Freshman to Keep an Eye On

Which freshman will be this year's Vontaze Burfict? (AP)

Every college football season there are a number of true freshman or junior college transfers who come in right away and make an impact. So with the start of fall camp just a few weeks away we thought we would break down and give you a little preview of the previous recruiting class for each Pac-10 program and maybe give you a few names people expect to make an impact and maybe a few that might surprise you.

Arizona

The Arizona Wildcats are coming off a relatively successful season and return a lot of talent to potentially compete in the undistinguishable Pac-10. With stars at quarterback and running back as well as along the defensive line but a few questions left unanswered in other places, there is a possibility that a freshman or two could have an impact. The most obvious player signed in the 2010 recruiting class would be JC transfer Dexter Ransom. Ransom is a rangy 6’4 215 pound receiver out of Blinn C.C. which is one of the best JC programs around. With a few years of college ball under his belt don’t be surprised if you see Ransom get into camp and be in contention to start by the time September rolls around. Another player to keep an eye on is local product Marquis Flowers. Flowers was a U.S. Army All-American who at 6’3 and 210 pounds was recruited to Arizona to be a safety. With his size and athleticism, and at a position where freshman tend to get opportunities, Flowers could end up being a key component to helping Arizona smell roses.

Arizona State

The Sun Devils need a lot of help in a lot of places. Where they don’t need help is middle linebackers where last year a true freshman in Vontaze Burfict was one of the only bright spots in an otherwise gloomy year for coach Dennis Erickson. With another rebuilding year on the horizon the possibility for younger guys to get playing time is very real. Offensive tackle Brice Schwab out of Palomar C.C. was once a Trojan commit but switched to ASU late in the game recognizing he had a good chance to start from day one. At 6’8 and over 300 pounds he has the perfect frame to step in at left tackle immediately. With no clear cut favorite to run away with the running back position freshman Deantre Lewis has a good shot to not redshirt. Coming from the same Norco program that produced Toby Gerheart, Lewis has the size and speed to be able to threaten the older guys in camp.

California

The Golden Bears are coming off a disappointing season and most pundits see no reason this season will be any different. However with a more experienced offensive line and a senior QB in Kevin Riley there is hope in Strawberry Canyon from within the program that this can be the year all the pieces finally click. With a strong running game from Shane Vereen and co. the Bears need help at receiver and they believe they got it in a few ways. The first is from one time Alabama commit Keenan Allen who hails from North Carolina. The All-American super athlete who also will see time at DB has size, speed, and superior body control that will allow him to be a special player whether that is this season or down the road. Since receiver is the biggest area of need, the Bears signed five of them in this class including Coleman Edmond out of Pierce C.C. the one time UCLA track athlete is expected to contribute in the return game as well as out wide for Tedford and offensive co-ordinator Andy Ludwig.

Oregon

The Ducks are favored to repeat as champions in the Pac-10 but that doesn’t mean that there won’t be opportunities for young guys to step up. They closed off the 2010 recruiting cycle very strongly bringing in a talented group of players with potential to keep the ball rolling long after the 2010 season. With the spread option offense they run, quick running backs with good vision a la LaMichael James are important. Therefore Duck fans will love Lache Seastrunk, the All-American youtube phenom from Temple, Texas. Seastrunk’s arrival in college has been long anticipated and odds are every college football fan in America will know by the conclusion of his freshman season. The defensive backfield and more specifically the cornerback position is one that is going to be competitive this fall. Terrance Mitchell is a 5’11 corner from Sacramento who graduated early to enroll in time for spring ball, expect to see his name in the rotation this year along with fellow freshman Dior Mathis from Detroit.

Oregon State

With the departure of Pete Carroll from USC to the NFL the title of best talent evaluator now gets placed firmly on the shoulders of Mike Riley. Every year they are towards the bottom of the recruiting rankings in the Pac-10 yet somehow they always end up towards the top of the final standings. Despite the lack of “star power” when it comes to their 2010 class as per the recruiting services, expect this class to be no different then previous classes in that they will over achieve and continue the success that Riley has had. Because Riley puts such a premium on player development it is tough to project who will potentially succeed as a true freshman. With that being said Shaydon Akuna out of Kapolei, HI is a missile at the outside linebacker position. He fits perfectly into Mark Banker’s defense and has a great opportunity to fill in for departed senior leader Keaton Kristick. You can never have enough quality defensive linemen and Fred Thompson out of Oakland Tech high school is a monster on the inside at 6’4 290 pounds. He has the size to be able to contribute right away and could be expected to eat up blockers in the middle for players like Akuna to make tackles.

