As college football kicks off this weekend, and most of the premiere programs ready for the start of their seasons next week, here are the five most exciting freshman in the country to keep an eye on.
JoJo Earle, WR, Alabama
Freshmen receivers have made an impact for Nick Saban before, and the speedy and shifty 5-foot-10 Earle has a chance to follow the likes of DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle. In the least, he will be a factor in the return game and likely will contribute as a receiver at some point.
Blake Fisher, OT, Notre Dame
A top-shelf recruit, Fisher is projected to become the first freshman at Notre Dame to start the season opener at offensive tackle since 2006. Coach Brian Kelly has already compared the 6-6, 335-pound Fisher to former Irish star Ronnie Stanley, an NFL All-Pro with the Ravens.
Korey Foreman, DE, USC
Foreman didn’t arrive at USC until the summer, but he’s so advanced, this year’s second-rated recruit, according to 247Sports.com, has already earned first-team reps. The Trojans won’t be able to keep the 6-5, 265-pound dynamo off the field, whether it’s using him as a standup outside linebacker or defensive end with his hand in the dirt.
Will Shipley, RB, Clemson
ACC all-time leading rusher Travis Etienne’s departure for the NFL created a massive hole in the Clemson backfield that one player won’t be capable of filling on his own. Shipley, the nation’s top-rated all-purpose running back by Rivals.com who was also a lacrosse star in high school, will get a chance to at least be part of the solution.
C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Few freshmen have more pressure than Stroud. The redshirt freshman takes over for Justin Fields at Ohio State, where expectations are always through the roof, and has elite prospects waiting in the wings in case he fails. Now the good news: Stroud gets to throw to arguably the best receiver tandem in the country in Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson.
