SEC Football: Freshmen Making Their Presence Known This Spring

Several freshmen are using spring practice as a springboard to show they've got the goods to be the SEC football stars of the future.

Midterm enrollees across the league are using their first trip to a college football practice forum to prove they belong. Other athletes who weren't quite ready in 2014 are making their marks during redshirt freshman campaigns.

Everywhere, coaches are giving extended looks to players who'll carry their programs into the next four-year cycle. 

As injured or established upperclassmen recover everywhere in the SEC, it's the young guys' turn in the spotlight, and spring is a perfect stage to see who can handle the pressure and who is a year (or more) away.

From offensive skill position players into the trenches and across the line of scrimmage to the defensive backfield, the stars of tomorrow are emerging today.

Let's take a look at some freshmen around the league who are proving they belong in one of the nation's toughest conferences.

C.J. Conrad, Kentucky Tight End

Credit: 247Sports

Kentucky may have found its next Jacob Tamme, and his teammate is turning just as many heads this spring, too.

Midterm enrollee C.J. Conrad is impressing in Wildcat Country, living up to his billing as a 4-star prospect and the nation's 11th-ranked tight end (according to the 247Sports composite rankings).

The 6'5", 245-pound LaGrange, Ohio, native represented yet another crucial recruiting win for coach Mark Stoops' staff in that state and one that should pay off immediately.

Conrad and redshirt freshman Darryl Long have made strong impressions this spring. They'll try to team up and match the production of current Atlanta Falcons tight end Tamme's 56 catches for 619 yards and six touchdowns as a Wildcat in 2007.

According to The Courier-Journal's Kyle Tucker, UK tight ends haven't combined for more than 33 catches, 369 yards or three touchdowns in a single season since that time.

Conrad is the best all-around prospect of the two, a true blocking threat and top target who will make the winner of Kentucky's quarterback derby (likely Patrick Towles) extremely happy to have him as a safety valve.

UK recruiting ace Vince Marrow told Tucker of Conrad: "I really think we struck gold with him."

But Long will carve a role, too.

Those two team with 6'5", 315-pound offensive lineman George Asafo-Adjei to make for an exciting spring's worth of freshmen who could contribute right away for the Bluegrass State's flagship team.

If the trio can produce for the 'Cats, UK may just break its four-year bowl drought.

Marlon Humphrey, Alabama Cornerback (Redshirt)

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A season ago, Marlon Humphrey joined Tony Brown in a haul that made Alabama's defensive back class the nation's envy once again.

While Brown went on to log meaningful game repetitions, the son of former Crimson Tide great Bobby Humphrey had to wait his turn with a redshirt.

This spring, the younger Humphrey reportedly looks like the stud prospect who was rated the nation's third-best corner and 12th overall player in the 2014 recruiting class.

The 6'1", 192-pound cornerback is challenging incumbent starter Eddie Jackson for his job at the left corner position. Though Brown is currently working on the right side for the injured Cyrus Jones, he could slide into Jackson's spot, too.

According to BamaOnline.com's Charlie Potter, Jackson worked some with the safeties at practice this week, further clearing Humphrey's path to playing time. Said Potter:

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This move, to me, means one of two things. The first is it's just a normal spring experiment from head coach Nick Saban, who is notorious for moving players around at different positions before the fall practices and season arrive. And this spring has been no different.

The second is Jackson hasn't improved—and may have even regressed—on his coverage this spring, possibly giving up a few big plays in the team's Friday scrimmage. That is a complete assumption on my part, but if it's true, we might not see Jackson back with the corners, especially with younger players like Tony Brown and Marlon Humphrey fighting for a spot with the first unit.

"

The Tide have a loaded group of talented defensive backs, and every job is up for grabs with the struggles there a season ago.

Humphrey could seize one. He looks the part with long arms and sprinter's speed, but he must translate those obvious physical abilities to play a demanding position in Saban's defense.

Christian Kirk, Texas A&M Wide Receiver

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With a star-studded group of pass-catchers set to return for coach Kevin Sumlin's dynamic offense, it may be difficult for Christian Kirk to crack the rotation.

