Stanford Football: 5 incoming freshmen who could start in 2018

Stanford football closed its 2018 recruiting class on a high note. Which incoming freshmen could become starters for the Cardinal?

David Shaw has pieced together a solid 2018 recruiting class, but it’s not going to be talked about as one of the elites in college football. That doesn’t matter to Stanford, though, as the Cardinal consistently finish at or near the top of the Pac-12 North because of impressive development.

Stanford finished with the No. 39 recruiting class in the nation and seventh-best in the Pac-12. That won’t stop them from producing solid true freshmen.

Which five freshmen could start for the Cardinal in 2018?

Stanford is looking to completely rebuild at the linebacker position. In fact, all four starting linebackers are graduating this offseason and that means any incoming recruit who plays the position has a chance to compete right away.

There are only two linebackers signed for the 2018 class, but Caleb Kelly is the type of player who could come in and make some noise as a true freshman. He committed to Stanford a week before National Signing Day, picking the Cardinal over the likes of Vanderbilt and Cal.

The Georgia-native may have chosen David Shaw and Stanford because of potential early playing time and with his 6-foot-3, 218-pound frame mixed with a 4.62 40-yard dash, according to 247Sports, he will fit right in.

Kelly is listed as the No. 708 overall recruit and 52nd-best outside linebacker in the class, according to 247Sports.