College football's 2020 recruiting classes have been signed with more and more prospects enrolling early in school. That translates to more first-year players providing an immediate impact, which in turn gives teams the opportunity to ascend up the rankings ahead of schedule.
How will this recruiting cycle affect the 2020 College Football Playoff? For a handful of teams that didn't reach the playoff last season, the 2020 additions could translate in a major way.
Oregon Ducks
Despite the loss of quarterback Justin Herbert and four starting offensive linemen, the Ducks make the list due to continued strong recruiting by Mario Cristobal and staff.
Last year, it was No. 1-ranked prospect Kayvon Thibodeaux and ESPN 300 wide receiver Mycah Pittman that made a splash, and the 2020 No. 13-ranked recruiting class features a number of prospects who could be factors in Oregon making a playoff push.
Five-star inside linebacker Justin Flowe and ESPN 300 linebacker Noah Sewell both make the list of potential impact players, with Sewell having already enrolled. Despite talent returning in the defensive backfield, No. 2-ranked cornerback Dontae Manning has an elite skill set, and ESPN 300 CB Luke Hill will suit up with advanced footwork and technique. Another defensive back who could emerge quickly is ESPN JC50 safety Bennett Williams, who has already enrolled for the spring. The same can be said for ESPN JC50 offensive guard and early enrollee T.J. Bass. The fact that ESPN 300 quarterback Jay Butterfield is a spring enrollee should pave the way to provide needed depth at the position.
Penn State Nittany Lions
James Franklin continues to recruit at a high level, signing the No. 12 class in February. Despite some key defensive losses following the 2019 season, the Nittany Lions return a talented roster coming off an 11-2 season while also adding some impact players.
Though he isn't an early enrollee, ESPN 300 outside linebacker Curtis Jacobs should factor in early due to his natural ability to drop in coverage with elite ball skills at the position. ESPN 300 defensive tackle Cole Brevard is already enrolled and will be positioned to provide key depth and snaps.
Like Brevard, four-star wide receiver Keandre Lambert and Jaden Dottin are already on campus and will take part in spring practice. Both will have ample opportunity to make an instant impact. ESPN 300 versatile playmaker Caziah Holmes is another already on campus, and his speed could factor in quickly in the return game, as well as in the slot or out of the backfield. Long and rangy defensive backs Enzo Jennings and Joseph Johnson are two more four-star prospects already on campus who add strength.
Florida Gators
Twenty-one wins in two seasons, the return of a number of key players next season -- including quarterback Kyle Trask -- and two straight top-10 recruiting classes have Dan Mullen and Florida positioned to make a playoff push.
The position hit the most by graduations and departures is wide receiver, and the Gators signed two ESPN 300 wideouts who are expected to make an instant impact. Xzavier Henderson, the younger brother of former Gators corner CJ Henderson, brings 6-foot-3 size and elite athletic ability for his size, and 6-foot-4 Jaquavion Fraziars is a physical presence who plays through contact and wins in traffic.
Two early enrollees on the offensive line who could factor in quickly are tackle Issiah Walker and guard Joshua Braun. Florida hauled in an impressive class of defensive linemen led by instant-impact five-star Gervon Dexter. Antwaun Powell, Princely Umanmielen and Johnnie Brown could provide valuable snaps. Powell is already on campus and is the best edge rusher of the group. While there is a lot of talent in the secondary in Gainesville, ESPN 300 Jahari Rogers is already on campus and is elite when changing direction and breaking on the ball.
Auburn Tigers
The Tigers signed the No. 7 class in February, and the group full of defensive talent will help make up for some heavy front seven losses, thus positioning Gus Malzahn and staff to make a run at the 2020 playoff.
ESPN 300 defensive end Zykeivous Walker was one of the nation's most improved prospects as a senior, is already on campus and will be an impact player. ESPN JC50 Deandre Butler and ESPN 300 tackle Jay Hardy are also expected to be provide key depth and factor into the rotation.
There are impact opportunities at defensive back as well, and Under Armour All-America Game standout Ladarius Tennison is physically ready to make an impact. ESPN 300 safety Chris Thompson Jr. is another early enrollee. Coveted junior college corner Marco Domio won't get to Auburn until the summer. A great group of linebackers are also headed to the Tigers in Wesley Steiner, Desmond Tisdol, Romello Height and Cameron Riley, with Height having an ideal frame and edge rush ability.
Like the defensive front, the offensive line lost a number of starters and key players but help is on the way. ESPN JC50 tackle Kilian Zierer is on campus for the spring, as are guard Tate Johnson and center Avery Jernigan. Junior college OT Brenden Coffey could factor in early as well, but he is not an early enrollee. ESPN 300 versatile running back Tank Bigsby will play right away, as could tight end Brandon Frazier. ESPN 300 Kobe Hudson is one of 10 early enrollees and will factor into the wide receiver position.
Tennessee Volunteers
A sleeper team, Jeremy Pruitt signed a class in February that will bring more impact talent to Knoxville as the Volunteers continue to build a more balanced roster coming off an 8-5 turnaround.
More pieces on the defensive line are on the way with ESPN 300 Dominic Bailey already in Knoxville. Tyler Baron and Morven Joseph will be there in the summer. ESPN 300 Keshawn Lawrence should provide help immediately in the secondary at safety, and ESPN 300 linebacker Len'Neth Whitehead is expected to contend for playing time quickly as well.
Two wide receivers are expected to make an impact, especially in the return game, in USC grad transfer Velus Jones Jr. and speedy four-star Jalin Hyatt. ESPN 300 wide receiver Malachi Wideman is an elite athlete. ESPN 300 quarterback Harrison Bailey is one of four early enrollees. The schedule is not Tennessee's friend in 2020, but the level of talent being infused into the programs at premium positions make the Vols a dark horse.