Signing Period No. 2 is now officially complete – aka, the OG National Signing Day – so it’s time to look forward to how these freshmen will help their teams during the 2018 season.

It's not easy to play as a true freshman, but there are a number of top contributors each year who manage to do so. With that in mind, 247Sports put together our "All-Impact Team" for the 2018 class. The 24-man unit (11 offensive players, 11 defensive players and two on special teams) doesn't necessarily include the most talented players in the 2018 class, but instead looks at the prospects with the best combination of ready-to-play skill and depth chart opportunity.

With that in mind, we present our "All-Impact Team" of newly signed recruits for the 2018 season.

(Note: We only included true freshmen on this list.)



Quarterback

JT Daniels, USC: Daniels was the consensus top-ranked quarterback in the 2019 class not too long ago. After reclassifying, Daniels is a real threat to be USC’s starting signal caller next season. The five-star passer has all the tools necessary to follow Sam Darnold. He’s got a big arm, an innate understanding of the game and is already rather polished. Daniels will compete with underclassmen Matt Fink and Jack Sears. But as Daniels showed at the Army Bowl when he was the best QB all week, he’s more than ready to compete at the collegiate level.

Also Look Out For: Justin Rogers (TCU), Emory Jones (Florida), Spencer Sanders (Oklahoma State), Adrian Martinez (Nebraska)

Running Back

Ricky Person, NC State: There won’t be a shortage of running backs who can contribute right away, but Person is the best combination of talent and opportunity. 247Sports’ No. 2 overall running back, Person (6-foot-2) is a big-bodied playmaker blessed with great quickness to go along with a willing physicality. Person is a huge get for the Wolfpack, especially with Nyheim Hines and Jaylen Samuels (1,515 yards, 24 TDs between them) both headed to the NFL. An early enrollee, watch for Person to emerge as NC State’s feature back by the time 2018 comes to an end.

Also Look Out For: Lorenzo Lingard (Miami), Harold Joiner/Asa Martin (Auburn), Keaontay Ingram (Texas), Jamal Elliott (Oregon), Zamir White/James Cook (Georgia), Craig Williams (Baylor)

Wide Receiver

Jordyn Adams, North Carolina: As my colleague Barton Simmons put it earlier this week, Adams is “already a pro.” The son of North Carolina’s defensive line coach, Adams is well aware what it takes to succeed on the college level. The five-star prospect, per 247Sports, is also a heck of an athlete with great size (6-foot-2), speed and polish. Once Adams begins to add a bit of weight to his 175-pound frame, watch out. It should be noted that Adams could well be playing minor league baseball instead of football next season. He’s a star baseball prospect who will likely be selected high in the 2018 MLB Draft.

CJ Moore, Oklahoma State: Nobody threw it better than Oklahoma State a year ago, and that’s not likely to change even with players like Mason Rudolph, James Washington and Marcell Ateman on the way out. That means there will be plenty of opportunities for Moore, a 6-foot-5 athletic freak who will also long jump for OSU. Moore’s future is brighter than his present as he needs to add strength to his wiry 175-pound frame, but he’s too talented an athlete to be kept off the field next year.

Rondale Moore, Purdue: He may not be the largest WR (5-foot-8.5, 174 pounds), but Moore is a plug-and-play slot threat for the Boilermakers. Moore flipped from Texas to Purdue on the strength of his relationship with Jeff Brohm. Expect that bond to result in several years of high-level production in Brohm’s explosive offense. There's plenty of opportunity for Moore right away. Purdue's top two receivers from a year ago graduated.

Also Look Out For: Amon-Ra St. Brown (USC), Terrace Marshall (LSU), Justin Shorter (Penn State)

Tight End

Jeremy Ruckert, Ohio State: Ohio State’s tight end production under Urban Meyer has been almost non-existent. That could finally change in 2018 with the arrival of Ruckert. A five-star prospect per 247Sports, Ruckert is an elite combination of size (6-foot-6, 238 pounds), route-running acumen and pass-catching ability. With Marcus Baugh graduating, there's an immediate need for Ruckert in the two-deep. Anyway, why should I explain Ruckert’s potential when Meyer can do it for me?

"I think Jeremy Ruckert might be the best tight end prospect that I've ever seen and recruited," Meyer said at his Early Signing Period press conference. "His skill set is ridiculous."

Also Look Out For: Zack Kuntz/Pat Freiermuth (Penn State), Brevin Jordan (Miami), Mustapha Muhammad (Michigan)

Offensive Tackle

Brey Walker, Oklahoma: There isn’t a harder position to project a Year 1 starter at than offensive tackle, but Walker will have a shot with the Sooners. A 6-foot-7, 320-pound mountain, Walker was dominant in high school and on the camp circuit. More importantly, he’s nasty with great length and good technique for a high school senior. Orlando Brown is headed to the NFL, which means Bobby Evans will likely flip to left tackle. That leaves a hole on the right side. Rising senior swing tackle Quinn Mittermeier could fill it, but we like Walker’s upside here.

