff berth on the line. Linebacker is the major question mark for the Horned Frogs in 2015.
Tony Bridges, CB
The Ole Miss corner was a huge recruit in the SEC because he can be an impact player out of the junior college ranks. Not only is Bridges expected to offset the loss of Senquez Golson for the Rebels, but Ole Miss punctured SEC West foe Auburn when Bridges flipped. Auburn’s big question headed into the 2015 season is in the secondary, and Bridges would have been a starter from day one. Bridges’ play this season could affect the SEC West race and who has a chance to win the conference and appear in the playoff.
Christian Wilkins, DT
The Clemson freshman is expected to have a spot in the rotation, but the Tigers need Wilkins to be a difference-maker if they are to challenge for the ACC title given the significant losses on the front four.
Byron Cowart, DE
Defensive lines often dominate the SEC, and for Auburn, there is a need for newcomers to make an impact. Enter the nation's top-ranked prospect in the 2015 class. Although Cowart might not start a game for the Tigers this season, having a solid rotation with backups capable of playing starter reps should injuries occur is a must for Auburn to compete for the SEC crown and play its way into the playoff.
Now that we have taken a look at five recruits from the Class of 2015 who could affect the playoffs this season, let’s spin it forward and take a look at a handful of prospects in the Class of 2016 who could do the same next season.
Nick Bosa, DE
ESPN 300 ranking: No. 3 overall
This one is simple. Bosa is committed to Ohio State and is both technically and physically ready for college right now. Add in that big brother Joey Bosa is a lock to enter the 2016 NFL draft, and there will be a huge opportunity for the younger Bosa to step in and be a difference-maker for the Buckeyes in the Big Ten and playoff races.
Rashan Gary, DE
ESPN 300 ranking: No. 1
The nation’s top-ranked prospect will hit the field running in 2016; that is a virtual lock. Where he does that is the big question, and the answer will affect a number of teams and two conferences. Should Gary pick LSU, Georgia, Auburn or Alabama, his instant-impact ability would provide a strong punch for one team and hurt the competition, affecting the SEC balance of power. Should Gary stay up north and go to Michigan, he could help the Wolverines rise quicker than expected, and such a move would keep him away from the uber-talented Ohio State Buckeyes.
Tavien Feaster, RB
ESPN 300 ranking: No. 34
While it could be considered a stretch to put a running back on the list, Feaster is committed to Clemson. When one looks at the Tigers in 2016, coach Dabo Swinney will have one of the nation’s top quarterbacks in Deshaun Watson, an offensive line with a year of growth and a talented set of receivers a year older. While Clemson has backs on campus, none is as dynamic as Feaster. Feaster runs 100 meters in 10.5 seconds and is a terrific receiving threat out of the backfield. Feaster could be the missing piece in an ACC title and College Football Playoff run.
Greg Little, OT
ESPN 300 ranking: No. 2
The former Texas A&M commitment’s recruiting remains in the balance. As of now, it looks like Ole Miss and Alabama have the best shot to ink the five-star tackle. Should Little head to Oxford, there will be ample opportunity to make an impact in Year 1 with junior Laremy Tunsil likely to head to the NFL after this season. And either Ole Miss or Alabama will miss out, which could directly affect the SEC West race because Little is an impact player at a premium position.
Levonta Taylor, CB
ESPN 300 ranking: No. 6
Much is expected of the Florida State commit. Most of that is due to his talents as a corner and return man, but a portion of what is expected has to do with the likelihood that Jalen Ramsey will enter the NFL draft after the season, and the future of the position is in question. Taylor is the type of talent who could ease concerns and be a difference-maker for the Seminoles from jump street, which could directly affect the ACC race and playoff hopes in 2016.
What's going on down in Tallahassee?
