Bold Predictions for Top College Football Freshmen in 2016

Ed Oliver

"It’s not every year that a non-power school lands a 5-star prospect, let alone one among the top 10 players in the country. Before Houston signed Ed Oliver, the last team outside a power league (or Notre Dame) to grab a 5-star player was 2008, when Southern Miss signed wide receiver DeAndre Brown.

With that in mind, it’s very unlikely the Cougars will bring someone of Oliver’s pedigree along slowly. He’ll slide right into the spot held last year by Tomme Mark and hold that job all year long.

Oliver will find his way through Oklahoma’s offensive line a couple of times in the season opener against the Sooners and help Houston come close to matching its No. 8 rushing defense ranking from 2015.

“Despite losing (linebacker Elandon) Roberts, it is conceivable that Houston’s run defense actually improves, and perhaps by quite a bit,” SB Nation’s Bill Connelly wrote. Opponents will be passing again, in other words."


At most schools he would start. But, I loved the way Nick Thurman played against FSU and hope he gets the start.

Big Ed’s going to have to work hard in the Spring to get the starting nod. However, he has the talent and, from what I’ve heard, the drive to be in the mix. Exciting times.

big Ed will need to work hard yes but this fall…he will get the starting nod if he is as good as advertised