12 Instant Impact True Freshmen: Walter Nolan, Devon Campbell, Chace Biddle and More

Courtesy of Walter Nolen and Devon Campbell

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Even with more early enrollees than ever before, the bulk of a team's recruiting classes arrive over Memorial Day Weekend. Those players might not be ahead of the curve like their classmates who participated in spring practices, but that doesn't mean the road to playing time is blocked. The transfer portal and early entrants to the NFL draft mean that there are plenty of opportunities for true freshmen to make their mark. 

Texas A&M

Walter Nolen, DT, Powell (Tenn.)

Ranking: 5 stars, No. 1-ranked defensive tackle 

The bad news for Texas A&M is that the Aggies must replace most of its production along the defensive line. The good news is that the next crop of players for the Wrecking Crew were all highly touted out of high school. None more so than Nolen, a five-star who was the second-best player in the entire 2022 recruiting class, per 247Sports Composite. The 6-4, 325-pound Nolen might be a Day 1 starter for the Aggies. 

Texas 

Devon Campbell, OL, Arlington Bowie 

Ranking: 5 stars, No. 1-ranked guard

The Longhorns need help up front and Campbell might be the readiest of the incoming true freshmen along the offensive line. He could start at guard early in the season for a Texas program that couldn’t play a spring game because a lack of offensive line depth. Fellow true freshman Kelvin Banks is also one to watch, but playing guard is an easier transition that tackle. Campbell is a bully who was ranked as the best interior lineman in the 2022 recruiting class. 

TCU

Chace Biddle, S, Garland 

Ranking: 4 stars, No. 14-ranked safety 

The Horned Frogs’ struggles to stop the run in 2021 were well publicized, but the secondary wasn’t much better. All-conference corner Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson was forced to play some safety last season because of the lack of quality depth at the position. New head coach Sonny Dykes helped the unit through the transfer portal with the likes of Mark Perry, but Biddle is a high-end talent who could force his way into playing time sooner rather than later. 

Texas Tech 

Maurion Horn, ATH, Broken Arrow (Okla.)

Ranking: 4 stars, No. 10-ranked athlete 

First-year head coach Joey McGuire wrangled Horn to Lubbock over offers from Baylor, Arkansas, and a handful of other FBS programs. The two-way prep star is expected to play running back and maybe even slot receiver. He’s a dangerous weapon in space, which should help him succeed in offensive coordinator Zach Kittley’s high-powered offense. Horn offers more elusiveness than the running backs currently on Texas Tech’s roster. That skill set could earn him playing time as a true freshman on third downs or on special teams. 

Baylor 

Kaian Roberts-Day, Edge, Festus (Mo.) 

Ranking: 4 stars, No. 25-ranked edge 

The Bears need a new generation of defensive gamebreakers to emerge with most of the old guard departing Waco following a historically successful 2021 season. Roberts-Day is a high upside edge rusher who chose Baylor over offers from programs such as Oklahoma State and Tennessee. A team can never possess too many pass rush specialists and the Missouri native could become a difference maker on third-down early in his career. 

Houston

Antony Holmes, DL, Spring Westfield 

Ranking: 3 stars, No. 118-ranked defensive tackle 

The Cougars graduated a lot of production along the defensive line from the 2022 squad. Holmes, a local standout who chose to stay home, might not be ready to be an every-down contributor, but he can provide quality depth as a true freshman for Houston. Westfield is known for producing defensive line talents, including former Cougar Ed Oliver. Holmes recorded 21 sacks as a senior. 

SMU

RJ Maryland, TE, Southlake Carroll 

Ranking: 4 stars, No. 18-ranked tight end 

First-year head coach Rhett Lashlee hasn’t called a play without a tight end on the field in years, and Maryland walks onto campus at SMU as the tight end with the highest upside on the roster. He’ll likely need time to develop into an every-down tight end with the ability to block, but he can instantly become a weapon in certain formations or on third down and in the red zone as a receiver. 

UTSA

Owen Pewee, LB, Cy Park

Ranking: 3 stars; No. 62-ranked linebacker 

Pewee was overshadowed by five-star teammate Harold Perkins during their recruitment, but the Roadrunners feel like Pewee is a future star. The 6-3, 187-pound Pewee picked UTSA over more than a dozen offers, including ones from Washington State, Houston, and SMU. He was a two-way star in high school and can be an instant contributor on special teams and in certain defensive packages. His athleticism is off the charts. 

North Texas 

Cam Robertson, Edge, Plano 

Ranking: 3 stars, No. 56-ranked edge 

The loss of the Murphy twins to the transfer portal means that the Mean Green need instant help rushing the passer. Robertson won’t be asked to be an every-down contributor, but if he can help on third downs and obvious passing situations as a true freshman that would solve a serious question mark for North Texas entering the 2022 season. He racked up nearly a dozen sacks as a senior. 

UTEP

Luke Seib, TE, Blue Springs (Mo.)

Ranking: 3 stars, No. 120-ranked tight end

UTEP quarterback Gavin Hardison passed for over 3,000 yards in 2021 and hopes to do the same this season even without receivers Jacob Cowing and Justin Garrett. The tight end wasn’t a big part of the passing offense until late in the season, and head coach Dana Dimel wants to use the position more soon. Selb could help with that as a true freshman if he proves physical enough to handle blocking responsibilities. 

Rice 

Rawson MacNeill, WR, Walton (Ga.)

Ranking: 3 stars, No. 168-ranked wide receiver 

The Owls need playmakers following the loss of leading receiver Jake Bailey to the transfer portal. Rice did a good job replenishing the ranks through the portal, but MacNeill arriving on campus ready to contribute would go a long way in helping the Rice quarterbacks perform better in 2022 than they did last season. 

Texas State 

Bernock Iya, CB, Azle

Ranking: 2 stars, No. 179-ranked corner  

The secondary is the biggest corner for the Bobcats entering the summer. It’s likely that head coach Jake Spavital adds one or two more bodies to the position over the summer, but Iya can work his way into the rotation with a strong summer and fall camp.   

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