No matter how highly rated or athletically gifted a prospect might be, it's certainly not a given that he'll make a splash as a true freshman. For every Herschel Walker, who in his first collegiate game led Georgia to a season-opening win over Tennessee in 1980 and never looked back, there are hundreds more players like Michael Vick, who redshirted as a freshman.

A lot of factors come into play -- whether the player even qualifies academically; what position he plays, how steep its learning curve is, or whether he ends up changing positions; who's ahead of him on the depth chart; how well or poorly his team fares; whether there's been an offseason change in coaching staff or offensive/defensive philosophy; or whether he can avoid injuries.

Given all that, here are 10 players, listed alphabetically, from the Class of 2001 who I think have the best chance to make an immediate impact this season:

Cedric Benson, RB, Texas
6-0, 200, 4.5, Midland-Lee, Texas
Benson was the closest RB in size, speed and ability to Emmitt Smith in this past class, and he has a great chance to battle incumbent Victor Ike for the starting job. As one of the most productive backs in state high school history, he certainly has the credentials.

	Ahmad Carroll

Ahmad Carroll, DB, Arkansas
6-0, 193, 4.35, Atlanta-Douglass, Ga.
The fastest prospect in Georgia high school football history, Carroll chose the Razorbacks over Florida and Georgia not only because the renowned track program at Fayetteville, but also because he could get playing time faster. Cornerbacks can compensate for inexperience with athletic ability, and Carroll is certainly loaded with that attribute.

	Shaun Cody

Shaun Cody, DL, USC
6-5, 265, 4.65, Hacienda Heights-Los Altos, Calif.
The pass rush was a weakness at USC last season, and coaches have told Cody that he can make an immediate impact in that area, competing with DT Omar Nazel and DE Lonnie Ford for playing time. He was the nation's top defensive prospect as well as the top pass rusher last season and is up to 265 pounds, which is big enough for him to play on the corner at the college level.

	Roscoe Crosby

Roscoe Crosby, WR, Clemson
6-3, 197, 4.38, Union, S.C.
Crosby was considered one of the top five prospects nationally in football as well as baseball in the Class of 2001, and unlike the No. 1 prospect, QB Joe Mauer, he will play college football and pro baseball. Coach Bowden has Clemson throwing the ball and using a spread offense that deploys a lot of WRs, and Crosby is more talented than any of the current wideouts, which should bode well for early playing time.

	Brodie Croyle

Brodie Croyle, QB, Alabama
6-4, 200, 4.65, Rainbow City-Westbrook Christian, Ala.
A lot of Alabama fans are looking at Croyle as the savior of the program, and his early commitment certainly helped salvage the Tide's 2001 class in the face of the NCAA investigation. 'Bama has two experienced but not overwhelming QBs -- Andrew Zow and Tyler Watts -- and Croyle has been guaranteed a shot at the starting job. The coaches may or may not want to take a chance on his inexperience, but he has more natural ability than the other two competitors.

	Tommie Harris

Tommie Harris, DL, Oklahoma
6-3, 277, 4.7, Killeen-Ellison, Texas
Oklahoma coaches have told him that he can make an immediate impact at either defensive end or defensive tackle, where he can be expected to battle Kory Klein and Dan Cody for playing time. He has the body type and explosive moves to play both of those defensive-line positions and was one of the three most productive high school DL in the nation last season.

	Kevin Jones

Kevin Jones, RB, Virginia Tech
6-1, 215, 4.2, Springfield-Cardinal O'Hara, Pa.
With the loss of Michael Vick, the Hokies needed a marquee name, and Jones, the nation's top RB prospect in the Class of 2001, certainly filled that requirement. Virginia Tech already has a big-time RB in Lee Suggs, but Jones has been promised playing time, and he's bigger and faster than Suggs. Running back is usually the position at which freshmen can play the fastest, and I expect Jones to team with Suggs and form a super rushing offense.

	D.J. Shockley

D.J. Shockley, QB, Georgia
6-2, 190, 4.4, College Park-N. Clayton, Ga.
The Bulldogs lost starter Quincy Carter to the NFL Draft, and Shockley was told that he could have a chance to play right away. He's a better prospect and has more ability than either of the two other players vying for the job, Cory Phillips and David Greene. If Georgia gets off to a slow start, coach Richt won't be criticized for bringing in a freshman QB. Shockley is one of the more athletic QBs you'll find and is a leader on and off the field, with all the intangibles for success.

	Matt Ware

Matt Ware, DB, UCLA
6-3, 195, 4.38, Los Angeles-Loyola, Calif.
Probably the best safety prospect in the nation last season, Ware is the kind of player that many in the Pac-10 believe will start right away. The position is open for him to take, and I expect him to get significant playing time early, given his athletic ability and the fact that he may be the best safety prospect at UCLA since Kenny Easley.

	Reggie Williams

Reggie Williams, WR, Washington
6-4, 215, 4.38, Tacoma-Lakes, Wash.
At 6-foot-4 and as the state high school sprint champion, Williams was probably the Class of 2001's version of Randy Moss. He's also from the local area, so Huskies fans as well as the coaches are expecting him to contribute right away. Washington doesn't have much depth at WR, which paves the way for Williams and fellow big-time freshman Charles Frederick to step right in.

Tom Lemming is editor of Prep Football Report. For information on how to subscribe to Prep Football Report's three yearly magazines and five newsletters ($60 for the magazines and $90 for both magazines and newsletters), fax your name, address and fax number to 847-842-1313 or write to P.O. Box 59113, Schaumburg, Ill. 60159. For year-round recruiting updates, call Tom Lemming's Prep Football Hotline at 900-860-9888. Calls are $1.79 per minute, and callers must be 18 years old or have parents' permission.