Freshmen Preview: The Next Wave of Stars

One of the joys of playing in a college fantasy league is the different league styles you can choose from. For some, a re-draft league annually with Power 5 conferences is enough. Others prefer playing in a dynasty format, where players are selected as freshmen and owned for the duration of their college careers.

If you play in the first type of league, you're only interested in the freshmen who can make an immediate impact for you. In the second league, the years two through four of a player's career matter more than the first. This article will work to identify players of value for both league types.

The incoming quarterback crop appears to offer some intriguing dynasty league options, but not a lot of immediate starting opportunities. As such, if you're in a redraft league and hoping to find a new name under center, you'll likely be disappointed.

Instant Impact

Josh Rosen, UCLA

Rosen represents the "sure thing" of this year's quarterback class. He's in the Jimmy Clausen mold in that he's been groomed for the opportunity that is now in front of him. He's lacking a star receiver to ease the transition, but Rosen will start against Virginia in the season opener, ensuring a strong probability that he starts at least the next 35 regular season games to follow.

Jake Browning, Washington

I'm taking a little leap of faith here and assuming coach Chris Peterson anoints his chosen quarterback recruit the team's starter sooner rather than later. There's little doubt that Browning is going to be groomed to be the face of Peterson's Huskies – it's really just a question of when it'll happen. During fall camp, Browning will battle Jeff Lindquist and K.J. Carta-Samuels for starting responsibilities. The immediate upside is certainly lacking, but Browning has a chance to play early given Washington's lack of strong competing options at quarterback.

Long-Term Bets

Jarrett Stidham, Baylor

Dynasty quarterback holds are all about upside, and increasingly about system. As long as Art Briles remains in Waco, Stidham is a near must-hold. He was on campus for spring practice, and while a redshirt year is likely, he's no more than two seasons away from the keys to this offense, which led the nation in points per game each of the last two years.

Travis Jonsen, Oregon

The Ducks' quarterback situation is completely up in the air with recent news of Vernon Adams' transfer issues. Jonsen, at worst, is a system gamble who could pay huge dividends in a few years. And if he doesn't, the cost will be so minimal where nothing has been lost, and you can dive right back in to a similar upside pick. And there's an outside shot he earns reps immediately.

Tyler Hilinski, Washington State

If you're willing to draft freshmen quarterbacks that aren't going to immediately play, you're drafting on the premise that talent + system = success. So long as Mike Leach is in Pullman, the team is going to throw 40-to-60 times weekly. Hilinski is the highest rated quarterback in Leach's tenure, and while it's anyone's guess as to when his time will come, when it does, his owners will be rewarded.

David Sills, West Virginia

Remember some six years ago when a seventh grader committed to Southern Cal after an offer from Lane Kiffin? That player was Sills, who fell out of favor with the Trojans' current staff, but may have landed in a better situation for fantasy purposes. Sills will likely start the year as a backup, but presumed starter Skyler Howard will need to improve his accuracy if he's going to hold off Sills for too long.

Brandon Wimbush, Notre Dame

Wimbush is a tough one to peg, as his talent alone merits stashing on a roster, but his path to starting is blocked, likely for two years, by Malik Zaire. Still, Wimbush is the current favorite to eventually succeed Zaire, and coach Brian Kelly has a consistent history of getting above average production out of his quarterbacks.

Kyler Murray, Texas A&M

Murray stuck to his commitment to the Aggies over a potential first-round selection in the Major League Baseball draft, and the presences of last year's top quarterback recruit, Kyle Allen. His 5-foot-11, 170-pound frame is slight and enough to pump the brakes for some, but he's not going to sit in College Station forever. A small package of plays is likely early in his career, and the rest has a way of sorting itself out.

Dwayne Lawson, Virginia Tech

Lawson has the most upside of any quarterback in Blacksburg, but his late arrival to campus will hinder his ability to start from Day 1. At 6-foot-6, 215 pounds with mobility, Lawson has as much, if not more, fantasy appeal than former Hokie quarterback Logan Thomas. His size is what is attractive here, giving him plenty of goal-line scoring potential.

Deondre Francois, Florida State

A look ahead to 2016 shows Francois, redshirt senior Sean Maguire, J.J. Cosentino and current verbal commitment Malik Henry battling to start in Tallahassee. Henry recently was forced to leave the IMG Academy for attitude concerns, so Francois might have an easier time gaining traction in the Florida State program.

