Several of the top football recruits have already begun their college careers by enrolling early. The extra time practicing alongside their college teammates could be huge heading into the 2016 season. Take a closer look at the 10 players you could hear a lot more about in the year ahead.
Kyle Davis, WR, Auburn
Auburn is just two years removed from playing in the National Championship Game, yet the Tigers program seems at a crossroads heading into 2016. This year's class may not be among the best in the school's history, but it features some key pieces, including Davis, a four-star wide receiver from Georgia. The departures of Ricardo Louis and Melvin Ray leave Auburn without its top receiving threats next season. That opens the door for players like Davis to step right into the mix this spring.
Jacob Eason, QB, Georgia
Eason's decision to enroll early at Georgia was good news for new coach Kirby Smart and his staff. The five-star quarterback out of Lake Steven Senior High in Washington has the skill set you look for in an elite quarterback: size, arm strength and accuracy. He passed for close to 10,000 yards with 102 touchdowns and just 18 interceptions during his four years in high school. Offensive coordinator Jim Chaney recruited Eason after joining the Bulldogs staff and will have the luxury of working with him this spring, making Eason the favorite to win the starting job this fall.
Feleipe Franks, QB, Florida
Florida coach Jim McElwain's first full recruiting class looks to be a good one, highlighted with 12 early enrollees _ including Franks. Some may see the four-star quarterback out of Wakulla High as the quarterback of the future for this program, but others believes the future is now. Florida's struggles at the quarterback position are well documented and with an unimpressive lineup of junior Treon Harris, redshirt junior Luke Del Rio, freshman Kyle Trask and Purdue transfer Austin Appleby on the roster for 2016, there is potential for Franks to make some noise this spring.
Daelin Hayes, LB, Notre Dame
Linebacker could be a major concern for Notre Dame after the departure of starters Jaylon Smith and Joe Schmidt. That's why it was so crucial for Brian Kelly and his staff to get Daelin Hayes, who passed on the opportunity to play at Michigan, Michigan State and USC. Hayes already has the physical ability to play the position _ measuring 6-foot-4 and 249-pounds _ and with a spring under his belt learning defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder's defensive schemes, he could be ready to step into the outside linebacker rotation next season for the Irish.
Malik Henry, QB, Florida State
Henry committed to Florida State this past November, giving the Seminoles the inside track on one of the top quarterbacks in the nation. The four-star athlete out of Long Beach, Calif., will spend his spring working with a roster that already features redshirt freshman Deondre Francois and sophomore J.J. Cosentino. Incumbent starter Sean Maguire will miss all of spring ball while recovering from a fractured ankle. His absence gives Henry a greater opportunity to take spring snaps and develop relationships with his new teammates as he gets acclimated to college.
Brandon McIlwain, QB, South Carolina
The next wave of great quarterbacks coming out the SEC is expected to begin with this recruiting class. New South Carolina coach Will Muschamp is no stranger to securing strong classes and this year's group centers around McIlwain, a four-star quarterback out of Council Rock North High in Newton, Pa. A fleet-footed two-sport athlete, McIlwain will join a roster that already features redshirt junior Perry Orth and freshman Lorenzo Nunez. He'll have an opportunity to work out this spring with new offensive coordinator Kurt Roper as South Carolina looks to bounce back from a dismal three-win season in 2015.
Austin Mack, WR, Ohio State
When Urban Meyer took over as head coach at Ohio State in 2012, one of the first things he focused on was upgrading the Buckeyes' roster with athletic speedsters _ similar to the ones he recruited at Florida. Mack, a four-star receiver out of Fort Wayne (Ind.) Bishop Luers, fits the description to a tee. He has the size (6-2, 205 pounds) and speed to become a threat. With Curtis Samuel as the only returning starter at receiver, Mack could find his way into the starting lineup sooner than later, especially if he can deliver a strong performance this spring.
Shea Patterson, QB, Ole Miss
A five-star quarterback out of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Patterson spurned programs like Alabama, LSU and USC in making his decision to play his college ball at Ole Miss. What Patterson lacks in size (6-1, 197 pounds) and arm strength, he makes up for with his accuracy and pocket awareness. He steps into a situation at Ole Miss where junior Chad Kelly is entrenched at the quarterback spot, making it likely Patterson will be redshirted next season. A strong spring, however, could go far in making his case as the quarterback of the future at Mississippi.
Marc Thompson, RB, Florida
Florida finished last season next to dead last in the SEC in rushing offense, averaging 126.9 yards per game. It's the second time in three years that the Gators have finished near the bottom of the league in rushing offense. Enter Marc Thompson, a four-star running back out of Dodge City Community College, who rushed for 1,292 and 18 touchdowns on 246 carries. He'll join a roster that includes sophomores Jordan Cronkrite and Jordan Scarlett.
Kareem Walker, RB, Michigan
Jim Harbaugh's first full recruiting class is on track to be one of the best in the school's recent history. Part of the class includes seven early enrollees, including Walker, a four-star running back out of DePaul Catholic High in Wayne, New Jersey. The star rusher tallied more than 4,500 yard rushing with 55 rushing touchdown during his prep career and could be a major piece in the Wolverines' offense next season. Michigan finished the 2015 season ranked eighth in the Big Ten in rushing offense with 158 yards per game and could use a boost from a player of Walker's caliber.
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