6. Six freshmen will become impact players in year one
This happens pretty much every year under Jim Harbaugh, multiple freshmen get time early. But this won’t be like 2016, when players such as Lavert Hill and David Long only got a taste of real football while burning their redshirts.
Receivers A.J. Henning and Roman Wilson, with their speed and versatility, could be breakout players in this offense, and should be key contributors once they get settled in — similar to how Giles Jackson was a year ago. Blake Corum at running back is already on campus and we spoke about his impact. Matthew Hibner is much needed at tight end with the position having dwindling depth, so we anticipate that he could work his way into the rotation.
That’s four right there, and we anticipate players like Braiden McGregor, Makari Paige, William Mohan, Jaylen Harrell, Kalel Mullings, Jordan Morant or RJ Moten could all be candidates to burn their redshirts and contribute early. And that’s not even with the usual surprise players that come in fall camp — as there is every year.
That’s a lot more than six, but given that there are very few players at a position of true need like, say, Zach Charbonnet a year ago, that six will burn their redshirt will be notable. But it won’t be because they’re needed as much as they can be early impact players in 2020.