Kyle Kearns, Wake Forest

Kearns is part of a historic recruiting class for head coach David Clawson, and while his long term potential is heavily dependent upon improving the skill players around him, Kearns, a consensus four-star recruit, didn't choose to enroll clear across the country from his California home and not play. Still, John Wolford is likely to start for at least 2015, and the struggles of the Wake Forest program further push Kearns into the margins as a long-term lottery ticket.

Big Fish, Small Pond (top ranked recruits at non-Power 5 schools)

Brett Rypien, Boise State

Rypien is a consensus four-star recruit, making him one of the school's highest profile enrollees ever. He enrolled early with his eyes on starting this fall and remains in a battle with Ryan Finley. Rypien is the nephew of former Washington Redskins' quarterback Mark Rypien, and while the quarterback battle could linger into the season, it's easy to see Rypien taking control of things as he gets more comfortable with the speed of the college game. Still, Finley is considered the general favorite for 2015.

Chad President, Tulsa

President enrolled early and has gained valuable experience in new coach Philip Montgomery's system this spring. He chose Tulsa over Baylor, and brings a dynamic dual-threat skill set to a conference that won't have defenses equipped to handle his natural ability. He's unlikely to unseat Dane Evans in 2015, and a redshirt year would do no harm, but President has the look of a tremendous future fantasy asset.

Ben Hicks, SMU

Matt Davis is the general favorite to start for SMU as former Clemson coordinator Chad Morris takes over the head coaching job with the Mustangs, but Hicks has already been anointed the future starter. Davis is a junior, so a two-year wait should be the worst-case scenario for Hicks, who arrives to SMU as a solid three-star recruit. The Mustangs also added a bunch of high-quality receiver talent in this recruiting class, ensuring Hicks' long-term efficiency outlook.

Regardless of your preferred scouting service, there were over 30 running backs ranked as four-star recruits or higher, so simply selecting a few to hold on to won't be an issue. Finding the right ones to play, play earlier, and play well is a little more challenging given the vast array of options.

Instant Impact

Jacques Patrick, Florida State

Patrick was my favorite incoming running back for the 2015 season before Dalvin Cook's legal troubles, largely due to the 'Noles proclivity to share carries among two or three backs. At 6-foot-1, 232 pounds, Patrick has the frame to impose his will between the tackles, making him a likely candidate for red-zone carries. With Cook looking unlikely to play in the immediate future, Patrick has a real chance to emerge as the team's lead back. He impressed during spring practice and has surprising speed for someone his size.

Larry Scott, Michigan State

The Spartan backfield has the look of a committee for the foreseeable future, and I'm personally a fan of Madre London, who's competing with Scott and Gerald Holmes for snaps. But Scott's ability will have him in the mix for carries immediately, and his 215-pound frame suggests he can handle the rigors of a Big 10 schedule.

Long-Term Bets

Damien Harris, Alabama

Ho hum, another top-rated running back has landed in Tuscaloosa. Harris will have to wait his turn, but his turn will come, and you know what production to expect from a 'Bama starting tailback.

Derrius Guice, LSU

Guice falls into a similar category as Harris. He's too good not to draft and stash, but the talent ahead of him suggests he is at least one year, if not more, away from seeing significant carries. He is expected to play this year and not redshirt, but likely only spelling sophomore's Leonard Fournette and Darrel Williams.

Mike Weber, Ohio State

The 2016 Buckeye backfield looks like a Weber versus Curtis Samuel battle to replace Ezekiel Elliott, who is likely to leave for the NFL. The Buckeyes' top running back has produced over 1,500 yards in each of the last two seasons, and at least 11 touchdowns in three seasons. That makes Weber someone to hold onto until he gets his turn.

Mark Walton, Miami (FL)

Waltons is one of the top backs entering college this year and has the opportunity to play immediately. Joseph Yearby looks more and more like a change-of-pace option, and Gus Edwards might lack game-breaking upside. It would not be surprising to see Walton emerge as the 'Canes heir apparent to Duke Johnson by the end of 2015, but almost certainly no later than a year from now.

Soso Jamabo, UCLA

Jamabo has officially enrolled at UCLA despite an arrest in Texas the evening of his senior prom. It's possible that legal snafu keeps his draft value down, but he's still the favorite to eventually take over as starter once Paul Perkins moves on to the NFL.

