Examining which freshmen could have the biggest impact this fall




College football’s 2021 National Signing Day is officially in the books. Alabama signed the best class in modern recruiting history, with Ohio State, Georgia, Clemson, Oregon, LSU, USC and Texas A&M rounding out the next tier of top hauls for '21. Every FBS program inked recruits to a National Letter of Intent on Wednesday or in the early period in December, which means coaching staffs should have a good snapshot of how their program looks for the upcoming season. And if teams didn't fill their needs on the recruiting trail, a trip to the transfer portal could be in order. With spring practice just around the corner for all 130 teams, the focus around the nation now shifts to the upcoming season and how incoming freshmen or junior college recruits fit into the depth chart. 

 

There will be several impact performers from the 2021 class this season, and it’s impossible to narrow the names down to just 20. However, now that signing day is complete, let’s take a look at 20 (early) names to watch in 2021 and how they could impact their team in on-field action. 

 

College Football's Top 20 Impact True Freshmen for 2021

Tommy Brockermeyer/JC Latham, OL, Alabama

New Alabama line coach Doug Marrone has plenty of talent to work with this offseason, but with three full-time starters gone, the best offensive line from the 2020 season has to be rebuilt. Brockermeyer and Latham ranked as five-star prospects by the 247Sports Composite and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see either take the field for the first snap in ’21.

 

Jacorey Brooks/Agiye Hall, WR, Alabama

Brooks and Hall are two players in an impressive receiving haul for Nick Saban’s program in 2021. Brooks ranks as a five-star prospect on the 247Sports Composite after catching 99 passes for 1,281 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2019. Hall, Christian Leary and JoJo Earle are all four-star prospects who should join Brooks in pushing for snaps, especially with DeVonta Smith departing for the NFL.

 

Derrick Davis/Sage Ryan, S, LSU

LSU is set at cornerback with Derek Stingley anchoring the secondary, but the defense could use help at safety with JaCoby Stevens off to the NFL and some overall inconsistency at the position in 2020. Davis and Ryan are both four-star prospects and ranked in the top 10 of incoming defensive backs by the 247Sports Composite.