By Jason Hickman
MaxPreps.com
In 2004, it was Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson. A year ago, Arkansas' Darren McFadden, Miami's Kenny Phillips, and South Carolina's Sidney Rice were among those who made the transition from high school to college look easy.
Every year, a number of true freshmen impact the college football season in ways unforeseen by the media and fans. They change the shape of conference races, the bowl picture, and in the case of Peterson, even challenge for the sport's Holy Grail - the Heisman Trophy.
The 2006 campaign will be no different, and there are plenty of candidates who have compiled the prerequisite credentials at the high school level. MaxPreps takes a look at 10 of them.
Ryan Burkhart, Notre Dame (K)
A kicker to start the list? The Fighting Irish are expected to compete for the national title and were involved in nail-biters against Michigan, Michigan State, USC, and Stanford a year ago. There is plenty of potential for Burkhart to impact the outcome of a few games this season, especially with the likes of Georgia Tech, Penn State, Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue, UCLA, and USC dotting Notre Dame's schedule. The Indiana native hit 12 of 22 field goals attempts as a senior at Northwood High, including a 53-yarder.
Dorin Dickerson, Pittsburgh (WR/S)
Pittsburgh head coach Dave Wannstedt isn't going to put up with very many 5-6 seasons like the Panthers struggled through in 2005. The former Chicago Bear and Miami Dolphin shot caller needs athletes, particularly at receiver and in the defensive backfield. Fortunately for Wannstedt, Dickerson's 6-2, 200-pound frame could lend itself to immediate playing time at either position.
Micah Johnson, Kentucky (LB)
Keeping Johnson in-state was a major coup for struggling Kentucky head coach Rich Brooks. At 6-2, 250 pounds, the Fort Campbell product was a dominant high school running back, but will be joining the Wildcat defense in August and is expected to man the middle linebacker position from day one.
Stafon Johnson, USC (RB)
Reggie Bush and LenDale White are gone, leaving the door open for a squadron of talented high school running backs to emerge from USC's February recruiting haul. Pete Carroll went to Texas to get Emmanuel Moody, and Utah for Stanley Havili, but the name to remember will be the guy he plucked right out of his own backyard: Stafon Johnson. The 6-0, 210-pound back is the latest big name from Los Angeles' Dorsey High, and has the ability to continue the Trojans' reputation as "Tailback U."
Sergio Kindle, Texas (LB)
The defending national champions already feature a solid group of linebackers - juniors Drew Kelson and Robert Killebrew, and sophomore Rashad Bobino - but Kindle could turn solid into spectacular. The 6-4, 225-pound Dallas product is a physical marvel who was a 1,000-yard rusher in high school, in addition to dominating defensively.
Jake Locker, Washington (QB)
Washington has an intriguing starter returning at quarterback in senior Isaiah Stanback, but on the heels of back-to-back 1-10 and 2-9 seasons, nobody's job is safe in Seattle. If Stanback can't help the Huskies produce in the win column, fans will be calling Jake Locker's name. A legend in the Evergreen State after leading Ferndale High to its first state title in 2005, Locker is being viewed as the savior of a once-proud program. Don't be surprised if the 6-3, 210-pound signal caller steers the Huskies back toward the top of the Pac-10 during the course of his career.
Mitch Mustain, Arkansas (QB)
Arkansas isn't going to land (arguably) the nation's top prep quarterback very often, so don't expect Mitch Mustain to be holding clipboards for long. The high school All-American will have to best junior Robert Johnson and sophomore Casey Dick for the job, but considering Razorback head coach Houston Nutt hired Gus Malzahn - Mustain's coach at Springdale High School - to take over the offense, that seems likely to happen at some point in 2006.
Myron Rolle, Florida State (S)
High school seniors seem to be enrolling early in college more often, getting the jump on fellow signees by participating in spring drills and acclimating themselves to university life. But not many make the splash that Myron Rolle did during Florida State's Garnet & Gold Game in April, when he picked off a pass and returned it 64 yards for a touchdown. The New Jersey native is already penciled in as the Seminoles' No. 2 at strong safety, but expect him to be in the starting rotation when FSU opens at Miami Sept. 4.
Jevan Snead, Texas (QB)
Big things are expected from Texas again in 2006, but a true freshman at the quarterback position isn't usually the sign of a championship-caliber team. If the Longhorns are dreaming of a repeat, and they are, Jevan Snead will have to play well beyond his years. Originally a Florida commitment, Snead will battle with redshirt freshman Colt McCoy for the starting position in the fall. If the Stephenville, Texas, product prevails, there won't be a rookie in America operating under more of a microscope. Well, except for.
Tim Tebow, Florida (QB)
Most programs would be content with a returning starter at quarterback who has thrown for over 8,000 yards and 65 touchdowns in his career, but that doesn't seem to be the case at Florida. Tim Tebow became a national name as a high school senior via an ESPN-televised game, and later, an hour-long special from the same network. His dual-threat pedigree seems to be tailor-made for Urban Meyer's spread option attack, an offense that incumbent Chris Leak struggled to get a handle on in 2005. Many observers felt Tebow out-performed Leak in the Gators' spring game, and if the veteran hiccups again in 2006, that memory could become a movement.