2018 Top Impact Freshman Defensive Backs

We continue with our breakdown of the top 10 freshmen to emerge in 2018, moving to the last line of the defense -- the secondary. With the proliferation of spreads and Air Raids on offense, having a defensive backfield that can keep the damage to a minimum is paramount.

Defensive backs are getting bigger, reversing a recent trend of smaller, quicker players on the edge. A lot of that is to counter the big receivers who make a living on jump balls and in the red zone. You have to fight fire with fire, and bringing in long, athletic players on the back end is one way to stop a physical passing attack.

These are not necessarily the top 10 defensive backs signed in 2018, but rather the 10 with the quickest chance to make a real impact. Positional rankings are included.

Alabama's Patrick Surtain Jr (Alabama Athletics)

2018 TOP 10 IMPACT DEFENSIVE BACKS
1. Patrick Surtain Jr/Alabama (DB1) -- The top kid in the class had an excellent teacher -- his father, a three-time Pro Bowler and 11-year NFL veteran from Southern Miss. The younger Surtain is long (6-1) and has excellent technique, and could fit in to an Alabama secondary that lacks experience. Already on the two-deep, Surtain could be a breakout star as soon as this year.
2. Brendan Radley-Hiles/Oklahoma (DB9) -- One of the few smaller corners in this year class, Radley-Hiles (5-10, 183) was in for spring and dazzled, to such an extent that he's listed as a starter at one corner spot for the Sooners. Excellent in press coverage and possessing an ability to recover, Radley-Hiles will help an Oklahoma D which ranked 87th against the pass in 2017.
3. Corione Harris/Kansas (DB48) -- One of the top players in Louisiana spurned his home state Bayou Bengals for a chance to play right away, and he can do just that with the Jayhawks. Harris, who needs to put on weight (170 pounds), is nevertheless excellent at anticipating the ball and a better tackler than his size would tell you. Another who was in for spring practice and impressed.
4. Anthony Cook/Texas (DB16) -- The Longhorns nabbed three of the top 12 DBs in the country, yet it's Cook who could be in line for the earliest playing time. At 6-0, 190, Cook has the size and quickness to become a playmaker, and the coaches raved about him during spring ball. Texas already had an excellent defense, but youth will make it even better in 2018.
5. Amari Burney/Florida (DB32) -- The Gators were excellent against the pass in 2017 (28th nationally) but lost a lot of talent. Burney could help alleviate the worry as he's already on the depth chart at one safety spot. Blessed with a big frame (6-1, 224) and a ball-hawking mentality, Burney has the look of a star -- something the Gators have had a lot of in the secondary in recent seasons.
6. AJ Lytton/Florida State (DB12) --One of the brightest stars in Maryland decided to cast his lot with new coach Willie Taggart, and his talent has put him into the two-deep already. A versatile sort who can play corner or nickel safety, Lytton has speed and smarts and could be in the Seminoles rotation in a hurry.
7. Isaac Taylor-Stuart/USC (DB7) -- The loss of Jack Jones to academics means that the cornerback rotation is in a state of flux. Taylor-Stuart (6-2, 187) has the size to be a headache for bigger receivers, and isn't afraid to get physical at the line of scrimmage. He'll likely open the year as a nickel, but could find himself on the field a lot in the pass-happy Pac-12.
8. Tyson Campbell/Georgia (DB2) --  While All-America candidate D'Andre Baker holds down one corner, the other is up for grabs. Mark Webb gets first dibs, but Campbell -- a high school teammate of Surtain at American Heritage HS in Fort Lauderdale -- has the talent to take the starting spot sooner rather than later. Another big corner (6-3, 180), Campbell has a good instinct for the football and could become a playmaker in the secondary.
9. Kyler McMichael/Clemson (DB14) -- The Tigers defensive line gets most of the hype, but the secondary is sneaky good, and McMichael could be a part of that right away. A product of Norcross, Ga., the 6-1, 190-pounder could take over from senior Mark Fields, who started just one game last season. McMichael is a hitter, and adds depth to one of the top secondaries in the ACC.
10. Christian Tutt/Auburn (DB49) -- There isn't much experienced depth for the Tigers, which means Tutt could have a chance to play very quickly. While he may not open the year as a starter, the Georgia native should be in the rotation early for an Auburn squad that will be tested out of the gate by Washington.