But with leading receiver Josh Reynolds missing the spring with injuries, Kirk has gotten a chance to shine, even reportedly working with the first-team unit at times despite a talented group of returnees such as Speedy Noil, Ricky Seals-Jones and Edward Pope.

"The big thing I like about Christian is he wants to learn," Aggies first-year receivers coach Aaron Moorehead told The Eagle's Robert Cessna. "He wants to know why. He's come in with a purpose. He makes me a better coach, and I make him a better player."

That Kirk is having such early success is no surprise. He was one of the Aggies' biggest recruiting coups of the 2015 class as the nation's fourth-ranked wideout and a 5-star talent out of Scottsdale, Arizona.

Despite having offers from virtually every powerhouse program in the nation, the 5'11", 200-pound receiver elected to join Sumlin and rising sophomore star quarterback Kyle Allen in College Station.

It's impossible to imagine that group of talented targets not putting up some serious points in 2015.

Just how much Kirk will contribute once Reynolds gets healthy and back out there remain to be seen. But he and tight end Jordan Davis, along with JUCO transfer Damion Ratley, all have been mentioned this spring as candidates to make a deep A&M stable of receivers even deeper.

Kirk is the most highly regarded of the bunch, and it's only a matter of time before he teams with Noil to be future stars in the Lone Star State.

Jonathan Ledbetter, Georgia Defensive Lineman

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Georgia is the first of two SEC East teams featured in this piece that, while eagerly awaiting the arrival of a marquee defensive tackle recruit, found a pretty darn good newcomer at the same position.

All eyes this summer will be on the nation's top-rated player when Albany, Georgia, defensive tackle Trent Thompson heads to Athens. He's about as close to a "can't-miss" prospect as it gets.

However, spring practice is going on without Thompson, and teammate and midterm enrollee Jonathan Ledbetter has done plenty to announce his arrival between the hedges.

The 6'4", 265-pound defensive lineman could probably stand to gain a few pounds, but he may start out as a 5-technique lineman who will slide inside as he gets bigger. Currently, his versatility could allow him to carve a role in defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt's 3-4 defense sooner rather than later.

The Ledger-Enquirer's Seth Emerson noted recently that Ledbetter has "drawn some good reviews, but good enough to contribute this fall? Perhaps G-Day will reveal that along with the remaining questions on this Bulldog team."

247Sports' Jake Rowe recently reported that it has been a particularly impressive group of early enrollees for coach Mark Richt's team this spring.

Jarvis Wilson and Johnathan Abram have made their presence known in the secondary while Natrez Patrick and Jackson Harris have had moments, too. Rowe said linebacker Lorenzo Carter mentioned Ledbetter as a player who has impressed.

The emergence of Ledbetter, who was considered a major win on the recruiting trail, to go along with a class jewel such as Thompson should ensure the Dawgs are strong along the defensive front for many years to come.

Javon Patterson, Ole Miss Guard

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Of the several questions facing Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze this spring, the most glaring, immediate need is fortifying the offensive line.

That's where midterm freshman Javon Patterson comes in.

The Petal, Mississippi, product has stepped onto campus and is immediately helping solidify an offensive guard spot that needed stability.

The nation's third-rated guard has teamed with redshirt freshmen Jordan Sims and Sean Rawlings to provide several bright spots for a group needing them.

While there will almost assuredly be growing pains, as is the case with any young offensive line unit, the Rebels are impressed with the youngsters as they await the return of Laremy Tunsil, who broke his leg in the Orange Bowl.

According to The Clarion-Ledger's Riley Blevins, Patterson has worked with the first- and second-team offensive lines.

"Javon's going to be a really good player," Freeze told Blevins. "I'm real pleased."

That's great news for an Ole Miss team that has endured its share of O-line struggles the past few years.