Spencer Burford-Watts, UTSA: A last-minute four-star addition in the 247Sports rankings, Burford-Watts had a killer senior year. At 6-foot-3, 289 pounds, Burford-Watts is a beast in the trenches capable of playing multiple positions. That’s huge for the Roadrunners after losing three o-line starters from their year-end depth chart. Give Frank Wilson and his staff a lot of credit for their evaluation. They found a gem.

Also Look Out For: Cade Mays (Georgia), Junior Angilau (Texas), Casey Holman (Duke)

Offensive Guard

Jamaree Salyer/Trey Hill, Georgia: There’s a lot of beef between these two offensive guards – 688 pounds of it – and both will have an opportunity to start for Georgia next season. Salyer, 247Sports’ top-ranked offensive guard in the 2018 class, is “ready” to play next season. He’s advanced physically, smart and is the right amount of mean in pads. Hill is an early enrollee and nearly as physically imposing as Salyer. Georgia doesn’t actually have an open guard spot along the line, but expect both to push Kendall Baker in fall camp. Baker earned a 70 grade from PFF for the 2017 season, a weak link among an o-line group that overachieved.

Avery Jones, North Carolina: Three of North Carolina’s top four guards from last season graduated this offseason, and Jones, 247Sports’ No. 4 guard in the 2017 class, has the potential to step in and play from Day 1. Jones isn’t as ready as Salyer, but he’s got great size and the flexibility to play anywhere along the interior of the line. He needs to add a bit more weight and improve on his technique, but that’s normal with a true freshman. Jones is also very much a name to watch at center.

Also Look Out For: Ollie Lane (Tennessee), John Harris (Virginia Tech)

Center

Hank Manos, South Carolina: With Alan Knott graduating, the Gamecocks don’t really have a true center on the roster. Well, except Manos. A four-star prospect and the No. 6 overall center in the 2018 class, per 247Sports, Manos is an early enrollee with the frame, smarts and toughness to start from the jump. A state-champion wrestler, Manos is powerfully built at 6-foot-4, 275 pounds. He also brings experience to the position having played center in high school. Those in Columbia are said to love what Manos brings to the table.

Also Look Out For: Justin Dedich (USC)

Defensive End

Dante Stills, West Virginia: Nobody on West Virginia’s roster had more than five sacks in 2017. Stills, the Mountaineers’ top-ranked signee, could help change that. A big-bodied strongside end at 6-foot-4, 265 pounds, Stills is heavy on both speed and athleticism for his size. He needs to improve on his technique, but someone with his skillset is capable of making a difference on athleticism alone. The Mountaineers need a disruptor off the edge to complement star DT Lamonte Mcdougle, and Stills is more than capable of doing that in West Virginia’s 3-4 system.

Stacy Kirby, South Florida: A longtime FSU commit, Kirby and the Seminoles parted ways when Willie Taggart took over in Tallahassee. The result of that is Charlie Strong and his staff having an instant-impact defensive signee drop in their lap at the last minute. USF must replace three of its four defensive line starters, and Kirby is well positioned to fill one of those roles. A strong run defender with a high motor, Kirby should fit in quite well with the Bulls even if he's a bit of a tweener at 6-foot-3, 248 pounds.

Also Look Out For: Brenton Cox (Georgia), Xavier Thomas (Clemson), Ron Tatum (Oklahoma), Tyreke Smith (Ohio State)

Defensive Tackle

Nesta Silvera, Miami: It went down to the last day, but the Hurricanes were able to hang on and sign Silvera. It’s a good thing they did, because he’s ready to help on the defensive line from Day 1. Miami lost a number of defensive line contributors to the NFL, including starting DT Kendrick Norton. That creates opportunity for Silvera, and we don't think he'll waste it. A 6-foot-2, 308-pound powerhouse, Silvera is a high-motor player with the talent to match.

Austin Fontaine, Maryland: Give D.J. Durkin a lot of credit for making in-state talent a priority. Fontaine, from local powerhouse DeMatha Catholic, is a prime example of that. The Terps’ top-rated defensive signee also fills a huge need in the middle of the defense. All three of Maryland’s d-line starters from a year ago are gone, and that’s coming off a year when the Terps struggled to stop the run. Fontaine is a powerful athlete with good pad level and a strong base. If he can improve his quickness a bit, he should be a contributor from the jump. Three-star early enrollee, Jalen Alexander, will also have a chance to play at DT for the Terps.