Just Missed: Caden Sterns/Texas (DB3); Houston Griffith/Notre Dame (DB17); Josh Proctor/Ohio State (DB18); Gilbert Frierson/Miami Fla (DB39); Christian Morgan/Baylor (NR); Keni-H Lovely/Western Michigan (NR); Kelvin Joseph/LSU (DB10); Donte Burton/Wisconsin (NR); Kwantel Raines/West Virginia (DB38); Jevon Jones/Arkansas State (NR)

2018 Top Impact Freshman Linebackers

Our breakdown of the top impact freshmen of 2018 continues, and it's time to look at the linebackers.

A deep and talented position, the linebacker haul was particularly good for teams during the last recruiting cycle. There are a lot of plug and play talents, and a few guys who could really make their presence felt sooner rather than later. There may even be a Roquan Smith or two in this bunch.

This is not a list of the top 10 linebacker recruits, but rather the 10 freshmen with the best chance to make an immediate impact. Positional rankings are included.

Penn State's Micah Parsons (PennLive.com)

2018 TOP 10 IMPACT LINEBACKERS
1. Micah Parsons/Penn State (DE3) -- Parsons was so impressive during the spring that he has already ascended up the depth chart, though not at defensive end, the position for which he was most touted. PSU is very thin in its linebacking corps, so the athletic, fast Parsons was moved to an outside spot. He will still be counted on to rush the passer, and is also solid in coverage. 
2. Ayodele Adeoye/Texas (LB13) -- The Longhorns defense was already trending upward, and the addition of Adeoye will only help. A rangy, quick, hard hitter, Adeoye should be able to find his way onto the field thanks to his combination of talents. Texas has a chance to be the best defense in the Big 12, and the talent is building up quickly. 
3. JJ Peterson/Tennessee (LB5) -- Just about every spot is up for grabs under new coach Jeremy Pruett, and the Vols were 126th in the country against the run so certainly need to get tougher in the front seven. Peterson is a mammoth talent who should get into the rotation, and may even take a starting spot since one side is rife with inexperience.
4. Palaie Gaoteote/USC (LB1) -- The top prize among linebackers for 2018, the Las Vegas product chose the Trojans and ascended to Cam Smith's backup in the middle thanks to an excellent spring. USC was middle of the Pac against the run, and Gaoteote brings toughness and a nose for the football that hasn't always been present the last few seasons in Troy.
5. Robert Hicks/Louisville (LB29) -- The Cardinals were somehow able to pry one of the best talents in the Sunshine State from the Big Three Florida schools, and they'll be glad they were. Hicks is already on the depth chart and has excellent instincts and quickness. He should help Louisville recover from a lot of personnel losses on the stop side.
6. Teradja Mitchell/Ohio State (LB4) -- The Buckeyes continue to cast a wide national net, and were able to nab Mitchell out of Virginia. A bone-jarring tackler, Mitchell has great sideline to sideline speed and excellent football instincts. Linebacker is the lone weakness for the OSU D, so don't be shocked if Mitchell makes his presence felt early.
7. Merlin Robertson/Arizona State (LB14) -- Robertson has the speed and size (6-3, 231) to make an immediate impact for a defense that needs all kinds of help. The Sun Devils were 109th in defense in 2017, and 78th against the run, so having a gritty, physical run-stopper can only improve things. At least that's what first year coach Herm Edwards hopes. Robertson could vie for Pac-12 newcomer honors as he should be on the field from the beginning of the season.
8. Alston Orji/Vanderbilt (LB30) -- The Commodores had an excellent defensive recruiting class, and nabbed two top 50 linebackers in the process. There is precious little experience in Vandy's linebacking group, so Orji could be used sooner rather than later.
9. Dax Hollifield/Virginia Tech (LB16) -- The Hokies have always prided themselves in big, physical linebackers who can run, and Hollifield is the latest to fit that mold. One of the top players in North Carolina, Hollifield spurned his home state schools for a chance to play in Bud Foster's aggressive defense.
10. Bumper Pool/Arkansas (LB40) -- Besides having one of the best names in the 2018 recruiting class, Pool also has quite a bit of talent. One of the better players in talent-rich Texas, Pool likely won't get the starting nod behind incumbent De'Jon Harris, but could get onto the field in situational packages.