According to The Clarion-Ledger's Hugh Kellenberger:

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The Rebels have been bottom-five in the Southeastern Conference in sacks allowed each of the last four seasons, giving up 31 in 2014 (12th, ahead of only Kentucky and Tennessee). And that's with Tunsil, who has given up two sacks in as many seasons on campus and realistically could be the No. 1 overall pick in next year's NFL Draft.

"

Recruiting wins such as getting Patterson will help, but whether or not he can this year will go a long way in determining how good the Rebels will be on offense.

Dontavius Russell, Auburn Defensive Tackle (Redshirt)

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Dontavius Russell was a highly regarded recruit a season ago, a 4-star defensive tackle from Carrollton, Georgia, who had a quality offer sheet before deciding to head to the Plains.

Like most college freshmen, he probably thought he'd walk on campus and dominate. But with four seniors and Montravius Adams ahead of him on the depth chart, a redshirt was the path ahead.

AU coach Gus Malzahn told the Montgomery Advertiser's James Crepea this spring that Russell performed so well before last season started, he almost found his way into the rotation anyway.

"Dontavius is an extremely talented guy that there was talk about not redshirting early," Malzahn said. "Even kind of into some games because we felt like he was a very athletic guy, a very talented guy. We think he has a chance, with a very good spring, to be a very good player for us."

At 6'3" and now up to 295 pounds, Russell has picked up this spring where he left off last year. Though pass rushing isn't his forte, he has the ability to step right in and start alongside Adams due to the other things he does well.

It even sounds meant to be—a team of interior defensive linemen with rhyming first names: "Montravius and Dontavius." Print the shirts.

Considering AU's defensive line struggles last year and with new coordinator Will Muschamp giving everybody a fresh start, Russell will try to take advantage.

All anybody can hope for is a chance to start, especially as a freshman. Entering his second year, Russell has the ability to do that. If so, he'll be one of the young cornerstones around which Muschamp can build his new D.

Deebo Samuel, South Carolina Wide Receiver (Redshirt)

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A name like Deebo Samuel just screams "football player."

But the national recruiting services certainly didn't see it that way a year ago, as the 3-star recruit from Inman, South Carolina, was ranked as the 109th overall receiver in the 2014 class, according to the 247Sports composite.

After a redshirt season, however, the 6'0", 206-pound target is proving he's better than his recruiting rating.

With players needed to step up to help star receiver Pharoh Cooper, Samuel has answered the call. Carolina must replace four of its top five pass-catchers, and Samuel is filling in nicely.

Following a recent scrimmage, GoGamecocks.com's Josh Kendall wrote this about Samuel:

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The Gamecocks coaches clearly expect big things from Deebo Samuel. The redshirt freshman from Inman caught a 29-yard touchdown pass Saturday and has been the most talked-about wide receiver on the team this spring. (All-SEC Pharoh Cooper is sitting out most of the scrimmage work to allow the younger players to get more work.) The question is—who will step up behind Cooper and Samuel. Senior Shamier Jeffery dropped a 3rd-and-8 pass during the scrimmage. Those are the catches he has to make if the coaching staff is going to trust him.

"

Samuel is physically developed and ready to play from a strength standpoint, essentially the same build as Cooper. The "X" receiver position where he's expected to play has produced past stars such as Alshon Jeffery, Ace Sanders and Bruce Ellington, so Samuel can post big numbers if he produces.

Given that he also learned the position where Cooper currently resides, his versatility should pay major dividends in the future. But he'll get the opportunity to star right away.

Kevin Toliver II, LSU Cornerback

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Kevin Toliver II looks the way the nation's second-rated cornerback recruit should look.

At 6'2", 185 pounds with long, lanky arms, the Jacksonville, Florida, native passes the eye test when it comes to filling the huge shoes at one of the two SEC schools that could stake a claim as Defensive Back U.

The only problem for Toliver is that a school that is traditionally loaded with NFL-caliber defensive backs is again this season, boasting what could be the nation's top stable of talented defenders.

In the past seven drafts, the Tigers have seen 11 defensive backs drafted, more than any other school. Players such as Jamal Adams, Jalen Mills, Ed Paris and Tre'Davious White ensure that trend will continue for the next few years.

