2019 College Football Preseason Rankings: Top 5 Impact Freshman

2019 College Football Preseason Rankings – Top 5 Impact Freshman: The 2019 College Football season is already underway, but the action really with the first full Saturday slate of games this coming weekend. Most fans of the sport already know the Heisman contenders and the top players returning for the top teams in the country, but as we have seen time and time again, year after year, freshman can play a huge role in a team’s success, if not be the driving force behind a team’s title run. This year will be no exception, and there are plenty of talented newcomers who should have an immediate role for their teams. Let’s take a closer look at the five freshman who I expect to have the biggest impact in the 2019 College Football season.

2019 College Football Preseason Rankings: Top 5 Impact Freshman

1. Jordan Whittington, RB, Texas Longhorns

The highly-touted recruit was already expected to see significant touches this season, and he now looks poised for a huge workload after a myriad of injuries has decimated the Texas backfield. Being the lead back for a potent offense should lead to some big numbers for Whittington by default, but if the Longhorns are going to live up to the preseason hype and challenge for a Big 12 title and a spot in the College Football Playoff, the freshman will need to deliver from start to finish.

2. Derek Stingley, CB, LSU Tigers

He was the No. 1 corner in his class, and not only is Stingley expected to be an immediate starter for the Tigers, but he is being touted as a replacement for shutdown corner Greedy Williams. Regardless of whether he slots in as LSU’s No. 1 corner from Day 1, there is no doubt that Stingley’s elite speed and skills will only bolster a great secondary. The Tigers want to take back the SEC, and he could be the missing piece to a championship-caliber defense.

3. Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, Nebraska Cornhuskers

Head coach Scott Frost has Nebraska quickly heading in the right direction, and the offensive guru is the perfect person to unleash a versatile weapon like Robinson. He is expected to fill a Swiss Army knife-type role for the Cornhusker’s offense, and while dual-threat quarterback Adrian Martinez is going to be the centerpiece of the offense, Robinson could be the X-factor. Nebraska is being picked by many as a dark horse contender in the Big Ten West, and Robinson has the big-play ability to help push the Cornhuskers to the top.

4. Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon Ducks

Gifted with the size, quickness and NFL-ready techniques to be a devastating speed-rusher off the edge, Thibodeaux is going to be asked to be a game-changer for the Oregon defense from Day 1. The Ducks have the offensive weapons in place to take back the Pac-12 and contend for a spot in the College Football Playoff, but they needed more punch on the defensive side of the ball. If Thibodeaux lives up to the hype, he can be a transformative player that produces big numbers and makes the players around him better. With Oregon taking on Auburn in the biggest game of Week 1, he won’t have to wait long to try to make a statement.

5. Nolan Smith, OLB/DE, Georgia Bulldogs

Considered by most recruiting services to be the No. 1 overall player in his class, Smith brings his rare blend of size, speed and athleticism to a loaded Georgia defense. The Bulldogs will likely move him between outside linebacker and defensive end in pass-rushing situations, but wherever he lines up, Smith should be a disruptive force who makes his share of big plays in the backfield. Look for him to be a heat-seeking missile off the edge all year. Opposing quarterbacks should be worried.

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