Just Missed: Cameron McGrone/Michigan (LB12); Payton Wilson/NC State (LB6); Caleb Tannor/Nebraska (NR); Rosendo Louis/South Carolina (LB41); Ale Kaho/Washington (NR); Matthew Flint/North Carolina (NR); Dallas Gant/Ohio State (LB18); Adrian Jackson/Oregon (LB19); Shayne Simon/Notre Dame (LB9); Xavier Peters/Florida State (LB20)

2018 Top Impact Freshman Defensive Linemen

Continuing with our breakdown of the top talents entering college football in 2018, defensive line takes center stage.

Teams that win games have a quarterback and an outstanding pass rush, and there are a ton of talented defensive line players set to wreak havoc on the opposition in 2018.

These are not necessarily the top 10 freshmen defensive lineman in America, but rather the 10 with the best chance of making an immediate impact for their teams. Positional rankings are included.

Clemson's Xavier Thomas (USAToday)

2018 TOP 10 IMPACT  DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
1. Xavier Thomas/Clemson (DL1) -- The Tigers add to their embarrassment of riches on the D-line by snagging the nation's top rated prospect. Already on the depth at one end spot, Thomas should have the ability to make waves early and often.
2. Ronnie Perkins/Oklahoma (DL10) -- Oklahoma lost a lot on defense, and may need freshmen to fill in a a lot of places. One of the biggest concerns is on the defensive line, and Perkins will add to the depth and have an ability to become a high-impact pass rusher for a team that will need to generate pressure.
3. Taron Vincent/Ohio State (DL5) -- The starters are pretty well established at OSU, but Vincent is a special talent who should be able to work his way into the rotation on the interior. A high motor, powerful player, Vincent is earmarked for stardom.
4. Dante Stills/West Virginia (DL24) -- Offense hasn't been an issue in Morgantown, but the stop side of the ball has kept the Mountaineers from getting where they want to be. Stills is a skilled, quick edge rusher who has already found his way on to the depth chart, and he could give WVU a much-needed boost in providing pressure in the pass-happy Big 12.
5. Brenton Cox/Georgia (DL6) -- Cox is part of the nation's top-rated recruiting class, and has the skills to break into a crowded, talented Georgia defense. He's at his best standing up, and could garner looks at rush linebacker in the Dawgs 3-4 scheme, but he could also find himself with his hand on the ground at times. 
6. Atonio Mafi/UCLA (NR) -- The Bruins need a ton of help on defense after ranking 123rd nationally (and dead last against the run), and the powerfully built Mafi could be the answer at defensive tackle. At 6-3, 360, Mafi is a massive individual who will prove hard to move -- on the field and out of the lineup. 
7. Stephon Wynn/Alabama (DL12) -- Alabama nabbed three of the top 20 defensive linemen in the nation in this latest recruiting cycle, and Wynn has the best shot at contributing right away. Nick Saban loves to rotate his linemen, and this Florida product has the skills and quickness to get into that rotation.
8. Kingsley Enagbare/South Carolina (DL48) -- The Gamecocks return three starters up front for a defense that was top 50 nationally in 2017, and Enagbare should fortify the front for Will Muschamp's squad. Enagbare had offers from Auburn, Georgia, Notre Dame and West Virginia, among others, so it's apparent that he has big time talent.
9. Jeffery Johnson/Tulane (NR) -- Johnson is not your typical Group of Five signee, holding offers from Alabama, LSU, Florida, Florida State and Mississippi State, among many others. A quick, explosive force on the interior, Johnson seized the starting nose tackle position in spring ball and appears to have limitless potential for a Green Wave team that appears to be trending upward.
10. Thomas Booker/Stanford (DL49) -- One of the jewels of a very good Cardinal recruiting class, Booker played end at Baltimore Gilman but will likely slide inside for Stanford. Booker had offers from Clemson, Florida State, Michigan, Ohio State and many others, and should have an immediate impact for a Stanford defense that was an unusually poor 76th in the country.