Big Fish, Small Pond

T.J. Simmons, Temple

A one-time UCLA commitment who is from South Florida, Simmons has the talent to start immediately in Philadelphia though Zaire Williams and Jahad Thomas are also in on the hunt. The Owls need to boost their 118th-ranked rushing attack from a year ago, and Simmons is the thoroughbred to do just that.

Tyreik Gray, Houston

Gray openly talks about choosing Houston because of new head coach Tom Herman, whose offense at Ohio State produced terrific fantasy running backs, as noted above. Gray isn't built like the Buckeye backs at 5-foot-11, 182 pounds, but his speed should play well in space in Conference USA. He could be next in line as starter once Kenneth Farrow graduates after this season.

Receiver is another position with a plethora of options, but it's also a position where it can take the top-ranked players a few seasons to make the adjustment to college ball. Picking the right system is as important as picking the most talented option when looking for immediate contributions.

Instant Impact

Christian Kirk, Texas A&M

An early enrollee, Kirk has been anointed a starter at one of the Aggies four receiving spots, as well as at kick returner. He's dynamic with the ball in his hands, and could create a lot of mismatches lining up in the slot. Kirk has earned constant praise since arriving at A&M, and it seems like the hype is warranted.

George Campbell, Florida State

Campbell is very raw as a receiver, but his athleticism makes up for quite a bit of that rawness, and he possesses perhaps the greatest upside of this year's receiving class. At 6-foot-3 with speed to burn, Campbell appears to have forced his way into an unsettled receiving rotation in Tallahassee. There will be some growing pains, which could require patience from those who draft Campbell, but the ceiling is immense.

Long-Term Bets

Deon Cain, Clemson

On talent alone, Cain could have a Sammy Watkins-like effect on the Tigers offense. The problem for Cain is there are only so many balls to go around, and Mike Williams and Artavis Scott will demand those. Mix in Germone Hopper and an allegedly healthy Charonne Peake, and Cain might have to wait his turn. That said, he's the next star receiver for the Tigers.

Calvin Ridley, Alabama

Ridley is arguably the top rated receiver entering college this year, which will lead to him being selected early in dynasty leagues. He absolutely has Amari Cooper-type upside, especially as long as Lane Kiffin sticks around Alabama. The Crimson Tide also have an unsettled receiving depth chart, and Ridley has impressed his teammates since arriving on campus in May. But at just 180 pounds, Ridley isn't physically ready to assume a lead role just yet. Ridley will catch passes this year, but his better days are in 2016 and beyond.

Da'Vante Phillips, Florida State

Entering spring, Phillips was more likely to make an impact that fellow 'Nole George Campbell thanks to his college-ready frame and polished route running ability. He missed spring practice while recovering from groin surgery and now will start the fall having to make up ground. Campbell's electric spring, and the presence of sophomores Travis Rudolph and Ermon Lane make it less likely Phillips has a big impact in 2015.

Blake Lynch, Baylor

At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Lynch is ready to play now in an offense that runs 100 plays nightly. There is no shortage of options for quarterback Seth Russell however, so 2016 seems like the time Lynch breaks out. Redshirt freshman Ishmael Zamora is also a player to watch in redraft leagues.

Equanimeous St. Brown, Notre Dame

I'm a sucker for tall receivers, and St. Brown fits that bill at 6-foot-5. He has some filling out to do, and the Irish have plenty of experienced depth ahead of St. Brown, who did not arrive on campus until June, so he's a developmental prospect. But a blue chip developmental prospect.

Big Fish, Small Pond

Tristan Payton, UCF

Payton de-committed from Florida and Southern Cal before staying home to play for the Golden Knights. Those offers alone speak to Payton's talent and potential. UCF has a budding quarterback in Justin Holman, and lost their top four receivers from a season ago, who totaled 174 catches, 2,610 yards and 20 touchdowns. Payton has every opportunity to be a major contributor from Day 1.

Desean Holmes, San Diego State

Holmes is another one-time USC Trojan commitment who landed in the Mountain West Conference instead. The Aztecs don't throw often or well, but Holmes has the ability to get on the field early, and could demand touches once on the field.

James Proche, WR, SMU

If you're buying into the Chad Morris system and rebuild at SMU, Proche is a good place to start. A slot receiver with return ability, Proche could become a playmaker early on behind Courtland Sutton and Darius Joseph, and his long-term outlook is quite good with quarterback Ben Hicks also arriving as a true freshman.