College football’s instant impact freshmen for 2020

The college football world is changing. Freshmen that can start or contribute significantly are as much valuable commodities as ever before.

With the current trend headed toward more players opting out of college ball before their third season, the newcomers have to grow up quickly and make impacts. A two-year college football career may become the norm for top players in the Power 5 programs.

Here is a list of freshmen for 2020 that should be grabbing headlines quickly.

Arik Gilbert, TE, LSU

The 6-foot-5, 253 pounder is exhibit A when it comes to someone who can make a major splash right away. He is quickly becoming a major option in the Tigers’ passing attack. With the departure of Ja’Marr Chase, Gilbert most likely to shine in a hurry. He is a mismatch for safeties, linebackers and undersized corners. Gilbert can stretch the field and shows off a ridiculous catching radius. It won’t be long before you will see him among the Mackey Award finalists.

Bryce Young, QB, Alabama (6-0, 194)

Currently slotted behind starter Mac Jones, expect the 5 star signee in ’20 to earn more playing time as the season progresses. He was the 2019 California Gatorade Player of the Year with 13,250 career passing yards, 152 touchdown passes, 1,084 rushing yards and 26 additional scores on the ground. He has excellent pocket prescence, studies game film religiously, reads coverages very well and shows keen attention to detail. The dual-threat can make tight window throws with confidence in his tosses. Missing spring drills slowed his progress but Young will benefit from an extended fall camp thid year.

Myles Slusher, FS, Arkansas (6-0, 181)

The #5 rated safety in the 2020 class backs up starter Joe Foucha (McDonogh 35 alum). Slusher was an early enrollee who should quickly be ready for the speed of the college level. With Kamren Curl off to the NFL, there is an opening to perhaps play with Foucha. Slusher tackles well in space and provides tight coverage when needed. The Razorbacks did well to flip him from a commitment to Oregon.

Cartavious “Tank” Bigsby, RB, Auburn (6-0, 204, 4.55)

Although he now backs up starter D.J. Williams, Bigsby was top four player at his position in his class. Durign his final two prep seasons, Tank rolled for 3,857 yards and 49 scores. Bigsby displays the ability to juke his way to open space, find a second gear and make bigplays. He has excellent vision and superb hands. Auburn at its best runs the ball at an elite level, and Bigsby has that type of talent.

Joshua Braun, RG, Florida (6-6, 335)

The nation’s #22 tackle in the ’20 class has an opening to play immediately. The Gators do not have sufficient depth along line, and that will open door for players like Braun. He possesses skills to qualify for reps. Players like him may not steal headlines but they do help win games.

Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas (6-0, 205)

His first name means Hero in Persian. As a prep senior, he racked up 2,235 yards (on a stunning 17.7 yards per carry) with 38 touchdowns. In a single game, he ran for 430 yards and six touchdowns on only 13 carries. An unbelievable cut back runner with eye-opening start n’ stop talent, Robinson will play a big role for the Longhorns in their quest to retake the Big XII title. Texas head coach Tom Herman told Texas Sports Nation, “Oh, he’s gonna play. No ifs, ands or buts about it.”

Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson (6-5, 290)

The top prospect in nation made 47 tackles but 30.5 for loss with 14 sacks as a senior. He may bulk up to 315 pounds. Great quickness, hand speed and intangibles came with Bresee to the other Death Valley. He coompares to ex-Clemson star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, although with different body type. He’s too good to sit as a freshman.

Khari “Duke” Coleman, DE, TCU (6-2, 224)

The alum of Carver (New Orleans) recorded 27 sacks in ’19. He has exceptional quickness off the edge and uses his hands very well. The Frogs know how to use undersized edges with his type of speed and quickness.

Patrick Jenkins, DT, TCU (6-2, 293)

The John Ehret product originally committed to LSU. He has an impressive initial step, active hands and hot motor. Jenkins may fill a role vacated by Ross Blacklock who left for NFL. The New Orleans connection in Fort Worth, Coleman and Jenkins are second teamers set to play a lot as true freshmen.

