Drafting that next great freshman is what makes it all worth it. Sure, our houses are worth less than they were ten years ago, and thanks to gas prices, our wave runners look nice and shiny sitting in our garage. And even after we see the market has taken another hit, nabbing the next big thing in college fantasy football takes all the pain away. Doesn't it?
Maybe we've fallen in love with coachspeak, or maybe we've spent too much time following the arms race known as recruiting. However this summer seems to be providing quite a few freshmen who may not only become stars in the years to come, but can make a large impact in less than two weeks.
In this three-part piece we'll take a last pre-draft day peek at many of the freshmen we've been discussing, and those whom we think will make a splash in 2008. Some caught our attention on signing day, and others upon early enrollment for spring ball. Still some have stood out in the past couple weeks and have given their head coaches enough reasons to put that red shirt away.
Quarterbacks
On many occasions we've discussed the limited impact most true freshman quarterbacks play, and this remains the case. Still some of caught our attention already, and though they may serve as backups or in situational duty to start, there is the potential for serious playing time and production in the very near future.
Bo Levi Mitchell, SMU
True freshman Bo Levi Mitchell from Katy, Texas leads for the starting quarterback position at SMU.
Sports
With head coach June Jones now at the helm, Mitchell goes from being unranked to being in our top 30 quarterbacks for 2008. Stay tuned though, who knows how this race will end up.
Jaybo Shaw, Georgia Tech
Shaw appeared on our radar in December when he became one of the first to make a verbal commitment to Paul Johnson. Having always viewed Johnson as one of the best in the business, we figured if he offered, then he must've seen something. Of course the fact that Rivals.com had Shaw listed as a top-ten dual threat national quarterback also helped to pique our interest. Throughout summer camp Shaw has done nothing to diminish the thoughts that this kid is perfectly suited to run this offense.
Although he's bulked up, he's still a bit on the small side, and for an offense where the quarterback gets hit every snap, this is a bit disconcerting. Still Shaw is accustomed to running this very type of offense, and as a heady kid, he'll know when and how to save himself some punishment.
At this point Josh Nesbitt is the starting quarterback, and even though he's dealing with some injury issues himself, Nesbitt should be at the helm when the season kicks off. If you do invest a draft pick in Nesbitt, be certain to also nab his freshman teammate, who is by no means an understudy.
Robert Griffin, Baylor
As if there wasn't enough current and future quarterbacking talent in the Big XII, Art Briles had to go ahead and bring top-flight recruit Robert Griffin along to Waco. As of this very moment Griffin is embroiled in a battle with incumbent Blake Szymanski and Miami refugee Kirby Freeman. Whatever Griffin lacks in experience he makes up for in skill, and the fact that his current head coach owes nothing to the veterans.
Here's what we know: Griffin will see the field, even if it begins as a "slash" role. Griffin can flat out fly. At minimum Griffin will get the opportunity to quarterback the team on occasion. Griffin is coached by Art Briles, a coach who knows a thing or two about offensive success.
Put these four certainties together and we have a future top-flight fantasy quarterback on our hands.
Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State
There may be no better example of Ohio State's incredible run than the fact that they nabbed this super recruit and he currently sits 3rd on their depth chart. Had Pryor signed with the majority of national programs, including their rivals to the north, the phenom would be prepping as a full-time starter while serving as the face of the athletic program. Yet for now the Buckeyes are content to let Todd Boeckman and even Joe Bauserman man the controls for an extended period. For now.
Terrelle Pryor will play. He will play in a role in the game plan at USC. And he'll make big plays. Our guess is that Terrelle Pryor will look to make big passing plays in the early season tilts against Youngstown State and Ohio, in hopes of moving some Trojans out of the box when he trots onto the field on September 13th. And we're fully expecting Brent Musberger to pull a Beano Cook that Saturday evening and guarantee multiple Heismans for the freshman from PA.
We anticipate Pryor playing a key role for the Buckeye offense throughout the season. Only if things go horribly wrong will he become the full-time guy. However this year will serve as a precursor of great things to come, as the fantasy owner will be allowed to "wet his beak a little" and dream of his sophomore campaign. Get him while you can.
Randall Cobb, Kentucky
Sharing a name with such a great heavyweight boxer and film star cannot be easy. However Kentucky freshman Randall (Don't call me Tex) Cobb appears hell-bent on making a name for himself (and an impact for the Wildcats this season) and thanks to some serious talent (and Curtis Pulley's poor decision making skills) we may feel this impact as soon as end of this month.
Initially it was expected that Cobb would see a bunch of reps at wide receiver, but those plans have changed; he's first and foremost a quarterback who may occasionally be split wide. Mike Hartline currently resides in starting quarterback land, however with Cobb in the fold we're hoping that Hartline decided to rent on a week-to-week basis.
Based on summer camp reports, here are others who may make an immediate impact:
Jordan Jefferson, LSU: He's in the mix for the starting job.
Justin Feagin, Michigan: Needs to learn one key aspect of quarterbacking: throwing the ball.
Andrew Luck, Stanford: Word out of camp is that Luck has been impressive. If the Cardinal struggle then Harbaugh will have no problems making the switch.
Riley Dodge, North Texas: It's not only the offensive system, it's daddy's offensive system. Eventually he will see the field.
Definitely next year:
Blaine Gabbert, Missouri: Chase Daniel's understudy. Young lad can wing it.
Matt Scott, Arizona: Will battle Michigan State transfer Nick Foles for the right to take over the offense in 2009.
Maybe next year:
MarQueis Gray, Minnesota: Can't keep him out for two years.
Down the road:
E.J. Manual, Florida State: As much as we love him, he is still behind at least three others on the depth chart. Including two that have several years of eligibility remaining.
Aramis Hillary, South Carolina: I think Spurrier wants to adopt him already.
Dane Crist, Notre Dame: New savior arrives annually.
Up next...the running backs. And there's a nice list of guys who will make their presence felt in 2008.
