Five-star prospects are most always considered instant-impact players. There are only 32 or so in the entire country.
But lower-rated prospects also can make instant splashes during their first seasons, too.
We look in the SEC West and attempt to identify five instant-impact players who were rated four-stars or lower exiting high school, according to 247Sports Composite Rankings:
Derrius Guice, RB, LSU: It’s been proven that Les Miles will use multiple running backs throughout the Tigers’ season. Yes, Leonard Fournette will get the most carries, and he’ll be the superstar, but there’s room for more than just Fournette. Darrel Williams will get some carries, too, but he’s not a home-run threat like Derrius Guice. I really look for Guice to make an impact, because he’s just too talented to leave on the sidelines. He’s an excellent pass catcher. Plus, he can become a weapon on special teams. Guice is also big enough at 5-11, 215 pounds to take the punishment for a first-year player.
Donte Jackson, CB, LSU: Simply put — Donte Jackson is an elite athlete who can play many different positions on the field. Offense, defense or special teams, Jackson will make his presence known, even on a loaded roster like LSU’s. He’ll play both ways for the Tigers, as described by running backs coach Frank Wilson.
“He’s a young man we will count on to be a playmaker for us as a return man as well as offensively at times,” running backs coach and recruiting coordinator Frank Wilson said.
“He’ll start off as a corner for us and play, primarily, defense. But with that type of speed and excitement, we’re going to be hard pressed not to give him a chance to touch the football.”
SEC fans as a whole need to be ready for Donte Jackson.
Jeremiah Ledbetter, DL, Arkansas: Bret Bielema believes in building his team from the inside out, and what better way to rebuild a defensive line than getting a veteran JUCO player who’s ready to make an immediate impact? Jeremiah Ledbetter should be that player for the Hogs. Ledbetter, a 6-foot-3, 280-pound pass rusher, registered 76 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 16 sacks, nine quarterback hurries and two recovered fumbles this season in the JUCO ranks. He’s ready to become a force in Robb Smith’s defense in 2015 as a first-year player.
“Jeremiah is another fantastic addition to our growing 2015 class,” Bielema said about Ledbetter. “He will bring experience and physicality to our defensive line and joins a group of outstanding future Razorbacks that will make an immediate impact with our team. The sky is the limit with Jeremiah and we can’t wait to see what he’ll bring during spring practice on and off the field.”
Damarkus Lodge, WR, Ole Miss: Of anyone on this impact list, Damarkus Lodge may be the best pure playmaker. Lodge has some of the best hands in the 2015 recruiting class, and he’ll deliver some incredible catches over the course of his career. Cody Core looks like he’ll be Laquon Treadwell’s complement, but Lodge could very well have a Treadwell-type freshman season — he just catches everything in sight. He’s 6-3, 195 pounds, and he can really go get it. Assuming the quarterback play is strong for Ole Miss, Lodge could be in for a big-time freshman season and become the other option for the Rebels’ passing attack.
Javon Patterson, OL, Ole Miss: In a bit of a wild card pick, Javon Patterson could also have an impact for the Rebels. Yes, Ole Miss has one of the more veteran O-line units in the country, but overall, it’s a unit that has to improve drastically if the team can run the SEC West gauntlet. The Rebels allowed 31 sacks a unit, third worst in the SEC, and Patterson could be an instant-impact type help for this unit. As Patterson already went through a spring practice, it certainly increases his chances to be a positive first-year player.
Who are some other non-five-star impact newcomers for 2015?
A graduate of the University of Florida and founder of Saturday Down South, Kevin is a college football enthusiast.