Jordan Burch, DE, South Carolina (6-6, 276)

A 5 star signee who most in the SEc coveted, Burch stayed home. He’s explosive with a high football IQ and the versatility to kick inside. The highest ranked prospect out of South Carolina since Jadeveon Clowney has skills that compare to Joey Bosa at the same stage.

Desmond Demas, WR, Texas A&M (6-3, 192)

Already a starter for the Aggies, Demas is a very polished receiver who will be a key option for veteran QB Kellen Mond. Jimbo Fisher will team Demas with leading receiver Jhamon Ausbon, who snared 66 passes for 872 yards and five touchdowns last year.

Elias Ricks, CB, LSU (6-2, 192, 4.4)

May be starting opposite Derek Stingley on opening day vs. Mississippi State, Ricks will be tested in a hurry. With Kary Vincent’s departure for NFL preparations, Ricks will see his role expand. Cordale Flott may move to nickel to make room for Elias outside. Able to play in zone or man coverage. Ricks will eventually step into Titans rookie Kristian Fulton’s spot. Very confident, Ricks is a heady player who understands footwork and balance. At IMG Academy, he faced off at practice against wideout Marvin Harrison, Jr. (son of the Hall of Famer).

Justin Rogers, DT, Kentucky (6-2, 336)

A day one starter for ‘Cats, Rogers was the top ranked 2020 player in Michigan who was a four-year starter at offensive and defensive tackle. As that would suggest, he is an extremely hard worker. Rogers had wanted to attend Kentucky since 10th grade.

Gervon Dexter, DT, Florida (6-6, 294)

A young man with freakish skills, Dexter is raw after only two years of football experience. He has excelled on the basketball court and just scratched the surface of his football talents (179 tackles, 26 sacks, 14 forced fumbles in two prep campaigns). Dexter moves like much smaller man. Florida head coach Dan Mullen likens him to Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones, whom he coached at Mississippi State.

Myles Murphy, DE, Clemson (6-5, 275, 4.65)

Another signee too talented to keep off field even at Clemson, the #2 end in the ’20 class is quick as a cat and highly motivated. Longtime Clemson observers compare him to Cle Ferrell, a first round draft pick of the Raiders in 2019 who won the Hendricks Award in 2018. Good versus the run, Murphy will make an impact as a freshman.

Jordan Johnson, WR, Notre Dame (6-1, 182)

The St. Louis native is a projected starter for Irish, who need a boost at wide out after losing a trio of receivers who accounted for 150 catches, 2,008 yards and 23 touchdowns last season. Javon McKinley, the leading returning receiver, only managed 11 catches for 268 yards and four touchdowns. Johnson is smooth out of breaks and very crafty, the type of polished player who can jump into an offense quickly.

Zachary Evans, RB, TCU (5-11, 200, 4.5)

Penciled in as an opening day starter, Evans has been called one the most athletic players in country regardless of position. In his final two prep seasons, he accumulated 3,384 yards and 49 touchdowns. 247 Sports compared him to NFL running back Melvin Gordon.

Josh Remetich, RG, Tulane (6-3, 275, 5.2)

Named a preseason Freshman All-American by 247 Sports., the Holy Cross (New Orleans) product was a two-time all-district performer (2018-’19)who ranked as the 27th overall 2020 recruit in Louisiana.Remetich had offers from Boston College, Tennessee, Virginia, Houston, Kansas State, Memphis, Maryland, Ole Miss, Kentucky, Louisville and others. He’s strong (550 lbs. squat, 280 lbs. clean) and maintains blocks. He delivers powerful hits, gets in front of plays and displays steady balance. Polished beyond his years, Josh is good in pass protection and relentless. Left guard Corey Dublin (Jesuit) is a four-year starter for Green Wave, and Remetich looks poised to follow in his fellow local Catholic Leaguer’s footsteps.