B/R CFB Recruiting: Top 11 Committed Players Walking into Ideal College Situations

It's always fun to take a deeper look at the superlatives in each year's recruiting class, examine where they're going and try to predict who is going to break out as soon as they arrive on campus.

While it's never easy and there's no exact science to determine who could shine right away (especially in an era when roster holes are filled via the transfer portal), you try to match up elite talent with brimming opportunity.

What you get is a list like this: 11 players from across the country who are stepping into environments that could be conducive to immediate playing time, quality development and becoming household names quicker than usual.

From a trio of talented quarterbacks to a group of defenders too good to keep on the sideline, let's take a look at some committed recruits staring at promising college situations in 2023.

The best running back in the 2023 recruiting class right now is planning on leaving the Sunshine State of Florida and playing for Steve Sarkisian at Texas.

Cedric Baxter Jr. of Edgewater High School in Orlando has to see a wide-open path to immediate carries in an offense that could be mega-explosive.

With Quinn Ewers under center and Arch Manning coming in, the Longhorns are loaded at the offense's most important position for the foreseeable future, and they've got terrific, young building blocks along the offensive front, too.

With Bijan Robinson almost a certainty to leave after his junior season and his backup (Roschon Johnson) being a senior as well, carries are there for the taking in Austin. The 'Horns have recruited extremely well, so the cupboard is not bare, with guys like Jonathon Brooks.

But you can't hold a guy like Baxter down for long.

At 6'1", 215 pounds, he's big enough to be an every-down back and actually reminds me a little of Robinson because he also has terrific speed and acceleration and has the ability to be a weapon in the passing game. He's going to be a plug-and-play type of runner no matter who is in Texas' running back room.

Look for him to be the next star in the 'Horns backfield.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish's defensive backs class is absolutely loaded.

With potential budding stars like cornerback Christian Gray, Micah Bell, Adon Shuler and Ben Minich, coach Marcus Freeman is building a formidable unit for the future at a major position of need.

But the best player in the Irish's vaunted class is Denton, Texas, safety Peyton Bowen, a 6'0", 180-pound 5-star defender who can do it all. Bowen's athleticism jumps off the tape of him terrorizing opponents for powerhouse Guyer High School.

Each year, Denton produces a ton of exceptional college football prospects, and Bowen is the best of the bunch this year—a baller who can impact prep games as a receiver, defensive back and in the return game. He's also a track star.

While Shuler or Gray may seem to be college-ready to perform, Bowen is a standout who is going to be able to step onto the field and give the Irish the type of game-changing athleticism on the back end that they don't have.

Will he start? That's a tall order, but given Bowen's elite ball skills, closing speed, nose for the ball and willingness to stop the run, there's not a whole lot lacking in his game. This is a player who has a prime spot for Freeman in '23 as Notre Dame tries to rebuild back to the top of the national ladder.

The direction of Louisville's football program is far from certain right now with head coach Scott Satterfield's seat incredibly hot.

Given the tough tests the Cardinals have coming up, it's hard to see him surviving past this season.

One thing that isn't in question, though, is Louisville is (surprisingly) putting together a quality recruiting class, led by running back Rueben Owens, who is heading to Kentucky all the way from Texas. But that recruiting reach also swept into California.

That's where 4-star quarterback Pierce Clarkson (as well as fellow Louisville commits DeAndre Moore Jr. and Aaron Williams attend St. John Bosco High School, along with uncommitted Matayo Uiagalelei (whose brother, Clemson QB DJ, also played there).

Those are some major recruiting wins for the ACC program seeking to return to the form it had when Bobby Petrino was head coach. Whether it's Satterfield or somebody new leading the way in 2023, they need to keep this class together.

Clarkson could be a catalyst, especially with Malik Cunningham off to the NFL after this year. He isn't the most accurate quarterback, but after splitting time with Michigan State signee Katin Houser a year ago, he is the starter this season and making plays happen with his arm and feet.

There's no way he'd be a finished product if he started a year from now, but Clarkson has the athletic ability to extend plays and the speed to make defenders miss. If the Cardinals can't find a bridge quarterback in the portal, he will have an immediate opportunity to shine.

At 6'2", 218 pounds, Tackett Curtis is the type of player whose high school career is going to be remembered because of his versatility and winner's mentality. Simply put: He's the type of kid you want on your team.

Playing at Many High School in Many, Louisiana, about 75 miles south of Shreveport, the do-it-all Curtis led his team to the 2A state championship a year ago, and he's already beaten Arch Manning's Isidore Newman team this year.

Not only does he play a linebacker-safety hybrid, but he also returns kicks and punts and plays quarterback for the team. If you put the ball in his hands, he's going to do everything he can to win you a football game.

