When you have secured the nation’s top recruiting class for five straight years like Nick Saban and Alabama have done, your team is expected to contend for SEC and national championships every season.

Some of your squad’s incoming freshmen are also expected to play right away and make an immediate impact. Here’s a look at some potentially outstanding arrivals who could make major contributions for the Crimson Tide in 2015.

Ross Pierschbacher: Even though this 6-foot-4, 299-pounder out of Cedar Falls, Iowa, is a redshirt freshman, we are including him in this group because he is currently projected to be Alabama’s starter at left guard. True freshmen Lester Cotton and Richie Petitbon could see snaps at guard as well in 2015.

David Cornwell: Like Pierschbacher, Cornwell is a redshirt freshman. But unlike his teammate on the offensive line, Cornwell doesn’t appear to have grabbed the starting spot from fellow returning quarterback Jake Coker. The 6-foot-5, 221-pound product of Norman, Okla., is in the midst of a competition that includes junior Alec Morris, sophomore Cooper Bateman and true freshman Blake Barrett.

Ronnie Harrison: Currently No. 2 on the depth chart behind senior Geno Smith, the 6-foot-3, 218-pound Harrison enrolled early at Alabama to get a head start for spring practice. The four-star prospect, who also played quarterback for Florida State University School, has looked solid in fall camp.

Damien Harris: With Kenyan Drake and Bo Scarborough held out of Alabama’s first scrimmage due to injuries, this 5-foot-11, 205-pounder out of Berea, Ky., made the most of the opportunity, which has put him in position to be the Crimson Tide’s third-string running back behind No. 1 Derrick Henry and Drake. Harris, a five-star prospect, ran for 6,717 yards and 111 touchdowns in high school.

Calvin Ridley: With Alabama having lost its top three wideouts from last season — including current Oakland Raider Amari Cooper — someone needs to step up, and Ridley could be that guy. A  five-star recruit and the nation’s top receiver in high school, the 6-foot-1, 185-pound Ridley has the tools — and a creative coordinator in Lane Kiffin — that should help him succeed in the SEC. The Coconut, Fla., product, who hasn’t played in a competitive game since last September because of age-eligibility issues in his home state, is one of Alabama’s more mature freshmen; he turns 21 in December.

Minkah Fitzpatrick: This 6-foot-1, 198-pound cornerback out of St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City, N.J., is a big, physical hitter. Fitzpatrick, a five-star recruit and the top high school player in the Garden State last season, could eventually play safety for the Tide.

Kendall Sheffield: Alabama returns Cyrus Jones and Eddie Jackson at cornerback this season, but this 6-foot, 181-pound five-star recruit out of Missouri City, Texas, could see some snaps in the secondary when he isn’t playing special teams.

Adonis Thomas: This 6-foot-3, 230-pounder could see action at middle linebacker — as a MIKE or WILL — for defensive coordinator Kirby Smart in 2015. After starring at Central Gwinnett High in Lawrenceville, Ga., Thomas initially committed to Florida before reneging and committing to Alabama.

The Crimson Tide played 12 freshmen last season, including two who started every game, left tackle Cam Robinson and punter JK Scott.

Even with its impressive 2015 recruiting class, Alabama might not be able to replicate that success this year, but it has a number of impressive prospects who might make some of its incumbents look over their respective shoulders.