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These former top recruits could play right away

College Football

With Mark Schlabach's post-spring Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings as our guide, we've ranked underrated players and video gamers. We've given you each team's weakest position group and even a team DJ.

This week, the recruiting experts take over to look at the instant-impact freshmen.

1. Alabama Crimson Tide

OL Jonah Williams

The Crimson Tide lost Ryan Kelly to the NFL draft and dismissed junior college signee Charles Baldwin, and All-American left tackle Cam Robinson was recently arrested for drug and weapon possession. What was originally thought to be a strong position group is now suddenly looking more vulnerable. Williams enrolled early and impressed with his play over the spring, and he could now see major playing time. -- Derek Tyson

2. Clemson Tigers

DT Dexter Lawrence.

With Clemson working sophomore-to-be Christian Wilkins at defensive end this spring, as well as at tackle, and D.J. Reader having graduated, depth at defensive tackle has to be addressed in 2016. Lawrence got a head start by enrolling early, and he left spring practice in a battle for backup to senior-to-be Carlos Watkins. The addition of the 340-pound Lawrence will provide defensive coordinator Brent Venables with a potentially huge defensive front that, at times, could have three players over 300 pounds on the four-man front. -- Gerry Hamilton

3. Michigan Wolverines

LB Devin Bush Jr.

Conventional wisdom might suggest No. 1 ranked Rashan Gary would be the pick. But if we're talking about most important freshman, it's Bush at linebacker. The No. 181-ranked prospect is at a position of need. He enrolled early. And he is from talent-rich Florida. Bush could see the field this season, since Michigan lost linebackers Joe Bolden, Desmond Morgan and James Ross. He also could help Michigan land a few more recruits in the Sunshine State if they see him on the field as a freshman. -- Tom VanHaaren

4. Florida State Seminoles

CB Levonta Taylor

With Jalen Ramsey off to the NFL, all eyes are on Taylor to see if he can compete for a starting spot on day one as many believe he can. Taylor's blend of explosive speed, quickness and playmaking ability provide him the opportunity to challenge right away. He could also factor in the return game from the start. -- Hamilton

5. Oklahoma Sooners

Linebacker Caleb Kelly

Linebacker depth was one of the most important needs the Sooners looked to address in the 2016 class, especially with both Eric Striker and Dominique Alexander moving on. That's why landing Kelly, the No. 7 outside linebacker, was critical. It's hard to expect any true freshman to step in right away and replace somebody of Striker or Alexander's talent, but Kelly has all the tools to make an immediate contribution. -- Jeremy Crabtree

6. LSU Tigers

WR Drake Davis

LSU is pretty loaded across the board, but Davis is an elite athlete who will likely make an impact on special teams from the start. The talented playmaker even blocked a field goal -- in which he hurdled over the line of scrimmage -- and returned it for a touchdown. Davis also had multiple kickoff returns for touchdowns as a senior. -- Tyson

7. Baylor Bears

DT Jeremy Faulk

With NT Andrew Billings' departure, the Bears are looking to plug a major hole up the middle of its new 3-4 defense. Don't be surprised if they turn to Faulk, a coveted junior college recruit out of Garden City (Kansas) Community College. Faulk was the second-ranked defensive tackle prospect in the juco ranks and a top-20 prospect overall. Coaches believe his skill set complements Baylor's new system quite well. -- Crabtree

8. Stanford Cardinal

DL Mike Williams

The defensive line is the biggest question mark for the Cardinal, and while Stanford doesn't exactly throw out true freshmen along either line, ESPN 300 defensive tackle Mike Williams will have an opportunity to push for playing time. And it could be necessary, as the Cardinal look to replace Aziz Shittu and Brennan Scarlett up front. -- Erik McKinney

9. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

S Devin Studstill

The coaches made offensive lineman Tommy Kraemer a priority in recruiting for a reason, so Kraemer could end up as the most important freshman. But Studstill has been getting a lot of praise, and he has taken some reps with the first team this spring. Having some competition in the defensive backfield with senior Max Redfield is a good thing for the Irish, and Studstill emerging as a contributor could help this season. -- VanHaaren

10. Ohio State Buckeyes

OL Michael Jordan

A case could be made for defensive end Nick Bosa, who was ranked as the No. 3 prospect overall in the 2016 class. Jordan has been turning heads, though, and could wind up being the most important freshman for the Buckeyes. Jordan enrolled early and worked with the first team in spring practice. Ohio State is only returning two starters from the offensive line, so if Jordan can step in and fill a spot on the line, it would be a huge help for the upcoming season. It doesn't hurt that the staff was able to pull him from the state of Michigan, as he was a big target for the Wolverines. -- VanHaaren

11. Tennessee Volunteers

ATH Tyler Byrd

Byrd is an exceptional athlete who had much success on both offense and defense in high school. He will likely start off as a defensive back and on special teams, and he could see some snaps on offense. Tennessee brought in several defensive backs in its 2016 class, but Byrd has the most playmaking ability of any of the incoming freshmen. -- Tyson

12. USC Trojans

DE Connor Murphy

The Trojans have been able to build enough depth at almost all positions, where they are no longer in desperate need of true freshmen to step in right away. But the defensive line is the one spot where it will be all hands on deck, and that could include Murphy. He has the size at 6-foot-7 and bloodlines -- younger brother of Washington Redskins linebacker Trent Murphy -- to throw himself immediately into the mix. And with the depth concerns up front, he'll be a welcome addition to that group. -- McKinney

