SEC Football: Top 5 Impact Freshmen In 2013

SEC Top 5 Freshmen

As the fall semester is coming for campuses around the country, incoming freshmen are getting set to move in to their respective universities. Meaning that college football is also drawing near and it's about time to meet the incoming freshmen, the highly coveted and not so highly coveted, in the SEC this season. Some will set the bar high, make a major impact for their program in their first season on campus, like Jadeveon Clowney, Percy Harvin, Darren McFadden, Marcus Lattimore, Julio Jones and Michael Dyer did. While some will figure out what a redshirt is and will be making a transformation with their body in hope that they can make a major impact as a redshirt freshman. Everybody is different. Some will play. Some will find out that they are not equipped for the major college game at this point in their lives.

What was considered the norm of redshirting the first year on campus has changed in major college football. The impact of young freshmen is being seen all across the major college landscape due to the NCAA rule allowing high school players to graduate the fall of their senior year and report to their college choices a semester earlier and the same rule allowing others to graduate in May and report for summer school/camp earlier than expected. It has been evident how much this new rule has affected college football in regards of taking freshmen and molding them in a more physical and mental standpoint.

Here is a list of SEC incoming freshmen that should make a major impact in their first season on campus.

5. Chris Jones-Defensive End-Mississippi State

Jones is probably the most highly coveted player from the state of Mississippi who didn't end up signing with the Ole Miss Rebels in February. He is an under-the-radar small town kid who wasn't even on most college's lists coming into his senior year and was invited and played in the Under Armour All-American Bowl in Tampa Bay. At 6'7'', 250 pounds, Jones figures to make an immediate impact on the Bulldogs' defensive front.

Jones should become an elite player in the SEC for many years to come. He has the potential and athleticism to one day become a top five pick in the NFL Draft.

4. O.J Howard-Tight End-Alabama

A three-sport athlete in high school, he has all the intangibles and gifted athleticism that you want at the tight end position. A 6'6'', 230 pound frame, Howard is very physical on the line of scrimmage and could be used as a blocker in short yardage packages for the Crimson Tide, like Mike Williams was in his time at Tuscaloosa. He will most likely not start ahead of Brian Vogler, but he has that nice playmaking ability that could be used as A.J. McCarron's primary target at the goal line.

3. Kelvin Taylor-Running Back-Florida

The son of former NFL/Florida running back Fred Taylor, Kelvin already has the body and pedigree of an NFL running back for the Gators. He will be competing against starter, Matt Jones to carry some of the workload this season. There is no doubt that he will have a heavy dose of carries come this fall in Brian Pease's power-running offense in his first campaign at Gainesville. He will make a major impact with his physical running style in the Gators' offense.

2. Tray Matthews-Safety-Georgia

With the losses of Baccari Rambo and Shawn Williams, the Bulldogs secondary is without two playmakers from a season ago. Matthews came to Athens in January and had Bulldog coaches excited about his play in spring ball. The tape from Georgia's spring game backs that up. Matthews flies from the secondary and is a ballhawk as a true freshman. Matthews has the intelligence and speed to adjust to the college game as a starter this season.

1. Robert Nkemdiche-Defensive End-Ole Miss

He was widely considered the No. 1 recruit in the nation last season and is being considered the best player to come to Ole Miss since Eli Manning. At 6'5'', 270 pounds, Nkemdiche has all the physical tools of an All-American at defensive end. He has great lateral movement, gap integrity, speed and strength. But he must learn to keep blockers from his knees and chest if he wants to stay healthy in college. The kid is a rare specimen as a true freshman. If he stays healthy there is no doubt he will be a three-and-done player for Hugh Freeze in Oxford.