Just Missed: Tommy Togiai/Ohio State (DL9); Nesta Silvera/Miami Fla (DL8); Malik Vann/Cincinnati (DL72); Randy Charlton/UCF (NR); Calvin Avery/Illinois (DL40); Robert Cooper/Florida State (DL21); Jason Mercier/FIU (NR); Adam Plant/Arizona (NR); Jarell Cherry/LSU (DL38); Eddie Wilson/Buffalo (NR)

2018 Top Impact Freshman Offensive Linemen

It isn't glamorous, it doesn't make headlines (unless there's a penalty), but if you don't have one you are not going to win football games. It's an offensive line, and the best teams have the best guys up front. It's not rocket science, folks. The big uglies win ballgames for you.

Freshmen don't often get into the starting lineup unless they are otherworldly talents (see Pace, Orlando) or if a team is going through a rebuild or a coaching change. To that end, it isn't always easy to forecast the guys who will play a major role in their teams fortunes in a given year. But fear not, friends -- we have found 10 behemoths who should be able to, at worst, contribute and, at best, grab a starting spot.

These are not necessarily the 10 top recruited offensive linemen, but rather the 10 who will make an immediate impact by grabbing playing time. Positional ranking is included.

UCLA's Chris Murray (Orange County Register)

2018 TOP 10 IMPACT OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
1. Chris Murray/UCLA (OL28) -- The Bruins needed a LOT of help, and Chip Kelly smartly picked up some offensive linemen for his uptempo spread option system. Murray, who protected USC QB recruit JT Daniels at Mater Dei HS, has already been penciled in as a starter at guard, and impressed as a prepster with his quickness and attention to detail.
2. Penei Sewell/Oregon (OL7) -- The Ducks return both of their guards, but Sewell is good enough to get into the rotation and has already climbed to second string on the right side. A massive individual (6-5, 349), Sewell is surprisingly nimble and can get out in front on traps and pulling plays. 
3. Delone Scaife/Miami Fla (OL20) -- Scaife is another player who was in for spring ball and made waves, enough to climb to a backup guard spot. Scaife is strong and powerful and adept at finishing blocks.
4. Brey Walker/Oklahoma (OL5) -- The Sooners don't have a holdover at right tackle, which means Walker could seize that spot with a good fall camp. As it is, the agile, quick-footed Oklahoma native is penciled in as the backup.
5. Nicholas Petit-Frere/Ohio State (OL1) -- The Buckeyes must replace left tackle Jamarco Jones, and while they profess to have confidence in redshirt freshman Thayer Munford, Petit-Frere should challenge for the starting spot once he arrives for fall camp. Tall but lean (6-6, 272), Petit-Frere is equally good at pass and run blocking, and could be a fixture up front should he nab the starting role. 
6. Rasheed Walker/Penn State (OL9) -- There isn't a ton of experience behind the starting tackles, so don't be shocked if the Maryland native grabs one of the backup roles -- at least as a start. Walker has good footwork and, at 6-6, excellent arm extension.
7. William Barnes/North Carolina (OL6) -- The Tar Heels are in transition, and one of their real question marks is up front on offense, returning just one starter. Barnes, a Florida native, has a mean streak and good strength, and it should be just a matter of time before he finds his way into the lineup. 
8. Jamaree Salyer/Georgia (OL2) -- If Georgia wasn't returning three starters up front, and if two reserves from last year weren't set to start in 2018, Salyer might be at the top of this list. Another massive individual (6-4, 342), Salyer loves to run block and should be a perfect fit for the Dawgs run-based offensive philosophy. 
9. Curtis Dunlap Jr/Minnesota (OL24) -- PJ Fleck is all about toughness, which is why he focused so heavily on offensive line in the last recruiting cycle. Dunlap is one of two top-50 linemen the Gophers nabbed, and hails from the prestigious IMG Academy in Florida. He was already up to number two at right guard, and with a good fall camp might be able to ascend to starter. 
10. Jackson Carman/Clemson (OL3) -- Carman was the top prospect in Ohio but spurned his home state Buckeyes for Dabo Swinney's crew. A prototype left tackle thanks to excellent feet, Carman isn't beating out All-America Mitch Hyatt for that spot. So he might need to spend a year on the right side, where there is a lot of inexperience.

