ACC Coastal Impact Recruits

In 2012, the Atlantic Coast Conference saw several true freshmen step onto the field and come up big.

Georgia Tech commit Travis Custis is having a big senior season, and has his team in the state finals.

Duke Johnson, Ronald Darby and Quinshad Davis are a few that come to mind.

In this look at ACC recruiting, 247Sports identifies the prospects currently committed to Coastal Division programs that are most likely to make an instant impact in 2013.

DUKE
Evrett Edwards, CB, Woodbridge (Va.)
THE SKINNY -- Duke had the country's No. 96 pass defense this year, and even though the Blue Devils are bowl bound and made great strides in 2012 that simply needs to improve. Something else to consider is this -- the team is losing some defensive backs. In other words, Duke has a great need at cornerback, and right now the program has commits from a few of them Of that group, Edwards probably will be the most ready to contribute early. The three-star prospect and No. 68 corner has excellent measureables and chose Duke over many other others. More than anything else perhaps, he adds big-time speed to the secondary. He also will enroll early and go through spring practice.

GEORGIA TECH

Travis Custis, RB, Hampton (Ga.) Lovejoy
THE SKINNY -- Georgia Tech's top rusher in 2012 is a senior, so the potential is there for someone to step in and make some early noise. Custis is a player capable of doing just that. Several other schools have taken notice of his strong senior season and continue to recruit him, but should he stick with Georgia Tech the Yellow Jackets will have themselves a heck of a player. The 6-foot, 200-pound Custis is one of the more complete backs coming out of the Peach State in this cycle. Not only is he a hard-nosed runner, but he's elusive. And even though Georgia Tech isn't a big passing team, he's a player than can catch the ball out of the backfield well.

MIAMI
Jamal Carter, S, Miami Southridge (Miami, FL).
THE SKINNY -- There are two main reasons why Carter could hit the field early. 1. The Hurricanes ranked only 101st nationally in pass defense in 2012; 2. A couple contributors at safety are departing. It seems very possible he will begin next season on the two-deep roster. Carter is a big-bodied safety and four-star prospect that already is physically prepared for college football. In fact, he's almost built like a linebacker. That said, Carter is still a little raw and will need to learn the finer points of the position.

NORTH CAROLINA
T.J. Logan, APB, Greensboro (N.C.) Northern Guilford
THE SKINNY -- Gio Bernard’s decision Friday to enter the NFL Draft next spring is a big blow to the Tar Heels offense. In 2012, he rushed for 1,228 yards. But Bernard's departure will give Logan an incredible opportunity in Chapel Hill. The 5-feet-11, 175-pounder, ranked as the No. 10 player nationally at his position, is a perfect fit for North Carolina's wide open offense. He not only is blessed with great, home run-hitting speed, but has terrific one-cut ability and good hands out of the backfield.

VIRGINIA

Taquan Mizzell, APB, Virginia Beach (Va.) Bayside
THE SKINNY -- Mizzell can definitely fill an important role from the get-go as the Cavaliers must replace versatile running back Perry Jones, the team's second-leading rusher and receptions leader. Mizzell is a versatile four-star prospect that is the country's No. 68 overall recruit. Not only can he do all the traditional running back things, but he's also someone that can motion out and be a major part of a team's passing attack. Mizzell is blessed with really nice speed, and he is particularly dangerous in space because of that and the fact he has tremendous cutting ability. This is someone in the "home run threat" category.

VIRGINIA TECH

Kendall Fuller, CB, Olney (Md.) Good Counsel
THE SKINNY-- The timing of Fuller's arrival really couldn't be much better for the Holies. They need corners, and particularly difference-makers, and Fuller has that type of potential. A five-star prospect, Fuller is the country's No. 2-ranked corner and No. 19 overall prospect. Fuller possesses the frame and length you want in an elite corner. He's extremely fast and has the hips to smoothly turn in coverage. If there's a weakness, it is sometimes poor ball awareness on deep passes, but that's something that can be corrected.