Stanford

The Cardinal are building upon the first successful year they have had in quite some time. Jim Harbaugh and staff continue to bring in a bevy of talented prep players and this year was no different as they signed a number of players with the ability to compete for playing time. Last season Shayne Skov made a huge impact starting a number of games at the outside linebacker position so you know that Harbaugh is willing to play freshman if they give him the best chance to win. The player with the best chance at playing time will be Blake Lueders a one time Notre Dame recruit. This 6’5 250 pound defensive end is a monster as a strong side defensive end and would provide instant help in the run game as he comes into camp already with the necessary size to play the position in a 4-3 defense. Also, with the departure of Gerheart to the NFL, Anthony Wilkerson a bruising 210 pound back from Tustin, CA and Ricky Seale a 5’9 scat back from Escondido will compete to take the load off Heisman darkhorse QB Andrew Luck.

UCLA

Similar to Stanford, UCLA is coming off a successful season with a bowl game appearance and victory for the first time under Rick Neuheisel. Despite their previous lack of on-field success, the Bruins have recruited extremely well. The obvious answer to the question of whom should be expected to play as a freshman is the Gatorade National Player of the Year; Malcom Jones. Jones is a 210 pound running back out of Oaks Christian high school, the same school that produced Jimmy Clausen among others. The All-American clearly has the size but also has the balance, vision, and necessary intangibles to be able to handle the transition to college ball. Owamagbe Odighizuwa or “Owa” for those of us without Nigerian decent was considered one of, if not the best weak side defensive ends in the nation. Despite having groin problems this summer, the Portland, Or native is expected to be a star in Westwood sooner rather then later.

USC

This just in, USC can recruit. According to Rivals.com, USC had one of, if not the best recruiting classes of all time. Instead of picking one or two players to focus on you could easily close your eyes and pick a name out of a hat and assume that player will be contributing this fall. Robert Woods, a safety/wide receiver from Serra high school in southern california was considered to be the best athlete in the country by many and has Charles Woodson like talent similar to Cal signee Keenan Allen. At 6’2 and 180 pounds with 46 second 400 meter dash time, Woods athleticism coupled with freakish ball skills is going to enable him to be one of the Pac-10′s best for the next 4 years no matter which side of the ball he decides to play on.

Washington

Steve Sarkisian proved he learned a thing or two from Pete Carroll when they beat the Trojans on a last second field goal this season. However, he may have learned the most when it comes to recruiting. The Huskies signed a number of talented players who figure to be in the mix this season. Sione Potoae is a massive 6’3 285 defensive tackle from in-state Lakewood high school, the All-American is a force in the middle and with the rotation that defensive lines are usually run on, expect too see him at some point this year. It is often tough to project a kid’s position from high school to college. This isn’t the case with Victor Burnett, a 6’1 230 pound athlete from Culver City, CA who has middle linebacker written all over him. His frame will instantly put him in the mix and if he can learn the playbook he most likely will get significant playing time.

Washington State

There isn’t much to get excited about in Pullman these days. However, the folks up there are relatively positive about the direction of the program despite the two previous years with a grand total of two wins. The need for any type of playmaker is desperate and they may have gotten a steal or two with the signing of two Northern California tailbacks. Ricky Galvin is a bit undersized at around 5’8 and 170 pounds but if he gets in space he is very dangerous. If he can add a few pounds before camp he will have an opportunity to be used in the return game as well as certain packages that involve getting him to the outside. Devonte Butler from Grant high school in Sacramento somehow went his career without being heavily recriuted. The more classic of the two as far as the running back position goes, the 5’11 Butler ran for around 30 touchdowns his senior season and brings a state championship and winning mentality to Pullman. If either or both of these two athletes are able to have the type of impact they are capable of, things may be looking up in Pullman afterall.