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The 2022 season is only a month away, and it will be our first chance to watch in action what some experts have described as one of the best recruitment classes in recent history.
While some stars within this talented class may not be ready to make a difference from Day 1, there could be some players at almost every position who can immediately make an impact on the field.
Let’s look at some of the true freshmen we could see on the field very early.
Jackson State CB/WR Travis Hunter
Of course, this class’s No. 1 rated player will be under the spotlight, but his situation is a little more unique.
Instead of committing to one of the Power Five programs that gave him offers, Hunter elected to go to the HBCU Jackson State, coached by Deion Sanders.
It looks like we’re going to see a lot of Hunter on the field because during JSU’s spring practices, he’s been playing both offense and defense as a wide receiver and cornerback.
Coach Sanders fully supports making Hunter into a two-way player: “I don’t know if anybody else in the country would have started the kid both ways,” Sanders said, “but we will.”
On both sides, his movements look smooth and he can accelerate quickly, keeping him stuck to receivers but finding open turf as one himself. Watch his highlights, and you will understand why he was the top recruit.
RB Nick Singleton, Penn State
The top running back of the 2022 class is from Pennsylvania, staying home with the Nittany Lions, and could make it in the backfield rotation early. Last season for Penn State, Keyvone Lee and Noah Cain split carries, but with Cain transferring out, Singleton could move into that role.
Nicholas Singleton tape is so much fun to watch. Kid is special man. pic.twitter.com/QTvDfsZaKh
— Kevin (@Daboys_22) January 25, 2022
Penn State went away from running the ball last year, going from 54% runs in 2020 to 45% last season, and they had a highly disappointing year, finishing 90th in scoring offense (25.0 points per game). They’re going to get back to running the ball, and with a solid offensive line, we’ll see the hard-nosed, ground-and-pound style.
Singleton has a great frame and is already coming in with mass and strength with more room to grow. He will not shy away from contact and will be someone who can get the tough yards. He started to show explosiveness in his senior year, and if he can use that speed along with his power-running style, that will be a dangerous combo.
DL Mykel Williams, Georgia
The No. 4 recruit in the nation is an incredible defensive player from Georgia, so it was inevitable he would become a Bulldog. The reigning national champs had historically one of the best defenses in college football history last year but saw many of their top defensive players, especially on the front line, move to the NFL.
Head coach Kirby Smart has already praised Williams’ work ethic as he puts in extra time on the field, calling him “special.” The Bulldog fans are thrilled that he changed his commitment from Southern Cal to Georgia as Smart’s squad prepares for a title defense.
Mykel Williams with a TFL. He's having a monster week. In the conversation for top player in this class. pic.twitter.com/oOggWPZl6B
— solvingfootball (@solvingfootball) January 8, 2022
He can either play 6-technique or the 9-technique and has the speed and initial burst to move around the outside and make his way into the pocket. He possesses the strength and hand punch to put offensive linemen on their heels but has also shown the ability to swipe and shed. He’s a natural edge rusher, and we should see him in that defensive rotation early in the season.
WR Aaron Anderson, Alabama
Bryce Young lost a lot of talent at the receiver position, so the five-star recruit should have an opportunity to see the field early.
In no way does that means he doesn’t deserve it. Anderson has speed for days as he broke the 11-second 100-meter threshold at least five times. He’ll line up mainly in the slot as he’s listed at 5-foot-9, but he plays bigger than his size and can shed open-field tackles and fight for extra yards.
He could make an impact on offense or special teams. His quick feet made him a fantastic kick returner and he housed three kickoffs on a nationally televised game last year.
QB Cade Klubnik, Clemson
Dabo Swinney has no problem benching a quarterback for a true freshman — he started Deshaun Watson in 2018 and later picked Trevor Lawrence over Kelly Bryant.
After two seasons behind Lawrence, DJ Uiagalelei finally got his shot at QB1 in 2021, and he did not live up to the hype. He struggled throughout the season and finished with 2,246 passing yards, a 9/10 TD/INT ratio, and a 55.6% completion rate. More importantly, the Tigers were never in contention for a National Championship. It cannot all be blamed on Uiagalelei — injuries plagued the offense at both the offensive line and receiving corps.
Uiagalelei will go into camp as the starter and will likely be the under center in Week 1, but the leash might be short for DJU with the 2022 five-star and No. 1 quarterback recruit waiting in the wings.
Cade Klubnik throws his third touchdown of the day, this time to 3🌟 South Carolina WR commit Landon Samson.#AllAmericanBowl pic.twitter.com/KsivpLZFjI
— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) January 8, 2022
Klubnik is a mechanically sound quarterback. Great awareness, vision, and one of the more accurate passers in this class. His range of arm talent stands out — he can make any throw, whether it’s a laser through the middle or a deep ball down the sideline. Also very athletic when he needs to be, not overly flashy with his legs, but can extend plays.
If he gets his chance this year, he will not give it up.
LB Dasan McCullough, Indiana
The No. 9 LB in the country is more versatile than some may think. He lines up in multiple positions and has the strength and speed to can hold his own at any spot. He comes with the downhill explosiveness, tracks down anyone in the open field, and has the power to wrap to get that solo tackle.
According to 247 Sports, he’s rated as the best recruit in Indiana football history. With his ability to lay multiple positions, Tom Allen can plug in anywhere and get him in the rotation.
Sam Horn QB Missouri
Connor Bazelak transferring to Indiana could mean a wide-open quarterback competition. 2021 backups Brady Cook and Tyler Macon are back, and each had opportunities, but neither was overly impressive where they locked down the position.
Horn is a dual-threat quarterback, throwing for 3,708 yards and 35 touchdowns and completing over 70% of his passes while also running for 573 yards last year.
He wasn’t able to make it to spring practice and possibly will need more time to adjust, but if neither Macon nor Cook can make an impact, we could see the true freshman on the field.
Missouri WR Luther Burden
If the freshman Horn can get a chance, he may bring Burden with him. He comes as the No. 3 wide receiver in the 2022 class. Missouri needed a big playmaker, and Burden will be that guy.
The two-sport athlete uses his basketball abilities to make contested catches like jump ball and then has those ankle-breaking quick cuts like a crossover. He has the versatility with his size and speed to separate against defensive backs lined up outside or push off in the box when in the slot.
Remembering that time Luther Burden (@lutherburden3) started off the @UANextFootball game with 6️⃣‼️
— The Underclassman Report (@TheUCReport) July 28, 2022
Coming to @MizzouFootball very soon #MIZ🐯🏈 pic.twitter.com/xBj8rknC4G
Horn and Burden can begin to build chemistry now, and if they both can match their talent, they can create something special in the next three years.
DT Travis Shaw, North Carolina
Looking at Shaw, it’s hard to believe he’s just a freshman. The No. 4 defensive prospect (6'5"/360 lbs) already looks like he could step out onto the field on Sundays, but he’ll have three years to build those strengths and skills.
He’s incredible at plugging up the lines on the ground, but that big frame brings an unbelievable ability to break through the line and attack in the backfield, as he had 17 sacks and 62 tackles for a loss in 39 high school games.
FIVE-STAR 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 COUNTDOWN
— Rivals (@Rivals) January 24, 2022
At No. 15 is North Carolina (@HeelIllustrated) DT Travis Shaw @cheesy_Trav18
“He’s impressive with size, ability to win one-on-one reps and power up the middle” @adamgorney
See the full list of updating five-stars here: https://t.co/kd3yu4NnPA pic.twitter.com/DSyLp9fREs
As someone who already has the size to battle in the trenches, Shaw should put up stats early in the season.
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