Advertisement
football Edit

Instant Impact in the Power 5 conferences

Physical ability, scheme fit and readiness are just three of the factors that determine whether a player goes from highly coveted in high school to an instant contributor at the college level. Here is a look at four prospects from different Power Five conferences we see playing big roles as freshmen next year.

ACC

Advertisement

WR Scott Bracey, Richmond (Va.) Benedictine School | Duke commit

Scott Bracey
Scott Bracey

Recruitment overview: After an outstanding sophomore season, offers started flying in for Bracey. Florida State, Notre Dame, Michigan, Alabama, and many others were in contention for Bracey. In the end, the education, relationships, and comfort level Bracey felt at Duke helped the Blue Devils land their highest-rated recruit in the Rivals era.

Impact potential: Duke has never had a player like Bracey, an immediate game-changer at wide receiver. He is the type of target quarterbacks love because of his huge catch radius, toughness over the middle, and ability to stretch the field. Bracey is already very strong and has great straight line speed

SEC

WR DeKaylin Metcalf, Oxford, Miss. | Ole Miss commit

DeKaylin Metcalf
DeKaylin Metcalf ()

Recruitment overview: There wasn’t a lot of intrigue in Metcalf’s recruitment. His father, Terrence Metcalf, played for the Rebels in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, so the Rivals100 wide receiver was basically a shoe-in for Ole Miss. He committed to the Rebels in July 2013.

Impact potential: Metcalf is one of the most physically imposing wide receivers in this class. He is every bit the 6-foot-5 he is listed at and there is still room to add weight to his frame if needed. Metcalf’s size and overall speed will give defensive coordinators nightmares and make the Rebel quarterbacks think they’re in heaven. As long as the Ole Miss coaches can make sure Metcalf’s hands get more consistent, he should fit right into the offense.

Big 12

CB Jordan Parker, Pittsburg, Calif. | Oklahoma commit

Jordan Parker
Jordan Parker ()

Recruitment overview: Parker committed to UCLA early in the process but backed off those plans before announcing for the Sooners in early October. He also took an official visit to Arizona State during the season but hardly wavered after joining Oklahoma’s class.

Impact potential: The Rivals250 prospect is one of the better cover corners in the West region and that should help his cause to see the field early in a pass-happy conference. Parker might not be the biggest defensive back, but he has proven to be physical near the line of scrimmage and doesn’t back down from a one-on-one challenge on the perimeter. He also could fill a spot as a nickel that can match up well with slot receivers in open space, giving the Sooners a prospect that is more than capable of holding his own next fall.

Pac-12

ATH Brandon Wellington, Sammamish (Wash.) Eastside Catholic | Washington commit

Recruitment overview: It’s difficult to find a recruit that has been committed to his program as long as Wellington has. The four-star prospect decided on the Huskies during the summer of 2014 before his junior season and never entertained any other propositions.

Impact potential: From a statistical standpoint, Washington had the best defense in the conference last season and head coach Chris Petersen is set to add a versatile athlete to the mix. Wellington was credited with 53 tackles and five interceptions in guiding Eastside Catholic to a state crown this past fall, and he appears ready to see significant time at linebacker next season. He also starred on the offensive side, averaging about seven yards per carry, and the Huskies haven’t shied away from featuring their players on both sides, so either way Wellington should have a role immediately.

Advertisement