Five who could provide instant impact

We’ve spent months compiling the comings and goings of this year’s football recruiting cycle. We’ve analyzed mysterious tweets for deeper meanings. Tracked scholarship offers. Stargazed at recruiting profiles.

So what’s another few years? For the wide majority of this class, it’ll take time to match the recruiting hype. Most prospects need years of development before making an on- field impact.

But there are certainly outliers. Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts led the Crimson Tide to the national title game as a true freshman. Clemson defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence was a standout as a rookie. So it can happen, if not as often as one might believe.

Let’s take a look at the recruits from the 2017 cycle with the ability to make an immediate impact. Here are five to know:

1. UCLA DB- WR DARNAY HOLMES Holmes is a rare athlete with the ability to star on offense and de- fense — and he just might do so for UCLA, potentially providing a drastic upgrade to the Bruins’ return game, secondary and receiver corps. Those in Southern California who coached Holmes — or coached against his Calabasas High School — rave about his ability and long- term potential.

2. FLORIDA STATE RB CAM AKERS The Seminoles dipped into Mississippi to nab a potential re- placement for All- America running back Dalvin Cook. No pressure there, by the way. But Akers, a consensus five- star recruit and the second- best back in this class, behind Alabama’s Najee Harris, has the size and strength to produce from the start for a team with championship goals.

3. TEXAS A& M QB KELLEN MOND Circumstances might thrust Mond into the spotlight from the start. Texas A& M is short on quarterbacks as a result of several high- profile transfers, meaning the five- star from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida — via Texas — could be under center when the Aggies kick off their season Sept. 2 at UCLA.

4. OHIO STATE DB JEFFREY OKUDAH Another bundle of NFL- bound departures has opened up what should be a heated competition in the Buckeyes secondary. Okudah should slide into a major role at safety as a true freshman, as Ohio State aims for a return trip to the College Football Playoff.

5. NEBRASKA WR TYJON LINDSEY One piece of the Cornhuskers’ “Calibraska” movement — meaning a push by coach Mike Riley and his staff to plant a flag in Southern California — Lindsey flipped from Ohio State to Nebraska in the weeks leading into signing day. Look for Lindsey to fill a spot on the depth chart as the Cornhuskers retool their receiving corps behind a new starting quarterback, Tulane transfer Tanner Lee.

SOOBUM IM, USA TODAY SPORTS With the NFL taking its annual toll on Ohio State, Jeffrey Okudah could provide an immediate boost for the secondary.