College football programs around the nation look to the junior college ranks to try to improve depth, find experienced starters and search for instant impact.
The loaded 2019 junior college class featured players such as California OLB Kuony Deng, Ole Miss LB Lakia Henry, Georgia CB D.J. Daniel, Ole Miss DE Sam Williams, Oklahoma RB Rhamondre Stevenson, Texas A&M CB Elijah Blades and Texas LB Juwan Mitchell, who all played key roles in big games this season.
A new group that includes some familiar names from past recruiting classes has emerged. With the release of the ESPN JC 50 rankings, here's a look at some of the names you'll hear a lot next college football season.
Big names for 2020
DT Perrion Winfrey: The Oklahoma Sooners won one of the key junior recruiting battles over Alabama, Texas, Baylor and many others for an impact defensive tackle. The 6-foot-4, 305-pound Illinois native will bring a quick first step and the ability to be an interior disruptor to an Oklahoma program improving on defense under first-year defensive coordinator Alex Grinch.
CB Brian George: One of the most intriguing junior college recruiting battles is the battle for the 6-foot-2, 190-pound cornerback out of Highland Community College. The Sunshine State native is expected to choose between Auburn, Texas A&M and Alabama, with Kentucky and home state Miami also having been in the mix. With Auburn set to endure some key losses in the secondary, George is a potentially impactful recruit for the Tigers.
WR Danny Gray: The TCU commit has long been an explosive and fast receiver prospect out of Dallas, and he will be returning close to home after spurning offers from Auburn, Florida State, Tennessee, Mississippi State, Utah, Washington and Baylor. Gray will take his quickness off the line, 4.5 40-yard dash speed and sub-10.8 100-meter time and be a key vertical threat for Gary Patterson as the Horned Frogs look to ascend in the Big 12 standings in 2020.
WR Xavier Hutchinson: Iowa State is fighting Nebraska and Boise State to hold on to an impact wide receiver who will be enrolling at the school he signs with for spring practice. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Sunshine State native is the type of big target with sure hands that would add a key piece to the Cyclones' offense in 2020.
DE Jordan Davis: The former ESPN 300 and Under Armour All-America Game alum signed with Alabama out of high school but had to go to junior college after failing to qualify. Davis has since been committed to both Alabama and Tennessee, before settling on Mississippi State. The 6-foot-5, 245-pound former Memphis area star will enroll in January and push for a starting job quickly.
Top junior college bounce-backs
WR Omar Manning: The TCU transfer has been a wrecking ball at wide receiver for Kilgore Junior College. At 6-foot-3, 215-pounds with 4.55 speed and a physical nature on the field, Manning presents a real problem for cornerbacks. The former ESPN 300 prospect appeared to be a near lock for Nebraska, but an offer by Texas A&M on Dec. 9 could be a game-changer. TCU remains in the picture as well.
DE Guy Thomas: The bounce-back that signed with Nebraska has been committed to Colorado since late June. The versatile edge rusher -- he can play defensive end or outside linebacker depending on the scheme -- has turned into a bit of a battle for the Buffaloes after the former Sunshine State prospect made an official visit to Maryland on Dec. 6.
OLB Maureese Wren: The former ESPN 300 prospect signed with Louisiana Tech out of high school in the Dallas area in hopes of playing wide receiver at the next level. Wren has since realized that defense is where his future is at the college level; he is a quickly developing edge rusher with the athletic ability to drop in coverage. The former Missouri verbal made an official visit to Louisville in late November and is also considering Texas Tech among others.