A look at incoming true freshman or transfers who could make significant impacts for their teams this fall
With the college football season just two months away, it’s time to take a look at some new faces on teams this fall. No longer is it just freshman arriving on campus, but more transfers than ever are joining new teams.
Below is part one of who we feel could be that new face who contributes the most to their team’s success this year.
Illinois – WR Jafar Armstrong
With the Fighting Illini going through a coaching change this off-season, plenty of roster spots will be up for grabs as the new staff identifies the best talent at each position. Some areas have more depth than others, but wide receiver is not one of those positions.
That could mean that anyone with experience at receiver could be well ahead of any incoming freshman this year. Enter transfer receiver from Notre Dame, Jafar Armstrong. The junior receiver joins the Illini squad looking to secure a starting role entering the 2021 season.
Armstrong’s time at South Bend unfortunately was riddled with injuries, which made it hard for him to live up to his potential with the Irish. Still, Armstrong was able to post career totals of 30 receptions for 294 yards. Much of his production though came on the ground, as Armstrong amassed 513 yards rushing on 135 attempts, and 9 touchdowns.
If Armstrong can remain healthy he may provide Illinois with a versatile and much needed weapon on the perimeter.
Indiana – RB Stephen Carr
The Hoosiers rushing attack in 2020 was not very good. Finishing 114th out of 127 eligible schools is just not acceptable. Good news for Hoosier fans though is the team is working to fix that.
After bringing back Deland McCullough as running backs coach, Tom Allen worked on improving the roster at that position. Allen would ultimately do so through the transfer portal landing Stephen Carr from USC.
Carr is a former 5-star recruit from Fontana, California. He chose the Trojans coming out of high school initially, in part due to McCullough recruiting him to USC when he was the running backs coach there in 2017. Carr spent four years with the Trojans, amassing 264 carries for 1,319 yards and 12 touchdowns.
If Carr is healthy and ready on day one, Indiana may be able to combine a potent passing attack with a rejuvenated rushing game that could keep defenses off balance in 2021.
Iowa – WR Keagan Johnson
The Hawkeyes are entering 2021 looking to replace their top two receivers from last year as Brandon Smith and Ihmir Smith-Marsette have moved on to the NFL. Iowa will look to fill that void with some experienced players on the roster, but opportunities for younger guys to compete will exist.
One player who may be able to contribute is 4-star freshman, Keagan Johnson. The 6-1, 180 pound prospect hails from Bellevue, NE, and was the third best recruit coming out of the state in 2021. According to 247 sports, Johnson may be able to provide speed at the position as he routinely was faster than most defensive backs trying to cover him.
Johnson finished his high school career with 1,612 receiving yards, 104 catches, and 18 receiving touchdowns. It’s the type of production Kirk Ferentz and staff are looking to tap into this year and develop in the coming seasons.
Questions were raised by scouts about the competition Johnson faced at the high school level, but he does posses quite enough talent that he could see the field more often as the season carries on.
Maryland – LB Terrence Lewis
Maryland landed a huge commitment in 2021 when top inside linebacker Terrence Lewis committed to the Terrapins. When you land the top linebacker, and 20th overall prospect in the country, it’s safe to think he would see the field right away.
However, that may not be the case this year as Lewis was found to have torn his ACL during spring camp. The injury was actually sustained his senior year of high school, and didn’t keep Lewis out of any games. Reports are that he may recover enough that come September he could be on the field for the defense.
If he is healthy by that time, Lewis would be the focal point of rebuilding a defense that finished 85th in total defense and 80th in scoring.
Combine Lewis with the additional 4-star defensive recruits Maryland secured in 2021, and in a few years this class could form a strong defensive front for the Terrapins.
Michigan – LB Junior Colson
New defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald is coming to Ann Arbor from the NFL, where he spent years learning and working with the Baltimore Ravens defense. As players came and went, one thing remained the same, and that was the unit’s strong linebacker play.
Macdonald will have some returning players that he can utilize for his new scheme, however incoming freshman Junior Colson could end up pushing for time late in the season.
Colson was the 89th overall recruit in the 2021 class, and the 10th best linebacker prospect according to 247 Sports. Scouting reports indicate he’s a player who is fast and agile at the position, and looks to have a very high ceiling in terms of development.
Though some players may have more experience, everyone is starting fresh with the new scheme being put in place. If Colson can pick up the details quickly, Macdonald may have a player he can mold into a leader for his defense the next few years.