So, while everybody is (rightfully) talking about the explosive offensive talent Lincoln Riley is stockpiling at USC, like incoming quarterback Malachi Nelson, wide receiver Zachariah Branch and Makai Lemon, the biggest pledge in the class so far may be Curtis.

At the very least, he's the one who may be depended on the soonest to make a major difference. The Trojans defense is porous, and while it's had some memorable moments like forcing four turnovers in a win over Oregon State, it also is far from having enough talent to matter.

Utah shredded them, and inserting a guy like Curtis into the mix who can help against the run and be strong in coverage will help. The Trojans need playmakers and winners on defense. Curtis is both, and he's a major coup if he makes it to Los Angeles before anybody in the Southeast can convince him to stick closer to home.

The way Nick Saban layers top-ranked recruiting classes, it's so difficult to step onto campus in Tuscaloosa and carve out an immediate role for Alabama.

Yet every year, it seems the Crimson Tide have a special player or two in their class who does just that.

This year's prime candidate is elite safety Caleb Downs, a 5-star prospect from Hoschton, Georgia, who has NFL blood circulating through his veins. His father Gary played in the league, and his brother Josh is a star pass-catcher for North Carolina who will be a pro prospect. Uncle Dre Bly is a Tar Heels legend who is a current assistant on Mack Brown's staff.

There's a lot to love about the latest Downs, a 6'0", 185-pound pure athlete who obviously knows the ins and outs of big-time football. He's a game-changing type of player, and while the Crimson Tide won't lose all of them, they have a bunch of upperclassmen on the back end of the defense this year.

Between guys like Jordan Battle, DeMarcco Hellams, Brian Branch and Malachi Moore, the Tide are at least going to lose the first two and maybe more. Yes, Saban gets elite defensive backs every year, but Downs is going to be one of those youngsters with a chance to shine right away.

The Mill Creek High School standout is the best all-around safety in this class, a force against the run who possesses the recovery speed and ball skills to shut down the passing game. He has an early-round NFL draft pick ceiling.

Who wouldn't want to play quarterback for Josh Heupel?

The second-year Tennessee coach is leading a team that is currently the talk of college football after upsetting Alabama in Neyland Stadium on Saturday to end a 15-year losing streak, and he has a signal-caller that is right in the thick of the Heisman Trophy discussion in Hendon Hooker.

It's wild that Hooker was essentially a Virginia Tech retread who wasn't starting for the Hokies, sought a change of scenery, got the chance to start last year when Joe Milton got hurt and has worked hard to turn into a megastar.

Once he leaves for the NFL following this season, there will be a huge gulf expected to be filled by Milton, but he hasn't been able to hold on to a starting job in two years at Michigan and one in Knoxville. So, despite immense ability, you can't trust him until he proves it.

Enter Nico Iamaleava, a silky-smooth, athletic signal-caller from Long Beach, California (by way of Warren High School in Downey) who is a 5-star playmaker with as good a skill set as any quarterback in this class.

The 6'5", 195-pound prospect has a big arm, can make all the throws and possesses elite athleticism to move the pocket and extend plays. He is arguably the Vols' biggest commitment since Peyton Manning, and the sky is the limit for him.

Is he good enough to step into a program currently on top of the world and start as a true freshman? That remains to be seen, but even having the opportunity to do so while learning from one of college football's best offensive schemers and quarterback developers could lead to success in a hurry on Rocky Top.

This has been a forgettable season for Michigan State and coach Mel Tucker not even a year after he signed a massive contract extension to stay in East Lansing for a long time.

The Spartans are hoping a double-overtime homecoming win over Wisconsin this past weekend turns their season around, but they are at least still making an impact in living rooms with recruits. Frankly, the program was ahead of schedule with last year's haul, and it will need to stack classes to remain among the Big Ten elite.

The best player in Tucker's 2023 class is Bai Jobe, a 6'4", 215-pound edge-rusher from Norman, Oklahoma, who had offers from the hometown Sooners, Alabama and many other teams but wants to play for Tucker.

While he is far from a finished product and could wind up playing 20 to 30 pounds heavier, Jobe has the frame to bulk up rapidly and not lose any of his burst or quickness. Given the need for Michigan State to get better playmakers on defense, he should have a shot to compete right away.

Brandon Wright and Jacoby Windmon are departing after this year, leaving open spots on the edge, and Jobe has the top-flight athleticism to fill one of them, even if he isn't close to reaching his potential.

The prospect came to the United States from Senegal to pursue a basketball career, according to the Detroit Free Press' Chris Solari. However, he turned into a raw but skilled defensive end whom everybody wanted. The Spartans simply don't have many players of his caliber.

Much like Tennessee and Nico Iamaleava, Kansas State is going to be replacing a very productive quarterback following this season, and while the incumbent may be on campus, he hasn't done anything yet to inspire supreme confidence.

