Alabama Crimson Tide: Demarcus Robinson
Enrolling into college has become a growing trend in college football. Missing prom and Senior Skip Day has become a regular for a lot of high schoolers these days.
In the SEC, getting a high number of early enrollees is becoming more and more of a priority for coaches. This year, all 14 SEC teams had players from their 2013 classes enroll in school early. Georgia leads the SEC with 13, Alabama has nine, and Florida and Texas A&M both have eight. In fact, 73 players from this year's recruiting class enrolled early at SEC schools in this year.
ESPN colleague Travis Haney unveiled his top impact early enrollees
from around the country Wednesday, and of his five players who made the cut, three came from the SEC. Well, four, because he said defensive backs Tray Matthews and Reggie Wilkerson would make immediate impacts at Georgia.
Florida running back Kelvin Taylor, who was the nation's No. 1 running back, and Alabama tight end O.J. Howard, who was an ESPN 150 member, also made the list.
Those all make sense. Georgia is basically replacing its entire secondary outside of cornerback Damian Swann, so the Bulldogs will need all the help they can get in the secondary. Florida proved that it could survive -- for the most part -- on a very strong running game last fall, but workhorse Mike Gillislee is gone, so the Gators will need help for Matt Jones and Mack Brown. Taylor is an elusive, physical back who could find himself getting a boatload of carries this fall. And Howard is a real difference-maker at tight end. The Alabama coaches are very excited about his big-play ability and his ability to create a lot of mismatches for defenders.
Haney also gave Tennessee wide receiver Paul Harris the honorable mention nod. Harris comes in at a position of great need, and it will only benefit, well, everyone, having him on campus early.
But what other players who decided to trade in their prom tuxes for shoulder pads could make immediate impacts in the SEC? Glad you asked, because here are some other guys I think you should all keep an eye on:
True freshmen
Christian LaCouture, DL, LSU: With LSU losing starters at both end spots and one at defensive tackle, LaCouture has a chance to get immediate playing time. He can play inside or outside for the Tigers.
Christian Morgan, TE, Ole Miss: The Rebels lost three senior tight ends from last season's team, and the returning players lack experience, so Morgan could step right into a starting spot with a successful spring.
Demarcus Robinson, WR, Florida: The Gators need receiving weapons, and Robinson might be the most versatile of the bunch on campus right now. He's the play-making type this offense desperately needs.
Junior college transfers
Leon Brown, OL, Alabama: Three starting offensive linemen are gone, which means Brown could find himself playing a lot this fall. He could be in line to take the vacant right tackle spot left by D.J. Fluker.
Justin Cox, DB, Mississippi State: Johnthan Banks and Darius Slay are gone, and Cox is already impressing people around the program. Word is he's already one of the fastest guys on the team, and could come in and start immediately at cornerback.
Za'Darius Smith, DE, Kentucky: With all the late movement in UK's class, Smith might have been overlooked, but Mark Stoops is very excited about him. He's been a monster in the weight room and could play right away this fall.
In the SEC, getting a high number of early enrollees is becoming more and more of a priority for coaches. This year, all 14 SEC teams had players from their 2013 classes enroll in school early. Georgia leads the SEC with 13, Alabama has nine, and Florida and Texas A&M both have eight. In fact, 73 players from this year's recruiting class enrolled early at SEC schools in this year.
ESPN colleague Travis Haney unveiled his top impact early enrollees
from around the country Wednesday, and of his five players who made the cut, three came from the SEC. Well, four, because he said defensive backs Tray Matthews and Reggie Wilkerson would make immediate impacts at Georgia.
Florida running back Kelvin Taylor, who was the nation's No. 1 running back, and Alabama tight end O.J. Howard, who was an ESPN 150 member, also made the list.
Those all make sense. Georgia is basically replacing its entire secondary outside of cornerback Damian Swann, so the Bulldogs will need all the help they can get in the secondary. Florida proved that it could survive -- for the most part -- on a very strong running game last fall, but workhorse Mike Gillislee is gone, so the Gators will need help for Matt Jones and Mack Brown. Taylor is an elusive, physical back who could find himself getting a boatload of carries this fall. And Howard is a real difference-maker at tight end. The Alabama coaches are very excited about his big-play ability and his ability to create a lot of mismatches for defenders.
Haney also gave Tennessee wide receiver Paul Harris the honorable mention nod. Harris comes in at a position of great need, and it will only benefit, well, everyone, having him on campus early.
But what other players who decided to trade in their prom tuxes for shoulder pads could make immediate impacts in the SEC? Glad you asked, because here are some other guys I think you should all keep an eye on:
True freshmen
Christian LaCouture, DL, LSU: With LSU losing starters at both end spots and one at defensive tackle, LaCouture has a chance to get immediate playing time. He can play inside or outside for the Tigers.
Christian Morgan, TE, Ole Miss: The Rebels lost three senior tight ends from last season's team, and the returning players lack experience, so Morgan could step right into a starting spot with a successful spring.
Demarcus Robinson, WR, Florida: The Gators need receiving weapons, and Robinson might be the most versatile of the bunch on campus right now. He's the play-making type this offense desperately needs.