Also Look Out For: Taron Vincent/Tommy Togiai (Ohio State), Jayson Ademilola (Notre Dame), PJ Mustipher (Penn State)

Middle Linebacker

Micah Parsons, Penn State: Long projected as an edge rusher, Parsons will begin his Penn State career as a middle linebacker. He’s never played the position before, but here’s to betting the 6-foot-3, 235-pound freak athlete can handle the transition. He started watching video of Sean Lee well before enrolling at Penn State, and he’s more than intelligent enough to pick up the position quickly. Brent Pry had a need at MIKE and believed Parsons could fill it. He’ll have competition from fellow early enrollees Jesse Luketa and Nick Tarburton at the position. But Parsons will play in 2018 either way. The nation's No. 5 overall prospect is far too talented not to.

Also Look Out For: Alston Orji (Vanderbilt), Jack Lamb (Notre Dame), Vinny Depalma (Boston College)

Outside Linebacker

Shayne Simon, Notre Dame: Slated for the Irish’s Rover role, Simon is in position to contribute immediately. This, of course, is dependent upon Drue Tranquill moving to the BUCK position, which seems likely this spring. If the Rover is open, Simon is the ideal candidate to fill it. A rangy, 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, Simon is great in run support and is an effective blitzer off the edge. In addition, he’s pretty well developed in terms of his ability to cover in the open field. He’ll have competition from Asmar Bilal, but Bilal didn’t look great a year ago when asked to play the Rover spot.

Eriq Gilyard, UCF: The Knights’ highest-ranked commit is a good bet to play right away. UCF loses two of its three starting linebackers, and Gilyard, at 5-foot-11, 225 pounds, is physically set to play on the DI level. A thumper in the run game, Gilyard does need to improve in coverage. There are some young players on UCF’s roster ready to step in. But Gilyard, an early enrollee, is ready to play. It’s going to be hard to keep him off the field.

Also Look Out For: Payton Wilson (NC State), Cameron McGrone (Michigan)

Cornerback

Patrick Surtain Jr., Alabama: The National Signing Day prize of Alabama's 2018 class, Surtain is a Day 1 difference maker for the Tide. A 6-foot-2, 199-pound corner, Surtain is long, fast and physical, exactly the mold Saban desires his DBs to be. Surtain is already technically sound and pretty physically developed for his age. Considering that Alabama is replacing all five of its starting defensvie backs, Surtain is in a great position to potentially start from the jump. He's the nation's top-ranked corner for a reason, and he's got the bloodlines to know exactly what's expected of him when he steps onto a college campus

Corione Harris, Kansas: You need quality defensive back play to have success in the Big 12. Kansas, a year after finishing 126th in passing defense, needs some help. So in comes Harris, a rare four-star recruit for the Jayhawks. A long corner at 6-foot, 165 pounds, Harris showed great ball skills in high school and was an apt tackler. Kansas doesn’t graduate anyone from its starting secondary. But Harris should find his way onto the field anyway. He’s instantly one of the Jayhawks’ most talented players.

Also Look Out For: Brendan Radley-Hiles (Oklahoma), Tyson Campbell (Georgia), Anthony Cook (Texas), Josh Jobe (Alabama)

Safety

Caden Sterns, Texas: The Longhorns have needs across the secondary, including at safety, corner and potentially nickel. Sterns, rated as the nation’s top-ranked safety, can play either of the two former spots. He’s likely best suited by the safety position previously occupied by Thorpe Award Finalist Deshon Elliott. A rangy athlete with great cover skills and an impressive level of polish, Sterns should slot well into that position. Elliott picked off six passes a year ago, and Sterns has the type of hands to take advantage of those same opportunities.

Quindarious (Smoke) Monday, Auburn: It didn’t take Monday long to make an impression on the Auburn campus. When departing safety Tray Matthews was asked about who had next in the Auburn secondary, the first name out of his mouth was Monday. An early enrollee, Monday will attempt to fill a big hole on the depth chart as Auburn’s top three rotational safeties departed this offseason. Monday, an elite athlete with good coverage skills, should challenge for a starting spot from the jump. You could also say the same thing about his fellow early enrollee at safety, Jamien Sherwood.

Also Look Out For: Jaiden Woodbey (Florida State), Nikko Hall (Colorado State), Cam’ron Jones (Nebraska), Christian Morgan (Baylor)

Kicker

Evan McPherson, Florida: It’s going to be hard to replace Eddy Pineiro, who left school early to enter the NFL Draft. The most accurate kicker in Gators history, Pineiro hit 29 of his 30 field goals to end his college career. That leads us to McPherson, who was the consensus top kicker in the 2018 class. An Under Armour All-American, McPherson has range from 50 yards-plus.

Also Look Out For: Cameron Dicker (Texas), Jake Pinegar (Penn State)

Punter

Ryan Bujcevski, Texas: No punter has bigger shoes to fill than Bujcevski, who will take over for Ray Guy Award winner Michael Dickson. That said, Bujcevski is very familiar with Dickson’s shoes being his cousin. The Longhorns’ second straight ProKick Australia signee at the position, Bujcevski is the top-rated punter in the 247Sports Composite rankings.

Also Look Out For: Jake Camarda (Georgia), Skyler DeLong (Alabama)