Quite a few true freshmen became household names last college football season, including North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell, LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., USC quarterback Kedon Slovis and Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton.
While some of the prospects from the 2019 recruiting cycle got off to a fast start, it doesn't mean they are the class' only impact players. Plenty of other players have an opportunity to make a difference for their teams this season.
Here are some of the second-year players who should take on bigger roles and impact their teams in 2020.
WR Garrett Wilson and DE Zach Harrison
Ohio State Buckeyes
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: 17, 10
Wilson played in all 14 games last season for Ohio State and finished with 432 receiving yards and five touchdowns. His best game, statistically, came against rival Michigan, when he hauled in 118 yards and a touchdown. He made some outstanding catches throughout the season, showing off his playmaking ability and why Ohio State made him such a recruiting priority.
With three of Ohio State's five leading wideouts off to the NFL, Wilson has a chance to take on a bigger role and be an integral part of the offense. Having spent an entire season with quarterback Justin Fields, that added time and chemistry will only help as Wilson looks to take the next step in his career.
On the other side of the ball, the Buckeyes and defensive line coach Larry Johnson have had an excellent track record at defensive end the past few seasons, so it's fair to say a five-star defensive end in Zach Harrison could be an impact player this season.
Harrison filled in when Chase Young was suspended for two games and played in all 14 games. He had 24 total tackles, 3.5 sacks and five tackles for loss in a backup role. As a starter, Harrison has an opportunity to become a dominant player like so many defensive ends before him at Ohio State.
S Daxton Hill
Michigan Wolverines
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: 13
Hill, a five-star recruit out of Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, committed to Michigan, flipped to Alabama and then flipped back, signing with the Wolverines. He played in 13 games last season, but didn't earn a lot of playing time early on.
As the season progressed, he started to see more of the field, finishing with 36 total tackles, one interception, three pass breakups and two fumble recoveries. With safety Josh Metellus off to the NFL, Hill should be one of Michigan's starting safeties in 2020.
RB Jerrion Ealy
Ole Miss Rebels
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: 19
Ealy was the second leading rusher for Ole Miss last season behind quarterback John Rhys Plumlee. Though he will have to adjust to a new head coach and offensive coordinator this season, he will fit right in with Lane Kiffin and Jeff Lebby's offense.
Ealy is a multi-sport athlete, also a highly coveted baseball prospect, who had 722 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground, while also recording 317 kick return yards and one return touchdown. Ealy should get more carries in 2020 and should see his numbers steadily increase as both he and Plumlee are back on offense.
DT Zacch Pickens
South Carolina Gamecocks
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: 20
Pickens was highly thought of heading into his freshman season. He played in every game for South Carolina, but was behind Javon Kinlaw and Kobe Smith on the depth chart.
Pickens only had 16 tackles last season, but he had the opportunity to ease into his career and learn from the players ahead of him. With Kinlaw headed to the NFL, Pickens should play a bigger role on defense and has all the tools to make a big leap this coming season.
LB Mase Funa and DB Mykael Wright
Oregon Ducks
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: 53, 25
The Ducks have a strong, young nucleus on defense, so it didn't seem right to just put one name here. Kayvon Thibodeaux felt like he belongs on the list of players who have already made a name for themselves, so he's not listed. Funa and Wright, both ESPN 300 prospects from California, turned heads in their first season, but still have room to make a jump in 2020.
Funa participated in 14 games and had 26 tackles, four sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss in his first season. At 6-foot-2, 260 pounds, Funa should be able to take the next step at the Stud position for Oregon.
Wright had a more limited role on defense than Thibodeaux and Funa as a freshman despite playing in 14 games. When he was on the field, he totaled one interception and four pass breakups with 21 total tackles. He also made a big impact on special teams with 380 kick return yards and two touchdowns. Of all the young defensive players, Wright might be able to make the biggest leap this season.
QB Spencer Rattler
Oklahoma Sooners
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: 29
With Jalen Hurts off to the NFL, Oklahoma's starting quarterback spot is open for the taking. Rattler hasn't officially been named the starter, and Tanner Mordecai is still on the roster, but it's believed that Rattler will win the job.
He was the No. 1 ranked dual-threat quarterback in the 2019 class and is a perfect fit for Lincoln Riley's offense. He isn't afraid to make a play and has the ability to beat opponents with his arm, but will also take off running if he needs to. Rattler could be the next great quarterback at Oklahoma, and this 2020 season could be the start to an excellent career.