Just Missed: Cade Mays/Georgia (OL4); Will Craig/Cal (OL35); Steven Jones/Oregon (OL27); Colten Blanton/Texas A&M (OL21); Jerome Carvin/Tennessee (OL50); Demarcus Marshall/Texas Tech (NR); Alec Anderson/UCLA (NR); Levon Livingston/SMU (NR); Nik Hogan/Tulane (NR); Despelado Alexandre/Georgia State

2018 Top Impact Freshman Tight Ends

The days of the the tight end being used as another tackle are over -- replaced by sleek, smooth, fluid athletes who can line up all over the field and make plays in space.

As more and more teams look for ways to create mismatches in the passing game, tight ends are being utilized in every fashion imaginable -- in the backfield, in the slot, out wide, even as a hybrid motion man. Linebackers aren't fast enough to keep up and safeties aren't always big enough to handle tight ends one on one. So the chances are there for these players to shine, and there are a number of them coming into the game in 2018.

The following are not the top tight ends recruited, but the tight ends with the biggest opportunity to make an impact in 2018. Positional ranking is included.

Miami's Brevin Jordan (Palm Beach Post)

2018 TOP 5 IMPACT TIGHT ENDS
1. Brevin Jordan/Miami Fla (TE1) -- A four-star talent and Miami's top rated recruit, Jordan is the prototype for today's tight end -- fast, good hands the moves of a running back in the open field. He's a solid blocker, too, and can line up anywhere in the formation. Just another explosive weapon for the Hurricanes to utilize. Was in for spring ball and is the favorite to start at tight end.
2. Kyle Pitts/Florida (TE 11) -- Another four star talent, Pitts chose the Gators over Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State and Miami, among others. Pitts has imposing size (6-6, 250) and uses his body well to shield defenders, making him an inviting red zone target. A very good blocker, Pitts will be an asset in the ground attack and can still go out into a pattern and create problems.
3. Jeremy Ruckert/Ohio State (TE2) -- Quite possibly the most naturally-gifted tight end Urban Meyer has ever recruited -- and he's had some good ones. The four-star Ruckert can run past linebackers down the seam and is too big for safeties to handle alone. In the Buckeyes new-look offense, Ruckert could be the one who changes the tradition of OSU tight ends being used as glorified tackles. Great with the ball in his hands, Ruckert should have ample opportunity to get on the field, if not start, in 2018.
4. Chig Okonkwo/Maryland (TE23) -- A bit of a sleeper, the athletic three-star is fluid in his movements and built more like a receiver -- at least for the moment. That means he can stretch the field for an emerging Maryland offense. He will need to put on size if he's to help as a blocker, but for now he should be able to damage as a flex tight end.
5. Leonard Taylor/Cincinnati (TE16) -- A nice pick up by Bearcats coach Luke Fickell, who nabbed Taylor out of Springfield, Ohio. A four-star talent, Taylor was Cincinnati's top 2018 signee and should be in line for immediate playing time. A big, imposing target, Taylor will be looked at in the red zone and on third down.

Just Missed: Mustapha Muhammad/Michigan (TE6); Spencer Webb/Oregon (TE11); Dallin Holker/BYU (TE46); Brevyn Spann-Ford/Minnesota (TE40); James Mitchell/Virginia Tech (WR62); TJ Banks/West Virginia (ATH34); Isaiah Likely/Coastal Carolina (NR)

2018 Top Impact Freshman Wide Receivers

Few things make the crowd explode like a beautifully floated deep pass. A receiver breaking free, using his speed to create space and reaching over his shoulder to snag the football on his way to the end zone. It never gets old, and it's becoming more and more a part of the college game.

Coaches are looking for difference makers outside, guys who can get on top of a defense as well as take a slant or a bubble screen to the house. There is no shortage of playmakers entering college football this season, and we have found the 10 that we like the best. These guys are the good hands team, the players who have a chance to make instant impacts for their squads.

These are not the top 10 receiver recruits, but rather the 10 receivers we feel have the best opportunity to do big things right away. Positional ranking is included.