The Wildcats are expected to give junior Will Howard every chance to win the job after Nebraska transfer Adrian Martinez exhausts his eligibility following this season, but Howard has thrown just nine touchdowns and 11 interceptions in a ton of playing time backing up former Kansas State signal-caller Skylar Thompson.

That scenario seems like the ideal situation for Avery Johnson, who is one of the biggest recruits in school history. If he earns next year's gig and coach Chris Klieman decides to start him right away, the 4-star prospect has explosive potential.

The 6'2", 175-pounder from Maize, Kansas, is probably the best signal-caller prospect to come out of the state since Graham Mertz left for Wisconsin, but Johnson is going to be beloved in Manhattan.

Like the quarterback currently in the Little Apple (Martinez), Johnson has great athleticism and can make teams miss with his feet. He has developed his upper body, arm strength and mechanics in the past year and looks like a top-tier quarterback.

Klieman has proved he doesn't mind dipping into the transfer portal and changing course to elevate his quarterback room, and the Wildcats may do that again in the post-Martinez era to give Johnson more time. If they don't, the future may be calling immediately for Johnson in 2023.

The most fearsome, dominant offensive lineman in this year's class is committed to head to Coral Gables, where the Hurricanes need a ton of help if they're ever going to be considered "The U" again.

In coach Mario Cristobal's first season, the 'Canes have dealt with a bevy of injuries on both sides of the ball, and it's affected the outcome of games.

Miami's 3-3 record isn't totally awful, but they have an unfathomable loss to Middle Tennessee State sandwiched between two close setbacks against Texas A&M and North Carolina. It simply hasn't been the debut season many expected for Cristobal.

One of the many places Miami needs work is along the offensive front, where the team has been struggling particularly in short-yardage situations this year. Francis Mauigoa will be a key building block to address those concerns.

While it's so tough to come in as a true freshman and crack the O-line rotation, the 6'5", 330-pound No.-1 ranked offensive lineman in this year's class is exactly the type of all-around lineman who can.

He's big, athletic and also possesses the power to be a force in run-blocking. The IMG Academy product from American Samoa has everything you want in an instant-impact offensive lineman, and he will have every opportunity to get on the field for a team trying to rebuild.

There are a bunch of wide receivers more highly ranked than Ayden Williams, but there aren't a whole lot of them who possess his electrifying speed and ability and are walking into the perfect situation.

At 6'3", 195 pounds, Williams has the size and stride to go up and snatch balls from defensive backs and then run away from them. He can stretch the field, and once he adds 15 to 20 pounds of muscle, he can be a force going across the middle.

He's stepping into a situation in Oxford, Mississippi, where coach Lane Kiffin will know exactly what to do with him.

The Rebels are currently undefeated, but they aren't as explosive on the perimeter as they're accustomed to. Jonathan Mingo and transfer Malik Heath are the top weapons, and Jaylon Robinson is a senior, too. While junior Jordan Watkins should be back, and Kiffin will hit the portal, there are catches for the taking.

Williams is just the guy to take advantage. If Kiffin can bring him in and he proves he's ready, Williams can be a walking billboard to in-state kids to come play for the Rebels, where you'll get an early opportunity to show what you can do.

The Ridgeland, Mississippi, native had offers from many but chose to stay home over going to Tennessee, Florida, LSU, Jackson State and others. The Rebels need him, and they won't hesitate to give him every opportunity to step on the field as a true freshman.

Clemson and coach Dabo Swinney have tapped into Alabama for some recent recruiting success, and the Tigers have done it again this year with the commitment of big-time defensive lineman Peter Woods.

The Tigers have populated the NFL draft with quality lineman after lineman the past few years, and they are expected to do the same this season. Both Bryan Bresee (redshirt sophomore) and Myles Murphy (junior) are eligible to head to the NFL after this season, and Tyler Davis is a senior.

The 6'3", 270-pound Woods is entering an ideal situation where, if he proves himself on the practice field, he could be in the mix for important snaps for a national title contender right away. For that reason alone, it's clear to see why he chose Swinney's Tigers.

Woods plays at powerhouse Thompson High School in Alabaster, Alabama, along with Alabama commit Tony Mitchell. The school has also produced Trequon Fegans (Alabama), Jeremiah Alexander (Alabama) and Conner Harrell (North Carolina), among others, and plenty more await.

But Woods could wind up being one of the biggest stars of them all, and he could shine right away based on the current depth chart. Clemson has recruited well along the defensive front, and some players are already on campus ready to step in, but Woods may wind up being too good to keep off the field.

He ultimately could play at 290-300 pounds, as well.

All stats courtesy of cfbstats and Sports Reference. Player rankings courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow Brad Shepard on Twitter, @Brad_Shepard.