Choosing the top 10 freshmen might be harder than choosing the top 10 defensive linemen. In reality this should be broken down on offense and defense, but for now we’ll do just one list.

There were a few caveats in making this list. First, we tried to omit players who were expected to take redshirts or had established starters at their position. Second, obviously junior-college transfers will be on a different list.

It was still very tough and leaving some players out required difficult decisions. However, that’s why we get paid the big bucks, so here are players that left out at the last minute.

NEAR MISSES

Shea Patterson, QB, Ole Miss: Already pegged as backup in 2016. Will only play in garbage time or if Chad Kelly gets injured or goes off the rails. Otherwise he would be top 3.

Isaac Nauta, TE, Georgia: Should play early but probably only in passing situations for now.

Lyndell “Mack” Wilson, LB, Alabama: Hard for true freshman to get in on Alabama’s defense, but Ben Davis might have a better chance early.

Kyle Davis, WR, Auburn: Injured in spring and will miss most of training camp with a foot injury.

Devwah Whaley, RB, Arkansas: Should eventually get carries, but is stuck in logjam of five running backs.

Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn: Tough omission as Brown is getting starter reps because of injuries. Tigers’ line is deep with upperclassmen though.

Tyler Byrd, WR, Tennessee: Another tough omission as Byrd is standing out over a group of freshman receivers who could compete for playing time.

Landon Young, OT, Kentucky: Young did not enroll in the spring, but he should see the field this season.

And now for the Top 10!

No. 10 Ben Davis, LB, Alabama: It’s hard for any true freshman to make an impact at Alabama outside of the wide receiver position, and Davis along with fellow five-star linebacker prospect Lyndell Wilson both started at the back of the line. But Davis has the size (6-3, 240) to play in the trenches and if he can prove to be capable playing in the coverage schemes, I think Davis can make an impact in 2016.

No. 9 Jeffrey Simmons, DL, Mississippi State: Let me be clear: It’s a joke that Simmons is not missing half the season at the least, and Dan Mullen’s pathetic defense for the light punishment is even more laughable. But within the poor attempts to explain, the truth emerged.

Mississippi State didn’t want to lose Simmons’ talent to another program and they decided that they could live with the video of him going “ground and pound” on a woman. So when he’s allowed to play in Game 2, expect him to get a lot of opportunities. He should bring an immediate talent boost to the defense. I just hope Bulldog fans throw up in their mouths a little every time they cheer him for making a play.

No. 8 Joejuan Williams, CB, Vanderbilt: Even though Williams did not play high school football in 2015 he did enroll early at Vanderbilt and will be expected to make immediate contributions in the secondary.

Williams has great size (6-1.5, 190) for the position and that gives the Commodores some scheme versatility on whether to use him on the outside as a corner, as a floating nickel back in pass situations or even a free safety depending on the personnel.

No. 7 Mecole Hardman Jr., ATH, Georgia: The big question out of Athens in regards to Hardman is which side of the ball will he play on. The incoming freshman definitely envisions himself as a bit of a modern day Charles Woodson, and if he’s half the player the 1997 Heisman winner and surefire NFL Hall of Famer is, then the Bulldogs will be very happy.

No. 6 Saivion Smith, CB, LSU: At around 6-foot-2 with long arms, Smith has exceptional length and that allows him to battle for the ball in one-on-one situations.

Apr 16, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers corner back Savion Smith (8) intercepts a pass during the Spring Game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

The former Gators fan enrolled at LSU during the spring and spent time practicing with the ones most days. While LSU envisions Smith as a tall, athletic corner similar to Kevin Tolliver, his size gives the Tigers some scheme versatility and the ability to move to free safety.

No. 5 Brandon McIlwain, QB, South Carolina: McIlwain is already splitting first-team reps with Perry Orth and he’s the guy that Gamecocks offensive coordinator Kurt Roper will be building the offensive scheme around.

The Gamecocks will be young on both sides of the ball, which means talent will eventually be placed over experience, and that’s when McIlwain will take the starting QB spot and run with it.

No. 4 McTelvin Agim, DE, Arkansas: Agim has been practicing or at least participating in practices with Arkansas since their bowl game preparations. So it’s no surprise that by the end of the spring Agim was in a starting role in a pass-rush package. His name is the first one out of head coach Bret Bielema’s mouth when he is asked about newcomers who can get in the mix for immediate playing time. Agim looks like a good bet to challenge for some conference freshman awards.

No. 3 Tyrie Cleveland, WR, Florida: Cleveland’s playing status is in the air because he and Rick Wells decided to spray the dorms with BB guns. That is a felony charge and until it gets dropped to a misdemeanor, Cleveland can’t suit up on Saturdays.

But he’s practicing now, which means that coaches feel good about the legal issues being cleared up. Cleveland, much like last year’s star freshman Antonio Callaway (who has issues of his own), should separate himself in practice and end up as one of the Gators’ top 3-4 receivers when the final depth charts are released.

No. 2 Gregory Little, OT, Ole Miss: Senior Jeremy Liggins is listed as the starting left tackle for Ole Miss, but that’s because Little didn’t enroll early and take part in spring practices.

Expect the 6-5, 315-pound Texan to get every opportunity to start in the Labor Day opener against Florida State in Orlando. Little was the consensus top high school offensive lineman in the nation last year, much like the guy he replaced, Laremy Tunsil.

Once he settles into that left tackle spot, expect him to be there for the next three years.

No. 1 Jacob Eason, QB, Georgia: If the Bulldog fans had their choice, Eason would start in the opener, but the true freshman will have to beat out Greyson Lambert for it to happen.

Eason was the team’s leading passer in the spring game and has all the tools to be Georgia’s next great quarterback.

Even if he doesn’t take the first snap of the first game on the first week, there’s little doubt that he will eventually take over the starting spot and probably within the first month.