The 2020 recruiting class is in the books, which means it's time to start looking at which prospects can make an impact this season for their respective teams.
Every season, we see more and more true freshmen playing and adding value to their teams. This year should be no different, with quite a few recruits looking to come in and take advantage of the opportunity to earn a spot.
Here is a look at which prospects from the 2020 class could make an impact on the teams in Mark Schlabach's Way-Too-Early Top 25.
1. Clemson Tigers: DT Bryan Bresee
Bresee is one of two five-star defensive linemen in this class for Clemson, and he has a shot to be disruptive very early in his career. He is versatile enough that he can make an impact in a few different areas along the defensive line and as an interior player. Freshman Tyler Davis stepped up last season for the Tigers at defensive tackle, and Bresee can add another dimension and allow for more rotation along the line. He's not the only one from this class who could play early, but with how strong, athletic and impressive Bresee has been on every level, he fits the bill in this case.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes: WR Julian Fleming
The Buckeyes are losing receivers K.J. Hill, Binjimen Victor and Austin Mack from the roster and have an opportunity for a receiver such as Fleming to come in and contribute early. There are other receivers on the roster, but as Garrett Wilson showed last season, coach Ryan Day isn't afraid to let a freshman play often if he's the best option. Fleming is a bigger-bodied receiver, at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, and has a lot of physical tools that should help him assimilate to the college game quickly. Wide receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Gee Scott Jr. will also have an opportunity to help the offense, but Fleming seems to be a step ahead.
3. Alabama Crimson Tide: QB Bryce Young
It's not fair to peg Young as the next Tua Tagovailoa, but there are a lot of similarities between the two quarterbacks. With Tagovailoa off to the NFL, there's an opportunity for Young to come in and play early. Mac Jones has more experience, but it might be tough to keep Young off the field with what he's able to do with his arm and legs. Coming from Mater Dei High School in California, Young has competed and won at the highest level. There's no reason to think he can't do it at Alabama as well. Defensive tackle Timothy Smith will also have a shot at playing early, but Young could be the one to make the biggest difference.
4. LSU Tigers: TE Arik Gilbert
The Tigers have several candidates to contribute early with wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, defensive back Elias Ricks and a few others, but it would be impossible not to mention Gilbert. He's one of three tight ends ever to hold a five-star ranking, and at 6-foot-6, 255 pounds, Gilbert is a matchup nightmare. He's incredibly athletic for his size and has the ability to be a difference-maker in this offense. With LSU losing Thaddeus Moss at tight end, Gilbert should be able to help fill that void and then some.
5. Oregon Ducks: LB Justin Flowe
Oregon has signed the No. 1-ranked prospect from California two years in a row with defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux and now Flowe in the 2020 class. Flowe is a five-star inside linebacker prospect who is 6-foot-2, 225 pounds and a hitting machine. He has never lacked confidence and is able to back it up with his play. The Ducks are losing Troy Dye at linebacker, and with Bryson Young and La'Mar Winston Jr. also leaving, Oregon can use Flowe to replace Dye and get Mase Funa on the field at the same time to create a terrorizing pair of young players. Add in the potential of 2020 linebacker commit Noah Sewell with Flowe and Funa, as well as Thibodeaux, and the Ducks are starting to stack up talent.
6. Georgia Bulldogs: WR Arian Smith
This should really be every receiver Georgia landed in the 2020 class, since that's where a lot of the help is needed. The staff is adding Wake Forest quarterback transfer Jamie Newman to shore up a starter at that spot. While freshman WR George Pickens showed his ability to star in the offense, injuries have shown this roster needs more playmakers who can step up. That could come from ESPN 300 receivers Marcus Rosemy and Jermaine Burton, or three-stars Justin Robinson and Ladd McConkey, but Smith is a speedster who should be able to make an impact right away. He is 6-foot, 170 pounds, so he's not necessarily a small receiver who is fast, but he has a good combination of size and speed and should be featured early.
7. Florida Gators: DT Gervon Dexter
Including transfers, Florida added seven defensive linemen to its 2020 class, which says a lot about where the focus was and what the need was. Four of those prospects were ranked in the ESPN 300, and Dexter was the highest ranked among them all. A five-star tackle at 6-foot-6, 280 pounds, Dexter is a disruptive player and could help on the interior or the edge depending on the situation. He had 18 sacks his senior season in high school and is exactly what Florida needs along the defensive line.