And more talent is coming next year, too.

Even though the Bayou Bengals are loaded on the back level once again, it hasn't stopped Toliver from proving he deserves snaps. He's battling Paris for the starting cornerback job opposite White despite having spent mere months in Baton Rouge.

Though Paris likely has an edge, Mills recently told The Times-Picyaune's Jim Kleinpeter that Toliver is doing well considering his age:

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He's working hard. The transition, you have to remember, he should still be in high school right now, going to the prom, doing senior events. He's adjusted like everyone else, adjusted very well. He's picking it up, always asking questions. Always in the film room, anything that can help him.

"

Toliver may not start over Paris, another NFL-sized defensive back, but he will almost certainly play a lot as a true freshman.

He's got future star written all over him.

Shy Tuttle, Tennessee Defensive Tackle

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Tennessee is the other SEC East program that found a rising star defensive tackle before the higher-ranked prospect arrived on campus.

Shy Tuttle was no slouch during the recruiting cycle himself, labeled a 4-star prospect and the ninth-rated defensive tackle in the nation by the 247Sports composite. But the 6'3", 315-pound lineman has impressed beyond his years.

Before the country's second-ranked defensive tackle, Kahlil McKenzie, moves to Knoxville, Tuttle is giving UT a jolt and an injection of beef into an injury-riddled defensive line that has been lacking size over the past couple of seasons.

Blessed with impressive strength, a strong work ethic and on-field intelligence, Tuttle will make some noise as a true freshman. While starting is no guarantee, immediate, meaningful snaps almost certainly are.

The Vols lost one starter from the defensive interior from 2014 (Jordan Williams) and don't have a lot of depth. According to GoVols247's Wes Rucker:

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Tuttle, who at one point in the recruiting process was a 5-star prospect but ultimately slipped to 4-star status, has looked like a 5-star prospect since enrolling at Tennessee. He was tremendous in the first full-pads practice of his college career, disrupting things at the line of scrimmage, taking on blockers with toughness and even tipping an interception to himself in a team drill.

"

Tuttle is almost the exact opposite of McKenzie off the field. McKenzie is loud and confident. Meanwhile, Tuttle is extremely soft-spoken, allowing his play to announce that he's the real deal.

The duo may find different ways to shine, but the end result is Tennessee should be thrilled about having them manning the middle of the line for years to come.

Aeris Williams, Mississippi State Running Back (Redshirt)

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Replacing a 1,000-yard rusher is never easy, but the Mississippi State Bulldogs have several options that should make moving on from Josh Robinson seamless.

The Bulldogs return Ashton Shumpert and Brandon Holloway to lead an impressive stable of runners, but a duo of freshman backs are proving they'll be in the mix as well.

Aeris Williams and Dontavian Lee—or the "Bang Bros" as Lee told The Clarion-Ledger's Michael Bonner—ensure the offensive backfield of coach Dan Mullen is in good hands.

Williams may have the most talent of the bunch. After winning Mississippi's Mr. Football in 2013, he redshirted a season ago with a loaded backfield.

During a recent scrimmage, Lee ran for 74 yards on 12 carries while Williams had 101 total yards. They both scored twice. Mullen discussed Williams' performance so far this spring with The Dispatch's Brandon Walker: "He runs hard. We knew he was going to do that. He's doing everything right. Once he gets a little older, he'll get there. He's right where he needs to be."

At 6'2", 220 pounds, Williams has the size and speed you want from a running back. Lee is another typical running back, and they're both thriving.

With Shumpert around, Williams may have to wait to star, but he'll almost certainly be part of a very talented backfield this season led by Heisman Trophy hopeful Dak Prescott at quarterback.

The talented signal-caller will have numerous options from which to choose to hand off to.

All recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports composite rankings unless otherwise noted. All statistics gathered from CFBStats.com unless otherwise noted. Observations gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted.

Brad Shepard covers SEC football for Bleacher Report. Follow Brad on Twitter @Brad_Shepard.