5 Freshmen Who Will Make An Instant Impact In SEC Football In 2015

The SEC is the best college football conference in the country, so it's rare for true freshmen to come in and make an impact. However, every year there are a few that breakout and become impact players in their first year on campus. Here are the five that will do that this fall:

Byron Cowart, DE, Auburn Tigers

Cowart has the size (6’4″, 250 lbs.) and speed (4.6 40-yard dash) that had college coaches drooling, so it's no wonder Auburn coaches were celebrating like they had just won a game when the nation's top recruit committed to the Tigers. He'll have an immediate impact rushing the passer and will develop into a star under Will Muschamp.

Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama Crimson Tide

The Alabama Crimson Tide are expected to take a step back on offense in 2015 with the departure of star wideout Amari Cooper, but the signing of Calvin Ridley, the No. 1 receiver in the country, should change that. He needs to bulk up at the college level, but he has the speed and hands to become an immediate deep threat that will strike fear in opposing secondaries.

CeCe Jefferson, DE, Florida Gators

Jefferson is the most physically ready defensive end in this class at 6’2″ and 275 pounds, and he has the speed to be a menace off the edge. Many expect him to take the place of Dante Fowler, who now plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

Martez Ivey, OL, Florida Gators

Remember the days of Florida offensive lineman blocking each other? Yeah, Ivey will put an end to that. The big 6’6″, 275-pound tackle is viewed as someone who can anchor the Gators’ offensive line for the next three years.

Terry Beckner, Jr., DT, Missouri Tigers

Missouri desperately needed to to find someone to help their defensive line after losing Shane Ray to the draft, and Beckner is the kind of game-changer they were looking for. At 6’4″ and 293 pounds, he's good a rushing the passer (something you don't see in most defensive tackles), but he'll have the biggest impact in Missouri's run defense. The Tigers had a ton of trouble trying to slow down Georgia and Alabama's rushing attacks, and Beckner is the kind of player that can plug holes in the line to disrupt the opposition.