8. Oklahoma Sooners: WR Marvin Mims
We could very well be talking about the defensive backs in this class with Bryson Washington, Kendall Dennis and Joshua Eaton, but the offense is what makes Oklahoma go. The Sooners are losing CeeDee Lamb, A.D. Miller, Lee Morris, Nick Basquine and Mykel Jones at receiver. Theo Howard transferred in, but he tore his Achilles. The staff has Jadon Haselwood, Theo Wease, Trejan Bridges and Charleston Rambo, but Mims could also make an impact in this offense. There has never been a lack of opportunities in Lincoln Riley's offense.
9. Penn State Nittany Lions: WR Keandre Lambert
Head coach James Franklin noted at his signing-day news conference that this team needs impact receivers, and the staff is adding five receivers in this 2020 class. Penn State loses its leading receiver in K.J. Hamler and needs more help in the passing game. Lambert is a 6-foot-1, 167-pound receiver who should be able to contribute this season. It's going to be tough to replace Hamler's production, but Lambert and some of the other receivers in this class will help create competition at the position and give the coaches more options.
10. Notre Dame Fighting Irish: TE Michael Mayer
This could be a two-player list for Notre Dame, with running back Chris Tyree having a good chance at contributing early as well. Tyree just needs to add size and he'll add a different dimension to Notre Dame's offense with his ability. Mayer, however, is a 6-foot-5, 235-pound tight end who should be able to create mismatch opportunities for Notre Dame's offense. With Cole Kmet leaving the roster, there is opportunity for Mayer to make a difference. Kmet was Notre Dame's second-leading receiver last season, so having another big option at tight end with Mayer is only a positive.
11. Texas A&M Aggies: WR Demond Demas
This is another team that could have multiple players listed. The Aggies could see corner Jaylon Jones contribute right away, and the defense certainly needs help in the secondary. But the offense is losing receivers Quartney Davis and Kendrick Rogers, so there is opportunity for Demas to make an impact. Demas is a 6-foot-2, 180-pound receiver who has speed, athleticism and can jump through the roof. It would be a big surprise if Demas doesn't see the field in some aspect in his first season.
12. Auburn Tigers: RB Tank Bigsby
Auburn saw its leading rusher, JaTarvious Whitlow, enter the transfer portal, and its third-leading rusher, Kam Martin, has expended his eligibility. Landing Bigsby proved to be more important than the staff knew when he originally committed. Now, Bigsby, who is the No. 20-ranked recruit overall, has a good shot at contributing in his first season. He's a 6-foot, 205-pound back nicknamed Tank. What else could you ask for in a running back?
13. Oklahoma State Cowboys: CB Korie Black
Oklahoma State allowed 267.1 passing yards per game last season. Help in the secondary is a need, and the staff landed five defensive backs in the class. Black is a 6-foot, 170-pound cornerback who might play his way onto the field this season for the Cowboys. He does have a few seasoned players in front of him, but the loss of cornerback A.J. Green opens up an opportunity.
14. Wisconsin Badgers: RB Jalen Berger
The Badgers are looking to replace Jonathan Taylor at running back. It's going to be nearly impossible to replace Taylor's production, but the staff has done an excellent job at the position. Unfortunately for the coaches, running back Bradrick Shaw announced his intention to transfer, which meant Berger's commitment was that much more important. He's a 6-foot, 187-pound recruit who should give the Wisconsin offense an option at running back.
15. Michigan Wolverines: WR A.J. Henning
The Wolverines are trying to shift the offense toward the "speed in space" philosophy offensive coordinator Josh Gattis is putting in place. The staff is losing Donovan Peoples-Jones and Tarik Black but is also returning Nico Collins, Ronnie Bell, Mike Sainristil and Giles Jackson. Henning is a perfect fit for what Michigan wants to do on offense, though, and is an incredible playmaker. He's a smaller receiver, at 5-foot-10, 175 pounds, but he's fast and is a big play waiting to happen.