WR Jordan Whittington
Texas Longhorns
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: 40
Whittington was a four-star prospect in 2019 who originally came to Texas as a running back. He converted to wide receiver, but re-aggravated a groin injury and missed all but one game of the season.
Whittington is back to 100 percent now and is in position to help the Texas offense in a big way. He is versatile and gives the Longhorns another option as an H receiver to go along with Jake Smith. With those two on the inside and Whittington having big-play ability, he should be able to make a big impact this season.
CB Kaiir Elam
Florida Gators
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: 59
CJ Henderson was a big part of Florida's secondary at corner last season, but he was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL draft. That means Elam's role will increase, and the Gators will need him to step up and help replace some of Henderson's production.
Elam had an excellent first season with three interceptions, four pass breakups and 11 total tackles. He showed Florida coaches what made him a four-star prospect out of high school. He has the size, ability and now the experience to step up and be an even bigger part of Florida's defense in 2020.
TE Baylor Cupp
Texas A&M Aggies
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: 65
Many believed Cupp would have an immediate impact for the Aggies last season, but a season-long injury prevented him from seeing the field. Instead, fellow 2019 tight end signee Jalen Wydermyer stepped up with 447 yards and six touchdowns.
Now healthy, Cupp should be able to make a big impact and give Texas A&M an outstanding duo with Wydermyer. Cupp is a 6-foot-6, 245-pound tight end who will create matchup problems because of his size alone. Getting him on the field will boost the Aggies' offense tremendously.
DE/LB Derick Hall
Auburn Tigers
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: 140
Hall saw action in the first game of the season in 2019 against Oregon, but ended up missing a few games due to injury in the middle of the season. He got off to a slower start from a stats standpoint, but once he returned from his injury, he started to flash his potential.
Playing at the Buck defensive end, linebacker role, Hall had eight tackles in the last five games of the season and finished with 13 total tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. He's going to have competition at the position with Big Kat Bryant and T.D. Moultry on the roster, but should have an opportunity to make a big impact on this defense in his second season.
WR Joe Ngata
Clemson Tigers
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: 159
Wide receiver Tee Higgins is in the NFL after a 1,167-yard, 13-touchdown season. Justyn Ross will miss the 2020 season with a spinal injury. Someone is going to have to step in. Enter the 6-foot-3, 215-pound Ngata.
Ngata had 17 receptions for 240 yards and three touchdowns last season for the Tigers. With his size, he should have an opportunity to see more passes thrown his way. Amari Rodgers also returns, but Ngata should see his numbers go up.
OL Dontae Lucas
Florida State Seminoles
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: 212
Florida State's offensive line has struggled the past few seasons, but Lucas was a bright spot in 2019. He played in 11 games as a true freshman on the interior and had a good season despite the rest of the line having some consistency issues.
Lucas suffered an injury in the Sun Bowl but, by all accounts, it looks as though his recovery shouldn't have a huge impact on this upcoming season. With a new coaching staff, Lucas has an opportunity to help elevate this offensive line. If he can build on his first season, Lucas should be a staple of the line in 2020.
RB Eric Gray
Tennessee Volunteers
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: 263
Fifty-six of Gray's 109 carries came in three games, but those three games happened to be his best. Remember: Against Vanderbilt, Gray had 246 yards and three touchdowns on 25 rush attempts.
Gray split carries with Tyson Chandler, who is returning this season, and Tim Jordan, who is no longer with the team. With the running back room shrinking, Gray should see his carries increase in 2020 and should also see his production increase as the Vols are bringing back a talented offensive line with Trey Smith, Brandon Kennedy, Wanya Morris, Darnell Wright, Jerome Carvin and transfer Cade Mays.
With that many options along the offensive line, Gray should have some big holes to run through in 2020.
WR Drake London
USC Trojans
2019 ESPN 300 ranking: 277
London had 567 receiving yards and five touchdowns last season for the Trojans. Michael Pittman Jr. led all receivers for USC last season and is off to the NFL. With Amon-Ra St. Brown and Tyler Vaughns, who were second and third in receiving, returning, London should have an opportunity at a bigger role.
London showed improvement throughout the season and finished the regular season against UCLA with eight catches for a team-high 142 yards and a touchdown. Bru McCoy, another wide receiver from the 2019 class, could also fit the bill here, but London has more experience and showed development late last season that should continue into 2020.