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ESPNs Top Ten Instant Impact Recruits for 2015

Posted on 1/14/15 at 6:43 pm
Posted by BigOrangeBri
Nashville- 4th & 19
Member since Jul 2012
12245 posts
Posted on 1/14/15 at 6:43 pm
here's the full list.


1. RB Ronald Jones II, USC
The Trojans don't currently have a back like Jones on their roster. They have big, physical, downhill power backs such as Justin Davis and Buck Allen, but Jones adds a bolt of lightning similar to that of Reggie Bush. Jones can be a game-changer with the ball in his hands and is a home-run threat who could be a great change of pace for USC as he continues to get acclimated in pass protection.

2. DT Christian Wilkins, Clemson
Considering Clemson essentially lost just about everyone in its two-deep at defensive tackle, Wilkins is not only a welcome addition, but one Tigers' coaches and fans expect to make a splash. Wilkins proved at the Under Armour All-America Game that the jump in competition was not going to be too steep. He adds more height than Clemson has had and is a disruptive player on a consistent basis.

3. DT Kahlil McKenzie, Tennessee
Tennessee primarily focused on defensive end in the 2014 class, this year it is at tackle. McKenzie, a legacy prospect, is the ideal fit as a one technique or two-gap, early down run-stopper who can hold the point and also collapse the pocket. He adds much-needed size in the middle of the Vols defense and is a force at the point of attack.

4. DE Canton Kaumatule, Oregon
This is the most high-profile defensive lineman to sign with Oregon since Haloti Ngata. Kaumatule is a rush end with five-technique size and adds a tenaciousness and motor you love in defensive lineman. Current Oregon D-linemen DeForrest Buckner and Arik Armstead's likely departures to the NFL this spring only enhances Kaumatule's early prospects.

5. DT Breiden Fehoko, Texas Tech
Fehoko brings many of the same qualities as Kaumatule. Let's face it, Texas Tech can use all the help it can get on defense, and Fehoko's motor at the very least will get him on the field in some capacity. There are a lot of jucos on the Red Raiders' depth chart with very little four-year depth, likely opening a spot for Fehoko.

6. ATH Kerryon Johnson, Auburn
Johnson is pound for pound one of the top overall athletes in this class and could be a legitimate candidate to play on either side of the ball. For Auburn, he will begin his career at running back. With Cameron Artis-Payne now departed and freshman Roc Thomas getting his feet wet this past fall, Johnson could give the Tigers a very young but very talented one-two punch in the backfield in 2015.

7. ATH Traveon Samuel, Louisville
Samuel is not very big, but he sure can scoot. Like Georgia's Isaiah McKenzie in 2014, Samuel can be an early electric force in the return game. Samuel is a nightmare for defenders in space and could contribute as a slot/scatback for Bobby Petrino. This guy can change field position in a hurry and is really difficult to handle one-on-one.

8. DE Josh Sweat, Florida State
If he is fully recovered from a knee injury, Sweat will at the very least be a force as a designated pass-rusher. The injury and the recovery time are concerning, but he still has several months before fall camp begins and the former No. 1 overall player in the ESPN 300 could give the Noles something they were lacking off the edge in 2014. Had he not been injured he would likely be the most dominant player in the 2015 class.

9. DT Shy Tuttle, Tennessee
While Kahlil McKenzie will be an early down contributor for the Vols, Tuttle comes into play as a three-technique who can be a bit more agile, disruptive and lateral in his movements sideline to sideline. Tuttle could play in a variety of alignments and create quite a formidable duo with McKenzie at a position of significant need.

10. RB L.J. Scott, Michigan State
With Michigan State's run game and LJ Scott it's an ideal marriage of skill set and scheme. Jeremy Langford is a senior and there is little depth behind him, which could open the door for Scott to come in and make an impact running between the tackles. He is a physical load-carrier with excellent feet in the hole to move the chains



Personally I would put Kyle Phillips in over Tuttle
Posted by Warfarer
Dothan, AL
Member since May 2010
12112 posts
Posted on 1/14/15 at 6:49 pm to
unless Kerryon moves to safety for us and starts opposite of Matthews, he won't be an instant impact. At running back, he just isn't enough of an upgrade at running back to be a need even though he might get carries.
Posted by Captain Crown
Member since Jun 2011
50540 posts
Posted on 1/14/15 at 6:50 pm to
good thread. Will be fun to look it at after next year.
Posted by OnlyGatorsSurvive
Member since Feb 2014
1319 posts
Posted on 1/14/15 at 7:04 pm to
Absolute garbage list.
Posted by JStanDawgFan
Evans, Ga
Member since Jul 2012
3987 posts
Posted on 1/14/15 at 7:12 pm to
quote:

Absolute garbage list.