16. Iowa State Cyclones: WR Daniel Jackson
Iowa State is losing receivers Deshaunte Jones and La'Michael Pettway, and while there are other receivers on the roster, there will be an opportunity to make an impact. Junior college receiver Xavier Hutchinson might have a leg up on Jackson because of his experience, but the 6-foot-1, 210-pound Jackson is a good receiver in his own right. Quarterback Brock Purdy is returning, and having more pass-catchers to go around will help keep this offense running at a high level.
17. Cincinnati Bearcats: WR Jadon Thompson
Cincinnati averaged only 182.3 passing yards per game last season, which was 107th among FBS programs. The team needs playmakers at wide receiver and help on the outside. Thompson could be a piece that helps add productivity for the offense. He's a 6-foot-1, 160-pound receiver who had been committed to Illinois before flipping to Cincinnati. Switching from a Big Ten team to an AAC team tells you about his talent level and what he can bring to Cincinnati's offense.
18. Boise State Broncos: ATH Austin Bolt
Bolt is an interesting prospect who played a number of positions in high school, from quarterback to safety to wide receiver. He is likely going to be a pass-catching tight end in Boise State's offense and could see the field early. He's 6-foot-4, 200 pounds and is very athletic for his size. A few other defensive prospects might fit the bill here too, but it seems as though Bolt's athleticism will help him find the field early.
19. Minnesota Golden Gophers: RB Ky Thomas
The Gophers have a lot of needs on defense, which could lead to linebacker Itayvion Brown or defensive end Jah Joyner making an impact, and punter Mark Crawford should play right away as well. But Thomas at running back has a shot to split carries early, as Minnesota's leading rusher, Rodney Smith, is on his way out. Thomas is a 5-foot-10, 185-pound back and the second-highest-ranked commit in the class for Minnesota. The defense might have more to replace, but Thomas has the talent to play early.
20. Baylor Bears: DE James Sylvester
Baylor was seventh in total sacks last season, but four of the team's five sack leaders are gone, including James Lockhart, Bravvion Roy and James Lynch. This team is going to need to replace that production, and Sylvester has an opportunity to help. Sylvester is a 6-foot-4, 225-pound defensive end, so he'll have to put on weight, but he brings a pass-rushing element and is the No. 232-ranked prospect overall in the class.
21. Memphis Tigers: WR Marcayll Jones
This one is tough because most of the prospects from this class who could contribute early are junior college prospects, who don't count for this exercise because they aren't true freshmen. Memphis will have a need for pass-catchers, and Jones will have an opportunity to help this offense. He does have some receivers ahead of him already on the roster and there's junior college receiver Kundarrius Taylor, but Jones could still make a difference.
22. North Carolina Tar Heels: DE Desmond Evans
North Carolina had a good season in 2019 but ranked No. 46 in total sacks with 31 on the season. The made defensive end a priority in this 2020 class, landing four defensive end recruits overall. Three of those commitments were ranked as ESPN 300 recruits with Evans, Myles Murphy, A.J. Beatty and Kaimon Rucker. Evans is the No. 2-ranked recruit overall and a pass-rusher who should be able to help fairly quickly. He's a 6-foot-6, 235-pound prospect, so he's going to have to add weight, but as long as he can get after the quarterback, it won't matter.
23. Iowa Hawkeyes: TE Elijah Yelverton
It's always tough to tell with Iowa who will contribute early, because the system in place for the Hawkeyes is more about development than playing early. There is an opportunity at tight end, however, and Yelverton has the tools to fill a need. He's a 6-foot-4, 225-pound prospect and will join Sam LaPorta at tight end. The offense will have a new quarterback, so having reliable pass-catchers at tight end will be key.
24. Texas Longhorns: RB Bijan Robinson
Texas has good depth at running back, but the team doesn't have a playmaker like Robinson. He ran for more than 7,000 yards and over 100 touchdowns in high school. You did not read that wrong, Robinson had more than 2,000 rushing yards three years in a row at Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson, Arizona. Robinson should see the field in some kind of role and make an impact on offense.
25. Tennessee Volunteers: WR Malachi Wideman
Tennessee ranked No. 75 in pass yards per game last season and is losing receivers Marquez Callaway, Jauan Jennings and Tyler Byrd. Wideman is a 6-foot-4, 185-pound receiver, ranked No. 253 overall. The Vols were able to flip him from Florida State, and it was a big addition for the offense. The staff is going to need help from its receivers and tight ends, and Wideman has an opportunity to come in and make a difference right away.