13. Georgia Bulldogs

QB Jacob Eason

What Eason lacks in SEC game experience, he makes up for with his elite size and arm strength. His showing in Georgia's spring game gave Bulldogs fans a glimpse of what the strong-armed quarterback is capable of. Although it's always difficult playing quarterback as a freshman, most everyone would be shocked if Eason didn't see the field -- in some capacity -- as a true freshmen. -- Tyson

14. Ole Miss Rebels

LT Gregory Little

With starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil now in the NFL, the No. 1-ranked offensive tackle in the ESPN 300 is expected to take over Tunsil's position. At 6-foot-5 and 318 pounds, Little has ideal size and athleticism to play in Hugh Freeze's up-tempo spread offense. -- Tyson

15. Oklahoma State Cowboys

ATH Tyrell Alexander

With wide receiver David Glidden moving on, the Cowboys are looking for somebody to step up and become a playmaker at the position. Don't be surprised if the Cowboys look to Alexander, a four-star prospect, right out of the gate. Alexander has the size to be a deep-threat weapon and could follow in the footsteps of other athletic rangy receivers that Oklahoma State has had. Plus, Mike Gundy has shown no issues in giving true freshmen a shot at receiver. -- Crabtree

16. Michigan State Spartans

WR Donnie Corley

The Spartans are losing receivers Aaron Burbridge and Macgarrett Kings Jr., who accounted for 1,777 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns last season. Corley was recruited by a ton of schools, including Michigan, Ohio State and a few SEC teams, so it was a big in-state win for Michigan State. Having him enroll early and on campus could be a big boost to the offense this season, especially if he can step in to fill the void left by Burbridge. Since quarterback Connor Cook is off to the NFL, the Spartans could really use a playmaker such as Corley on offense to help out the quarterback who wins the job this season. -- VanHaaren

17. Washington Huskies

RB Sean McGrew

The Huskies have an answer at tailback in Myles Gaskin, but it would be surprising if McGrew doesn't work his way into the rotation this fall. Though he's just 5-foot-7, he runs much bigger than his size, and he just finished an extremely productive high school career in California's toughest conference. -- McKinney

18. Houston Cougars

DT Ed Oliver

No matter what the depth chart is like, five-star defensive tackle recruits such as Oliver are expected to play immediately. But that'll especially be the case at Houston, where Oliver is talented enough to make an instant impact, no matter who is ahead of him. Oliver was also the face of Tom Herman's high-profile recruiting class, so he will have to play early to help the Cougars continue their momentum with top prospects in the 2017 class. -- Crabtree

19. North Carolina Tar Heels

DE Tomon Fox

Continuing to add depth to the defensive end position remains imperative, and Fox will report to Chapel Hill physically advanced and as a good technician. Although capable players are returning this season for the Tar Heels, it will be a surprise if Fox doesn't work his way into the rotation and push some of the more experienced players on the roster. -- Hamilton

20. Oregon Ducks

WR Tristen Wallace

The Ducks could use some instant impact in the defensive front seven, but on offense, Wallace will be someone to keep an eye on. The 6-foot-3, 228-pound former quarterback heads to Eugene to play wide receiver, but he could wind up all over the offense. While there are still plenty of skill position players on the Oregon roster, it should be fun to see how Wallace is worked in early. -- McKinney

21. Texas A&M Aggies

RB Trayveon Williams

Williams might not start, at least early in the season, but he showed enough over the spring to impress coaches and fans. At 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds, Williams might not be the biggest back, but he runs low and has some wiggle. Look for Williams to contribute on special teams and work his way in to the running back rotation. -- Tyson

22. UCLA Bruins

LB Mique Juarez

The Bruins found out last year what life without Myles Jack was like, but UCLA could have the next Jack now on campus in Juarez. He could be the starter in the middle of the UCLA defense, and it wouldn't be at all surprising to see his prolific skills on offense, as well. -- McKinney

23. Iowa Hawkeyes

TE Noah Fant

Iowa isn't known for playing a lot of true freshmen, so this one will be a little more difficult to predict. Fant gets the nod, since the Hawkeyes lose Henry Krieger-Coble and Jake Duzey, so there is opportunity for Fant if he can catch on. Fant was the highest ranked prospect in the 2016 class and spurned his home state team, Nebraska, to play at Iowa. -- VanHaaren

24. Miami Hurricanes

LB Shaquille Quarterman

It would be easy to go with wide receiver Sam Bruce, but linebacker was a huge question mark this spring and heading into next season. Quarterman is a likely Game 1 starter after an impressive spring. His ability to not only come and answer the bell physically but also be ahead enough mentally to make all the defensive calls in Manny Diaz's scheme turned heads. A second true freshman linebacker, Michael Pinckney, could also start the opener. -- Hamilton

25. Louisville Cardinals

CB Ronald Walker

In the up-tempo college football world, there are never enough cornerbacks, and that is especially true of those with height and long arms. The 6-foot-1 Walker will provide depth and more talent to the position in an ACC Atlantic that has a number of talented and fast-paced passing teams. -- Hamilton

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