ESPN College Football

The role of freshmen in college football seems to be increasing on an annual basis. Years ago, it took a Hershel Walker-type talent to break through as an influential player for a big-time college football program. Over the last several years, however, impact freshmen have been popping up all over the country, at all different positions.

The 2001 season was a breakthrough year for freshmen such as Texas LB Derrick Johnson, Oklahoma DT Tommie Harris and USC DT Shaun Cody. Everyone remembers the 2002 season for Ohio State freshman RB Maurice Clarett, but other precocious freshmen such as Tennessee RB Gerald Riggs Jr., Texas G Justin Blalock and DT Rodrique Wright and Virginia LB Daryl Blackstock made their mark. The numbers continued to grow in 2003, when rookies such as USC RB Reggie Bush, Florida State LB Ernie Sims, LSU RB Justin Vincent, Virginia LB Ahmad Brooks, LSU S LaRon Landry, Texas DB Michael Griffin, and the Florida trio of QB Chris Leak, RB Ciatrick Fason and WR Andre Caldwell stood out.

Last year's freshman class seemingly reached unmatchable heights with standout freshmen like Michigan QB Chad Henne and RB Mike Hart, Oklahoma RB Adrian Peterson, Ohio State FL Ted Ginn, Georgia Tech WR Calvin Johnson, Miami WR Lance Leggett, Notre Dame RB Darius Walker, Georgia RB Thomas Brown, USC WR Dwayne Jarrett, Arizona State TE Zach Miller and Boston College LB Brian Toal swept the nation.

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