As we see college stars graduate or leave school early for the NFL, the cupboard gets refilled with wide-eyed freshmen who are ready to become the next big thing. Some will fulfill their potential with great college careers, while others may struggle to find their footing. Despite all of the stars that may be next to a player's name, he will have to bring it once he steps onto campus.
Still, there are some talented players out there who seemingly can't miss. The 25 teams below are banking on their highly ranked recruiting classes to bring success to their programs, and they all have that one guy who they are pointing at to be the star. Let's meet the best prospect from each of the top 25 recruiting classes.
1 of 25
Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Bresee will be the next great Clemson defensive lineman. He is exceptionally quick for a guy his size (6-foot-5, 290), which could allow him to move around the line and take snaps as an edge rusher. He is great at reading plays and working to get to the point of attack. Should be a top-five pick in a few years.
2 of 25
Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
A name you need to instantly know. With Tua Tagovailoa off to the NFL, there will be fierce competition between Young and Mac Jones for the Tide's starting job. Young has all the tools to put up Tua-like numbers while being a bit more mobile. Whether he starts immediately for Alabama will remain to be seen, but he will make a national impact sooner rather than later.
3 of 25
Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
Logan Riely/Getty Images
He has great size, speed, agility and likes to get physical with receivers. He also is impressive at running down tackles as well as helping with run defense. He's extremely aggressive, which could be a detriment at times but overall will serve him well.
Logan Riely/Getty Images
The tight end was a valuable tool in the Tigers offense last season, so Gilbert should find success in Baton Rouge. He is a great route runner who is quicker than most tight ends and employs a size advantage that shields defenders. Kind of in the OJ Howard mode of great athletes at that position.
Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
An exciting receiver with all the tools, Fleming has great ball skills, is physical, has excellent leaping ability and possesses the speed to turn up the field and make big plays. He is a tough player who will fit well with how the Buckeyes use their receivers. He also has a basketball background, which says a lot about his athleticism.
6 of 25
Haynes King, QB, Texas A&M
Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
King is a dual-threat quarterback who is a bit thin and will need to put in the work in the weight room. He is fantastic at throwing on the move, can stretch plays and has the arm strength and touch to find a receiver amid chaos. He also ran track in high school. With Kellen Mond entering his senior season and Jimbo Fisher's willingness to be patient with his QBs, don't expect to see King shine for a few years.
Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Dexter is an imposing figure who will be disruptive to offensive lines. He is quick and agile and has the ability to fight off blockers and make plays. The 6-foot-6 tackle from Lake Wales (FL) is a perfect addition to Dan Mullen's tough-minded defense.
Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
When you think of inside linebackers, Flowe fits that mold. With a solid frame and that fierceness that ILBs play with, Flowe has shown the leadership qualities you want in your defensive quarterback. He's a big hitter who leads with his play and his passion and will be a favorite among Ducks fans.
Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
When you are a running back named "Tank," it's obvious what running style he employs. Yes, Bigsby is a big, physical back with the ability to bowl over would-be tacklers, but he's also great in space and fast. Auburn has a nice history developing running backs, and Bigsby should continue that streak.
Joe Robbins/Getty Images
The in-state McGregor is strong, powerful and agile enough to be a disruptive edge defender in the Big Ten. He needs work at technique, but that will come with time in the Wolverines program. He already possesses ability to read, react and run down plays.
Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Lawrence could figure into a lot of roles during his time in Knoxville. Already a great safety with his great frame, ball skills and willingness to stick his nose into plays, he also has the athleticism to slide over to corner, the power to be a hybrid linebacker and the talent to get some snaps on the offensive end.
Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Jacobs is a skilled athlete who can do many things on a football field. As a linebacker in college, he should be great on the edge but excel in coverage. Has great instincts, can fight blockers and run down plays but has an offensive background that allows him to make plays on the ball.
13 of 25
Reggie Grimes, DE, Oklahoma
Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
An elite athlete who will put fear in opposing offenses for the next few years, Grimes is tough enough to stick plays run at him and skilled enough to chase plays down the line. He'll need to work on being a bit more physical, but he possesses unreal athleticism to make an immediate impact.
Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Rivers projects to be a tackle for the Hurricanes but could slide to guard. He is, quite simply, consistently powerful, which should wear on defensive lines as the game rolls along. He isn't the most athletic guy (which could lead to his move inside), but he brings it every play.
Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Mack Brown beat out Clemson and Alabama for this elite edge rusher. He will remind Tar Heel fans of Julius Peppers with his tall, athletic frame and his quickness off the snap. He should develop into someone who can play all over the line and disrupt blocking schemes.
Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Tate is a great cover corner who will only get better with some seasoning under college coaching. He already possesses the physical skills to be an impact defender but will need to work on technique to maximize those talents. He's outstanding at fighting for the ball and as a help defender.
Michael Hickey/Getty Images
A good ol'-fashioned physical Cornhusker lineman, Corcoran is a great run blocker with fantastic hands and a nasty streak. He doesn't really have a set position yet due to his body frame, but he has outstanding quickness and technique to work with as coaches add some bulk to him.
Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Smalls is outstanding at reacting to what the offense is doing and is a fine pass rusher who also can drop back in coverage. He is great at jumping off at the snap and running down ball carriers. Smalls will be able to line up at multiple spots and create stress for offenses.
19 of 25
Drew Pyne, QB, Notre Dame
Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Pyne is a pro-style quarterback who has a great release and touch on his throws. He doesn't have the height you'd want in that kind of QB (just 6-feet tall), but he is mobile and has a great pocket presence. The key will be if he can develop a deep ball.
Frederick Breedon/Getty Images
He isn't the tallest guy, but he has a solid build and a powerful core. He played on both the offensive and defensive lines in high school but likely will stay on the D-line at Kentucky, which is one of the reasons he committed to the Wildcats. As one of the highest rated recruits in program history, it will be interesting to see how head coach Mark Stoops navigates Rogers' career.
Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Burch is a fiery pass rusher who combines power and athleticism to create arguably the best recruit at South Carolina since Jadeveon Clowney. One concern is that LSU is attempting to flip him to Baton Rouge. A big story to keep an eye on in the SEC.
Logan Riely/Getty Images
One of the top running back recruits who was highly sought after by big name programs, Robinson has compact power. When he gets in open space, he can turn it on and make huge plays. He eventually will be a big time player nationally.
Julio Aguilar/Getty Images
Hinton has massive size (6-foot-6, 300-plus pounds) with long arms who can keep defenders off his body. He has outstanding footwork for a guy his size and should eventually be highly coveted by the NFL.
Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Sims is the dual-threat quarterback whom the Yellow Jackets have built their offense around for over a decade. Not only does he possess a great arm and legs to lead Tech's run-heavy attack, but he also has been improving as he enters college. He initially committed to Florida State before switching to Georgia Tech during the early signing period.
Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Herm Edwards is building something nice in Tempe, and Ngata will be part of it. He is on the smaller size but still runs with power and has great hands. He should instantly be able to make an impact on the Sun Devils offense, as the team loses Eno Benjamin to the NFL with no obvious candidate in place to take on the role.