Junior college transfers
Leon Brown, OL, Alabama: Three starting offensive linemen are gone, which means Brown could find himself playing a lot this fall. He could be in line to take the vacant right tackle spot left by D.J. Fluker.
Justin Cox, DB, Mississippi State: Johnthan Banks and Darius Slay are gone, and Cox is already impressing people around the program. Word is he's already one of the fastest guys on the team, and could come in and start immediately at cornerback.
Za'Darius Smith, DE, Kentucky: With all the late movement in UK's class, Smith might have been overlooked, but Mark Stoops is very excited about him. He's been a monster in the weight room and could play right away this fall.
Army Bowl: Wednesday notebook 
January, 2, 2013
Jan 2
3:08
PM ET
By
Damon Sayles and
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
SAN ANTONIO -- Wednesday was a day off for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl teams. Instead of working out and participating in drills, the players took in visits around the city -- including a stop at the Alamodome for photo opportunities and to see their game apparel -- and used the day to recover from two days of practice.
The teams will return to the fields on Thursday in arguably the most important practice of the week. Here are five things to keep an eye on for Thursday’s practice:
The teams will return to the fields on Thursday in arguably the most important practice of the week. Here are five things to keep an eye on for Thursday’s practice:
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• After decommitting from Clemson, No. 1 prospect Robert Nkemdiche (Loganville, Ga./Grayson) took an unofficial visit to Ole Miss with his parents, older brother and his father’s niece on Saturday. While there had been speculation that Nkemdiche could commit to the Rebels over the weekend, there was no public change in his recruitment. Nkemdiche and his mother have stated that no final decision is imminent, with his mother targeting national signing day and Nkemdiche saying he will probably announce in January but that he could also commit when it feels right. The Rebels are still considered the team to beat, but the longer his recruitment lasts, the more opportunities that programs such as Alabama, Clemson and Georgia will have to convince Nkemdiche that their program is the best fit for him.
• ESPN 150 defensive lineman Montravius Adams (Vienna, Ga./Dooly County) took an unofficial visit to Clemson over the weekend, giving his mother her first look at the Tigers. The visit went well, and Clemson has a chance to secure a coveted official visit from the No. 7 prospect in the country. Next up for Adams is taking in a high school game with ESPN 300 offensive lineman Brandon Kublanow (Marietta, Ga./Walton), a University of Georgia commitment who has become close friends with Adams over the past few months. Adams will take his mom on another unofficial visit to Alabama Nov. 24 for the Iron Bowl against Auburn. Then his official visits will begin, with LSU, Oregon and USC mentioned as three Adams plans to take. Clemson has positioned itself to have a strong chance at being No. 4.
• Another ESPN 150 target on campus at Clemson over the weekend was Tramel Terry (Goose Creek, S.C./Goose Creek), a University of Georgia commitment. Terry took his first official visit to Clemson last month, and returned after visiting Georgia Nov. 3 for the Ole Miss game. Clemson is selling Terry on making an impact in the backfield, while Georgia has mentioned the possibility of playing multiple positions in Athens. He told DawgNation after his official visit that he was solid to the Bulldogs and intended on enrolling early at Georgia, but his recruitment warrants monitoring with the return trip to Clemson. He is expected to take his official to Georgia next month.
• ESPN 150 defensive lineman Montravius Adams (Vienna, Ga./Dooly County) took an unofficial visit to Clemson over the weekend, giving his mother her first look at the Tigers. The visit went well, and Clemson has a chance to secure a coveted official visit from the No. 7 prospect in the country. Next up for Adams is taking in a high school game with ESPN 300 offensive lineman Brandon Kublanow (Marietta, Ga./Walton), a University of Georgia commitment who has become close friends with Adams over the past few months. Adams will take his mom on another unofficial visit to Alabama Nov. 24 for the Iron Bowl against Auburn. Then his official visits will begin, with LSU, Oregon and USC mentioned as three Adams plans to take. Clemson has positioned itself to have a strong chance at being No. 4.
• Another ESPN 150 target on campus at Clemson over the weekend was Tramel Terry (Goose Creek, S.C./Goose Creek), a University of Georgia commitment. Terry took his first official visit to Clemson last month, and returned after visiting Georgia Nov. 3 for the Ole Miss game. Clemson is selling Terry on making an impact in the backfield, while Georgia has mentioned the possibility of playing multiple positions in Athens. He told DawgNation after his official visit that he was solid to the Bulldogs and intended on enrolling early at Georgia, but his recruitment warrants monitoring with the return trip to Clemson. He is expected to take his official to Georgia next month.
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ABOUT TIDE NATION
Greg Ostendorf
Greg Ostendorf joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering University of Alabama football and basketball recruiting at the Tuscaloosa News and Rivals.com. Ostendorf graduated from the University of Alabama and currently resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Email him at gsostendorf.espn@gmail.com.
Alex Scarborough
Alex Scarborough joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering University of Alabama athletics and high school football for The Tuscaloosa News. He currently resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Email him at alexscarborough.espn@gmail.com.