It's also an incredibly premature list. Why do a list like this one this early before the kids actually SIGN with their schools. In this day and age, 2 weeks is an eternity in recruiting. Just shows how much time ESPN actually devotes to recruiting these days.
This post was edited on 1/14/15 at 7:17 pm
Posted by bisonduck
Oregon City, OR
Member since Apr 2011
12977 posts
Posted on 1/14/15 at 7:18 pm to
A lot of Oregon beat types think Kaumatule is going to play opposite of Buckner and start right away. So, I can vouch for his inclusion.

I do think Sweat shouldn't be included. FSU absolutely needs a speed rusher but he will be rehabilitating from a bad injury. Also, Featherstone will have a year in the system on him.
This post was edited on 1/14/15 at 7:21 pm
Posted by BigOrangeBri
Nashville- 4th & 19
Member since Jul 2012
12245 posts
Posted on 1/14/15 at 7:20 pm to
quote:

It's also an incredibly premature list. Why do a list like this one this early before the kids actually SIGN with their schools. In this day and age, 2 weeks is an eternity in recruiting. Just shows how much time ESPN actually devotes to recruiting these days.


It's also interesting because ESPN has KM ranked as 46th prospect while every other service has him #1 or at least top 3.

Doesn't make much sense
Posted by tylerdurden24
Member since Sep 2009
46385 posts
Posted on 1/14/15 at 7:37 pm to
Not to mention Trent Thompson is going to start day 1 on the DL for UGA. He's just that good.
Posted by BigOrangeBri
Nashville- 4th & 19
Member since Jul 2012
12245 posts
Posted on 1/14/15 at 7:48 pm to
quote:

Not to mention Trent Thompson is going to start day 1 on the DL for UGA. He's just that good.


Yeah, I don't understand having Khalil on the list and not Trent
Posted by Recruitingjunkie
Member since Jan 2014
3059 posts
Posted on 1/14/15 at 7:52 pm to
What a shite list lol
Posted by bisonduck
Oregon City, OR
Member since Apr 2011
12977 posts
Posted on 1/14/15 at 8:02 pm to
I don't get RJ Scott either. Michigan State had a lot of depth at RB after Langford.
Posted by lsufanva
sandston virginia
Member since Aug 2009
12359 posts
Posted on 1/15/15 at 5:14 am to
Gotta love ESPN. They leave out so many facts or scenarios.

Kerryon Johnson, sure he could have an impact but the fact that ESPNs guy just completely left out the fact that Jovon Robinson is coming shows how inept they are. Robinson is the best RB in this class and its not real close. I'd be more supriswd if he didn't start than anything else.
Posted by Nicolae
Member since Dec 2012
1880 posts
Posted on 1/15/15 at 5:44 am to
quote:

Absolute garbage list.


Yep. I almost wonder if the OP just made it up. Seems like something you'd get off Bleacher Report, not what I would expect from ESPN.

Sweat on that list? He'll be lucky if he sees the field at all next year, much less has major impact. No Trent Thompson? GTFOH.
Posted by Dawgsontop34
Member since Jun 2014
42435 posts
Posted on 1/15/15 at 7:38 am to
I would love to know how many of those guys played in the Under Armour all American game vs. the Army and Semper Fi games. Seems like ESPN always tries to pump up the guys that played in their game.
Posted by zsav77
Member since Oct 2011
6057 posts
Posted on 1/15/15 at 8:00 am to
ESPN... recruiting....
Posted by Nissanmaxima
Member since Feb 2006
14928 posts
Posted on 1/15/15 at 8:29 am to
quote:

Absolute garbage list.




This. ESPN
Posted by Dawg in Beaumont
Athens
Member since Jan 2012
4494 posts
Posted on 1/15/15 at 8:55 am to
Others have already said it, and I know I sound like a homer, but not having Thompson seems silly.

DT's stepping up right off the bat isn't normal, but they included others so why no TT?
Posted by Gotta have DeZeier
Turner Field
Member since Dec 2011
3011 posts
Posted on 1/15/15 at 9:33 am to
Has the 4 letter never heard of Godwin?
Posted by gatorhata9
Dallas, TX
Member since Dec 2010
26172 posts
Posted on 1/15/15 at 9:35 am to
quote:

Not to mention Trent Thompson is going to start day 1 on the DL for UGA. He's just that good.



I don't think I've ever felt as good about a recruit coming in and being a key player for us from day 1 like this.
Posted by BigOrangeBri
Nashville- 4th & 19
Member since Jul 2012
12245 posts
Posted on 1/15/15 at 11:45 am to
quote:

It's also interesting because ESPN has KM ranked as 46th prospect while every other service has him #1 or at least top 3.


Well, ESPN bumped him up to #26 today. Still not high enough. Kyle Phillips was bumped up to #70
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