Impact freshmen: Pac-12
Impact freshmen:
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The No. 1-rated cornerback in the 2015 class would likely be an immediate
starter on any Pac-12 team except USC, which has Adoree' Jackson
and Kevon Seymour manning the edges. Marshall should still see plenty of time in the
Trojans' defense, though, given his ability to cover slot receivers man-to-man
and willingness to lend some help near the line of scrimmage. When USC isn't
utilizing him at the nickel spot, 'Biggie' could fill in for the dynamic
Jackson, who figures to have an increased role on the offensive side of the ball
and might require a breather or two during games. Despite the depth, Marshall is
just too technically advanced and ready physically to keep off the field. -- West analyst Blair Angulo
3
LB
Arriving on campus in time for spring practice helped Smith tremendously and
position coach Peter Sirmon welcomed the former four-star prospect with open
arms knowing the defense has to replace inside linebacker Hayes Pullard, who had
been a leader for the group the last few years. Smith shined in the spring and
earned some first-team reps during fall camp, and there is no question the
Trojans intend to use him quite a bit this season. Smith's ascension came as a
bit of a surprise, especially given the presence of Porter Gustin, John Houston
and Osa Masina in the same class, but the middle linebacker has shown enough
versatility to earn meaningful reps. -- Angulo
4
DE
The former Long Beach (Calif.) Poly star raised some eyebrows the moment he
stepped foot on the ASU campus, wowing the coaching staff with his size and
strength. Listed at 6-feet-3, 275 pounds, Wicker already has the frame that
should decrease the chances of him being a liability at defensive end. His
endless motor -- which might have been his most impressive trait at the high
school level -- catapulted Wicker to the top of the depth chart heading into the
season opener against Texas A&M, and the comfort level as a multifaceted lineman
will only improve as he complements ASU's 'Devil Backer' and adjusts to the
speed of the college game. -- Angulo
5
CB
Amadi had one of the most bizarre endings to his recruitment of any prospect in
the 2015 class, but things worked out perfectly and he walked into an ideal
situation in Eugene. After enrolling early and impressing during the spring and
summer, Amadi is in line to see action right away. His size and skill set have
led Oregon coaches to compare him to Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, an All-American who also
played right away and is now in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals. -- Southeast analyst Woody Wommack
6
DE
Kaumatule is not listed on the two-deep at defensive end, but that could be a bit
of subterfuge by the Oregon coaching staff because there is a good chance the
massive 6-foot-7, 295-pounder sees a lot of the field this season. Not only is
the former high four-star prospect huge, but he moves well and he's physical, so
Pac-12 opponents are going to have their hands full trying to block him.
Kaumatule has the potential to be a special player on this Ducks' defense --
even sometime this season. -- Gorney
7
QB
The Washington coaches have not named a started heading into Friday's season
opener at Boise State but Browning, who threw for a record 229 touchdowns at
Folsom, Calif., is right in the mix and is gunning for the job. Jeff Lindquist and K.J. Carta-Samuels are also in the mix but Browning has done
everything possible in fall camp to impress the coaching staff and he could
definitely win the job. Everything Browning showed in high school -- poise under
pressure, excellent control, maturity far beyond his years -- has come through
this camp and it's why he's a contender to start for the Huskies. -- Gorney
Impact freshmen:
| SEC
Adam Gorney
National Recruiting Analyst
Blair Angulo
West Recruiting Analyst
Woody Wommack
Southeast Recruiting Analyst
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