"Impact" is obviously a relative term. Some freshman contribute immediate gains and earn the tag as franchise-like players. Others contribute on a lesser scale, either by strengthening a team's weaknesses or enhancing a team's strengths.
The following represents a handful of freshman expected to have such a program impact in 2007. For the record, redshirt freshman (or those expected to redshirt) are considered.
| 1. Mike Ford, RB, South Florida |
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Despite this odd state of affairs, Jim Leavitt's charges went 9-4 and have become a chic pick for the 2007 season. If South Florida is to turn the corner from "Curious Anomaly" to "Viable Contender," Mike Ford's rushing prowess must take center stage. Easily the Bulls' most heralded recruit since the program's relatively recent inception, Ford has the opportunity and skills to diversify South Florida's offensive performance and methodology. A guy that rushes for a Florida state record 2,836 yards as a high school senior tends to have that effect. Of course, in order for that effect to take place, Ford must try and keep his nose out of trouble. |
In 2006, the South Florida Bulls managed to accumulate 1,874 yards on the ground. Matt Grothe -- South Florida's All-Everything quarterback/savior -- accounted for a third of those yards and almost matched the total number of carries accumulated by the Bulls' top two running backs (178-195).
| 2. LeSean McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh |
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LeSean McCoy, though, has the potential to become a superstar. With speed, hands, and a balance that allows him to see the entire field, McCoy can do it all. Even The Wannstache has seen the potential McCoy holds: "I've kind of been hesitant to say his name, but after (Monday's) practice I have to say some good things,'' Wannstedt said. "LeSean McCoy made some plays in today's practice that were awfully exciting. He's working extremely hard and learning the offense, and he's playing tough. And those are the things that initially we were waiting to see."McCoy is not expected to get the lion's share of carries this season, but he will provide an excellent second option to Stephens-Howling.
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It's not that LaRod Stephens-Howling is a bad option at tailback. In fact, Stephens-Howling has done an admirable job toting the bean for The Wannstache (5.02 yards per carry in 2006) given the fact that he has been running behind what can only be described as an underwhelming offensive line.| 3. Anthony Davis, OL, Rutgers |
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Standing 6'6" and tipping the scales at around 350 pounds, New Jersey native Anthony Davis fits the bill nicely. One of the most coveted offensive line prospects in the country, Davis spurred, amongst others, Ohio State and Southern California to join the Greg Schiano Mafia. It is uncertain whether Davis will start this season for the Scarlet Knights (he is currently battling some serious conditioning issues due to a summertime affection for anything mildly characterized as "food"), but Schiano obviously sees the potential Davis holds: "He does some things where you sit there and go 'whoa,'" head coach Greg Schiano said. "But the next play he makes a freshman mistake. He is a freshman." Once Davis figures out how to put it all together, he may go down in history as the best offensive lineman to play in the Big East (and that includes the wealth of line talent that came out of Miami and Virginia Tech in the league's halcyon days).
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If Rutgers is to achieve is goal of absolute and unquestioned global domination, it's probably helpful to have a guy that resembles The Thing.| Others to Watch |
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Here are a handful of freshman that are likely to become positive forces within their team's program structure: Jermaine Pierce, LB -- Syracuse Blessed with size and strength, there is a very good chance that Pierce will see serious time this season for Greg Robinson's Orange. The linebacker situation remains unsettled at Syracuse and if Pierce continues to impress his coaches, Pierce could be the first young linebacker to immediately contribute since Clifton Smith. Noel Devine, RB -- West F'n Virginia How does a blue-chip prospect fall to an "Others to Watch" category? Simple: he is playing behind arguably the most exciting player in college football (Steve Slaton). Devine will play in 2007, but due to the riches West Virginia is currently experiencing, his contributions will not have a superior impact. Look for Devine to make his mark next season when Slaton, more likely than not, moves on to the NFL. Doug Beaumont, WR -- Louisville He won't push Mario Urrutia or Harry Douglass for starting time, but Beaumont is projected to be pretty good. Kentucky's reigning Mr. Football, Beaumont looks to follow in the footsteps of the league's finest set of receivers. Expect to see Beaumont in three-receiver sets during the 2007 campaign. |
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. Ray Rice & Kordell Young will both be able to hide behind Anthony Davis; they could throw in a hidden Tim Brown on an end-around while they were at it.
10 years ago at the Stadium, the Rutgers linemen would always look small playing against Miami and Virginia Tech lines. That would no longer be the case today (and isn't the defection of those two schools to the "mighty" ACC looking a little silly in retrospect?).
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Posted at 4:56PM on Aug 15th 2007 by Beat Visitor