SEC's Impact Freshmen To Watch

The 2009 college football season is upon us.  With that comes fresh faces dotting every team looking to make a splash.  The SEC has a myriad of new guys hoping to serve their team and make a name for themselves.  The league seems to bring in fabulous freshmen every year making the conference even more talent-rich. 

Skill position players tend to provide the most impact their freshman year.  They rely on their natural ability more-so than lineman as they do not have to lean on their fundamentals and chemistry as much as linemen do.  With that said, the players I have chosen who I think will provide the biggest impact this year are mostly offensive and defensive backs and receivers.  

1.  RB  Bryce Brown (Tennessee)

The do-it-all running back will have to split carries with a couple other guys early but should be the man midway through the season.

2.  RB  Jarvis Giles (South Carolina)

Giles gives Spurrier the serious running threat he has never had.

3.  TE  Orson Charles (Georgia)

Just a beast physically, he will offer QB Joe Cox a big target at the notoriously popular TE position for the Bulldogs.

4.  CB  Stephon Gilmore (South Carolina)

Gilmore is a physically gifted athlete who will start right away in the Gamecock backfield attempting to fill-in for a couple of NFL departed defensive backs.

5.  WR Chad Bumphis (Mississippi St.)

The ultra-quick wide-out will start right away, attempting to play the Percy Harvin role in Dan Mullen's first Bulldog system.

6.  WR Marlon Brown (Georgia)

May take a game or two to step in and make an impact but Brown has all the tools a wide receiver needs and he has AJ Green to help guide him along.

7.  WR Rueben Randle (LSU)

Might just be the most talented wide receiver in the freshman class, Randle should help the Tigers inexperienced quarterbacks from the get-go.

8.  RB  Zac Stacy (Vanderbilt)

Joining a bevy of running back depth at Vanderbilt, Stacy has risen to the top of the group and should lead the Commodores improved offense.

9.  RB  Trent Richardson (Alabama)

Even with all the talent at running back at Alabama, Richardson should provide a punch and contribute right away for the ground-seeking Crimson Tide.

10. WR Nu'Keese Richardson (Tennessee)

The tiny jitterbug will not only get plenty of touches early due to the Volunteers depleted wide receiver group but will also have a chance to shine on special teams.

Honorable Mention:  Russell Shepard, Craig Loston (LSU); Montori Hughes, David Oku (Tennessee); Andre Debose, Jelani Jenkins (Florida); Branden Smith (Georgia); Dre Kirkpatrick (Alabama); Darius Winston (Arkansas); Pat Patterson (Mississippi); Auburn freshman receiving corps

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