Miami Football: 5 freshmen that will make a major impact in 2017

No. 2 – Navaughn Donaldson, OL

Miami added one of the top offensive line recruits in the country with the signing of Navaughn Donaldson. Mark Richt has made keeping South Florida recruits a priority, and Donaldson from local powerhouse Miami Central High fits the bill.

At 6-foot-6 and 350 pounds Donaldson has the frame to hold off even the strongest defensive lineman. He was a consensus four star prospect and rated in the top 100 players regardless of position by all the major ranking sites such as ESPN, Rivals, and 247Sports.

Donaldson played offensive tackle in high school and was a man amongst boys. Matt Porter of the Palm Beach Post summed up one of his high school highlights here.

"Footage of Donaldson in high school shows him mainly at right tackle, mauling over-matched high-schoolers. The first play of his highlight tape is an eye-popper. He lines up at the 27-yard line, slips through the defensive line and rumbles diagonally downfield to bowl over a defender near the sideline at the 47. On another play, he sprints more than 50 yards to throw a block as his running back hits the end zone. He’s lifting high school safeties off the ground, like something out of The Blind Side."

The Hurricanes have some needs along the offensive line, and with Donaldson being their number one recruit in that position group he will get an opportunity. He may even be an option at guard but will likely get a shot to win the starting right tackle spot.