Which freshmen could make the biggest impact in the SEC this year?
Selecting which freshmen will make the biggest impact in a college football season is never easy. While preseason hype and recruiting rankings certainly matter, every player develops at a different pace. Additionally, playing time is likely to depend on how much (or how little) upperclassmen have improved or developed from the previous season. And of course, once the game gets underway, it’s a different contest as opposed to just starring in practice.
Every year, the SEC recruits some of college football’s best talent. In the 247Sports Composite team rankings for 2017 signing classes, nine of the SEC’s 14 teams ranked inside of the top 25, with Alabama (1) and Georgia (3) checking in the top five.
With the SEC’s 2017 season set to begin on Thursday, Aug. 31, it’s time to take a look at which freshmen could make the biggest impact in the league. As mentioned above, this isn’t an exact science. The postseason all-freshman team could look significantly different by December. This team takes into account playing time, talent and potential. Additionally, both true and redshirt freshmen were considered for spots on the preseason team. And to get a few more players recognized, we doubled up a couple of spots for players from the same team and position.
SEC All-Freshman Offense
|
First Team |
Second Team |
Third Team |
|
| QB |
Nick Starkel Texas A&M |
Feleipe Franks Florida |
Jarrett Guarantano Tennessee |
| RB |
Najee Harris Alabama |
Clyde Edwards-Helaire LSU |
Jamauri Wakefield Vanderbilt |
| RB |
Ty Chandler Tennessee |
Chase Hayden Arkansas |
D'Andre Swift Georgia |
| AP |
Lynn Bowden Kentucky |
Kadarius Toney Florida |
A.J. Rose (RB) Kentucky |
| WR |
Jhamon Ausbon Texas A&M |
Jordan Jones Arkansas |
Jeremiah Holloman Georgia |
| WR |
D.K. Metcalf Ole Miss |
Shi Smith South Carolina |
Josh Palmer Tennessee |
| TE |
Jerry Jeudy (WR) Alabama |
Kemore Gamble Florida |
LaTrell Bumphus Tennessee |
| OL |
Trey Smith Tennessee |
Ed Ingram LSU |
Trystan Castillo Missouri |
| OL |
Andrew Thomas Georgia |
Isaiah Wilson Georgia |
Luke Fortner/ Drake Jackson Kentucky |
| OL |
Lloyd Cushenberry LSU |
Devin Cochran Vanderbilt |
Alex Leatherwood Alabama |
| OL |
Stewart Reese Miss. State |
Jedrick Wills Alabama |
Calvin Ashley Auburn |
| OL |
Brett Heggie Florida |
Solomon Kindley Georgia |
Ben Cleveland Georgia |
SEC All-Freshman Defense
|
First Team |
Second Team |
Third Team |
|
| DL |
Quinnen Williams Alabama |
Tre Williams Missouri |
Deandre Johnson Tennessee |
| DL |
Chris Turner Missouri |
Charles Wiley Ole Miss |
Quinton Bohanna Kentucky |
| DL |
K'Lavon Chaisson (LB/DL) LSU |
Kyree Campbell Florida |
Kobe Jones Miss. State |
| DL |
Ray Thornton (LB)/ Andre Anthony LSU |
Nick Coe Auburn |
Jacob Phillips (LB) LSU |
| LB |
Donta Evans Ole Miss |
Buddy Johnson Texas A&M |
Willie Gay Miss. State |
| LB |
Anthony Hines Texas A&M |
Grant Morgan Arkansas |
Jeremiah Moon Florida |
| LB |
Dylan Moses Alabama |
Big Kat Bryant Auburn |
Josh Paschal Kentucky |
| CB |
Kary Vincent LSU |
DeAngelo Gibbs Georgia |
Cam Dantzler Miss. State |
| CB |
Jamyest WIlliams South Carolina |
Marco Wilson/ C.J. Henderson Florida |
Shawn Shamburger Tennessee |
| S |
Grant Delpit LSU |
Eric Monroe LSU |
Kamren Curl/ Chevin Calloway (CB) Arkansas |
| S |
Richard LeCounte III Georgia |
Shawn Davis Florida |
Greedy Williams (CB) LSU |