Washington's Marquis Spiker (HERO Sports)

2018 TOP 10 IMPACT FRESHMAN WIDE RECEIVERS
1. Marquis Spiker/Washington (WR9) -- This four-star talent was one of the premier players in talent-rich California, and he has the size (6-3) and speed to create real problems for Pac-12 secondaries. Jake Browning should look to Spiker early and often this year as the Huskies showcase one of the most explosive offenses in America. 
2. Amon-Ra St. Brown/USC (WR2) -- Yet another from the talented St. Brown family, Amon-Ra should find himself as a frequent target of fellow freshman J.T. Daniels, the favorite to win the Trojans quarterback spot. Excellent open field moves and soft hands make the five-star St. Brown a dangerous weapon. 
3. Devonta Jason/Mississippi State (WR32) -- In for spring ball, Jason made a quick impression and found himself in line for a starting spot. Jason is physically imposing (6-3, 211) and a solid route-runner, and should be an inviting red zone target for Nick Fitzgerald. The Bulldogs receiving corps is young in general, and Jason has a chance to be special. 
4. Justin Shorter/Penn State (WR1) --The loss of DaeSean Hamilton to the NFL will hurt the Nittany Lions a bit, but Juwan Johnson and DeAndre Thompson are veteran holdovers. The five-star Shorter might be too good to keep off the field, and has the prototype size (6-4, 213) James Franklin loves. Shorter could be a matchup nightmare right off the bat. 
5. Terrace Marshall/LSU (WR3) -- The five-star Marshall is the latest in a long line of talented receivers the Tigers have reeled in. Marshall has the speed to get deep and the toughness to go up for jump balls, and should be an early contributor for Coach O. He will make the transition to a new quarterback much easier in Bayou country. 
6. Kevin Austin/Notre Dame (WR14) -- Notre Dame lost Equamineous St. Brown, but don't be surprised if the fresh-faced Austin takes over and brings life to an inconsistent Irish passing attack. One of the top playmakers from Florida, the four-star talent should find himself right in the mix for top wideout honors in South Bend. 
7. Derion Kendrick/Clemson (WR4) -- Dabo Swinney is, at his core, a coach who loves physical football. But he's also wise enough to know that sometimes you need playmakers outside, and the five-star Kendrick fits that bill. Kendrick is elusive in the open field and catches everything thrown his way, so look for him to contribute immediately. 
8. Chase Cota/UCLA (WR29) -- The Bruins offense under Chip Kelly will be a work in progress, but no one can say that he's lacking athletes. Cota, a four-star talent from Oregon, is a tall (6-4), deceptively fast target who should find himself on the receiving end of more than a few passes. 
9. Mark Pope/Miami Fla (WR11) -- Miami is getting back to the days when it had speed, speed and more speed, and Pope is the latest burner to come to Coral Gables. Jeff Thomas and Ahmmon Richards are the holdovers, but no one on the Canes roster had more than 24 catches last year. So Pope has a chart to find his way into the starting lineup -- or, at worst, a big role off the bench. 
10. Matthew Hill/Auburn (WR17) -- Season-ending injuries to wideouts Eli Stove and Will Hastings has thinned the Tigers receiving corps a bit, but this Georgia four-star should be able to soften the blow. Gus Malzahn isn't afraid to play freshmen, and gets inventive with his offensive packages, so he'll find ways to best utilize the speedy Hill.

Just Missed: Tevailance Hunt/TCU (WR45); Rashod Bateman/Minnesota (WR61); Rondale Moore/Purdue (WR41); Jacob Copeland/Florida (WR12); Rodrick Fisher/Washington State (WR58); Jalen Preston/Texas A&M (WR18); Tre Turner/Virginia Tech (WR34); Khalil Shakir/Boise State (ATH22); Jaquan Webb/Marshall (WR93); Dyami Brown/North Carolina (ATH8)
 

2018 Top Impact Freshman Running Backs

Even as college football evolves into a spread-em-out, matchup driven sport, there is still a need for a good attack. Teams that can run the ball often kill the will of their opponent, making it easier to close out games.

There are a host of freakishly talented runners entering college football this year, and while they may not open 2018 as starters, they will definitely showcase their abilities and make coaches think long and hard about keeping them on the bench. Most college teams are mimicking their NFL counterparts and using a multi-pronged rushing attack, and that's where a lot of these freshmen will make their bones.

What follows is a ranking of the top 10 Impact Freshman running backs for 2018. These aren't necessarily the top 10 backs inked in the recruiting season, but the 10 with the best mix of talent and opportunity, with a chance to get on the field early. Positional ranking is included.

Miami's Lorenzo Lingard (Palm Beach Post)

2018 TOP 10 IMPACT FRESHMAN RUNNING BACKS
1. Lorenzo Lingard/Miami Fla. (RB2) -- The Hurricanes have a deep running stable, but none of the choices are as electrifying as Lingard, who could have a Cam Akers effect on the ground game. The five-star back is a mix of power and speed, and has the wiggle to make defenders miss. Whether or not he opens the year as a starter, he will be in the mix -- and could very well be the top dog by the end of the season. 
2. Ricky Person Jr/North Carolina State (RB4) -- Person was in for spring ball and has already worked his way up to second on the depth chart, behind Reggie Gallaspy II, who was productive behind Nyheim Hines last season. A four-star talent, Person is a good bet to steal carries from Gallaspy, and his burly frame could make him an enticing goal line option, too. 
3. Zamir White/Georgia (RB1) -- A five-star speedster with a huge upside, White would vie for major playing time had he not torn his ACL in his final high school campaign. He is expected to be healthy by the beginning of the season, and the coaching staff will likely ease him into things. But once he gets going, they may have no choice but to feed the beast. He and D'Andre Swift could form another Chubb-Michel powerhouse for the Bulldogs ground game. 
4. Keaontay Ingram/Texas (RB6) --The Longhorns put together one of the best recruiting classes in the nation, and Ingram was one of the spotlight players. A four-star 6-1, 190-pounder, Ingram is good catching passes and has the quickness to get outside the tackles, which means he's the every-down back Texas has lacked the past few seasons. Ingram has great initial explosion and lateral quickness, and loves making defenders miss. If Texas' offense takes that next step, it will be in large part due to Ingram.
5. Fabian Franklin/TCU (RB13) -- A former Mississippi State commit, Franklin flipped late and gives the Horned Frogs a shifty, elusive back who should vie for early playing time. Darius Anderson is the incumbent, but there isn't much experience behind him, leaving the four-star Franklin in line for a pretty big role.
6. Brock Sturges/Arizona State (RB29) -- A dearth of backfield experience in Tempe -- QB Manny Wilkins is the team's leading returning rusher -- means work is there for the taking. Eno Benjamin was part of last year's class, but the three-star Sturges, who reminds some of former ASU star runner Demario Richard, was up to second team and could make the starting position a tough decision for the coaches. 
7. Christopher Brown Jr/Cal (RB23) -- It's unlikely that anyone usurps starter Patrick Laird as the Bears primary ballcarrier, but offseason attrition means that the backup spot is up for grabs, and Brown has the size and quickness to get a good amount of work on an experienced offensive unit that has a real chance for improvement in 2018. 
8. Ricky Slade/Penn State (RB3) -- Miles Sanders is the starter and ready for a breakout, but he'll need a rest, and when he gets one it could very well be Slade getting the reps. Built low to the ground, the five-star back has home run speed and could steal more and more carries as the season progresses. 
9. Jeremy Banks/Tennessee (RB16) -- There will be open auditions for just about every job as first year coach Jeremy Pruitt attempts to assess his squad. Banks, a 6-2, 215-pound bruiser, is a four-star talent who loves playing physical and picking up yards after contact. His blue collar style should endear him to Vols Nation rather quickly.
10. Anthony "Pooka" Williams/Kansas (RB20) -- One of Louisiana's best, the four-star Williams could be the best runner the Jayhawks have had since Tony Sands ran wild in Lawrence. Williams, who had offers from LSU and Nebraska, is lightning fast and a good target out of the backfield, and should be able to get into the Kansas backfield rotation sooner rather than later.

Just Missed: Max Borghi/Washington State (RB41); Master Teague/Ohio State (RB11); Isaiah Woullard/Ole Miss (RB131); Kelan Walker/Houston (RB39); Nolan Edmonds/Minnesota (RB28); Jermar Jefferson/Oregon State (RB41)

2018 Top Impact Freshman Quarterbacks

It used to be that having a freshman quarterback -- whether by choice or out of necessity -- meant a college football season was lost, that a team was moving on to the next season, that a championship was out of the question.

Last year's College Football Playoff championship blew that thought out of the water.

Georgia's Jake Fromm and Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa, both true freshmen, proved that the moment was not too big as they waged battle on the floor of Mercedes-Benz Stadium. When the dust settled Tagovailoa's Crimson Tide had an overtime win and national title, but both players had stamped themselves as big-time, showing that freshmen can indeed get the job done.

The next wave is here, as a host of high-profile recruits are slated to take the field in 2018.

This is our ranking of the Top 10 Impact Freshman Quarterbacks -- it's not a ranking of the top 10 quarterback signees, but the 10 signal-callers with the highest upside this season. Opportunity is there for all of them, though a few may need a little bit of help. Positional recruiting rankings included.

USC's JT Daniels (Orange County Register)

2018 TOP 10 IMPACT FRESHMAN QUARTERBACKS
1. J.T. Daniels/USC (QB3) -- A five-star talent from powerhouse Mater Dei High School, Daniels has a pretty open path to the starting job vacated by Sam Darnold's decision to turn pro. Daniels has a great arm and understanding of the game, and needs to beat out only Jack Sears and Matt Fink.
2. Adrian Martinez/Nebraska (QB13) -- The four-star dual threat from Fresno is a perfect fit for Scott Frost's spread offense, and with the transfer of sophomore Patrick O'Brien needs to only beat out Tristan Gebbia for the starting role. Nebraska is undergoing a culture change and offensive transition, and Martinez could be another McKenzie Milton before he's finished in Lincoln. 
3. Dorian Thompson-Robinson/UCLA (QB4)-- What will the Bruins offense look like in year one under Chip Kelly? It could look a lot like his Oregon squads, especially if the four-star Las Vegas product wins the job. A perfect fit for Kelly's offense, Thompson-Robinson needs to beat out sophomore Devon Modster and Michigan graduate transfer Wilton Speight, who seems an odd fit for the Kelly offense. 
4. Artur Sitkowski/Rutgers (QB34) -- A former Miami commit, the three-star New Jersey product could be Rutgers quarterback of the future -- and that future could be now. Holdover Giovanni Rescigno completed just 47 percent last season, leaving the door wide open for the big-armed Sitkowski. 
5. Trevor Lawrence/Clemson (QB1) -- If Lawrence was named opening week starter, he would be atop this list. But holdover Kelly Bryant still has the job, though he will be challenged by Lawrence, who looked good enough in spring practice that five-star quarterback Hunter Johnson decided to transfer. If Lawrence gets the job this year, the Tigers could be really tough to beat.
6. Justin Fields/Georgia (QB2) -- Like Lawrence, Fields has a roadblock in his way in the former of incumbent Fromm. Unlike Clemson's Bryant, Fromm had good numbers last season and is likely to hang on to the job. But buzz out of Athens is that five-star Fields is legitimately in the mix, and would give the Bulldogs more of a dual threat.
7. Holton Ahlers/East Carolina (QB37) -- The Pirates got a good one in this three-star Greenville, N.C. product. At 6-4, 235, he has the requisite size, and a big arm to go along with it. He was in for spring drills and impressed the coaches, though they did not name a starter.  
8. Kevaris Thomas/Western Kentucky (QB52) -- A three-star dual threat from Lakeland, Fla., Thomas had offers from Colorado State, Florida Atlantic and USF, but headed to Bowling Green, Ky., where there is an open spot after the departure of Mike White to the NFL. Thomas can keep plays alive with his feet and throws well on the run and will compete with Steven Duncan and Drew Eckels for the starting job. 
9. Emory Jones/Florida (QB10) -- A one-time Ohio State commit, Jones decided to sign with Florida after it hired Dan Mullen to take over from Jim McElwain. Jones, a four-star dual threat from Franklin, Ga., was in for the spring but has yet to pass incumbent Feleipe Franks or Kyle Trask. Jones has the most upside of the bunch, and if he can digest Mullen's playbook the Gators offense could finally get a much-needed boost. 
10. Spencer Sanders/Oklahoma State (QB16) -- A four-star Texas native, Sanders is more mobile than recent Cowboys quarterbacks, and could take the job from Hawaii transfer Dru Brown with a big fall camp. Sanders had offers from Penn State, South Carolina, TCU and Texas A&M, among others, and could be one of the overlooked gems of this class.

Just Missed: Jarren Williams/Miami Fla. (QB8); Chevan Cordeiro/Hawaii (NR); Bryce Carpenter/Coastal Carolina (NR); Tyler Vitt/Texas State (QB97); Brennan Armstrong/Virginia (QB45)