SEC College Football Predictions: 9 Freshmen Who Will Make an Impact

The SEC is arguably the best conference in college football year in and year out.  They consistently produce the most NFL talent and recruit the best players in the entire country.

Because of all of that talent, many players do not get to see the field during their first year on campus.  In 2011 there should be quite a few freshman that make big impacts for their teams.

Here are nine guys who are going to be big contributors for their teams as true freshmen.

9. A.J. Johnson, LB, Tennessee

Going into the 2011 season Tennessee is going to need a lot of help at linebacker and coaches are hoping that A.J. Johnson can provide that.  Johnson has the size and strength to play middle linebacker right away for the Volunteers. 

For his size, he is one of the most athletic guys in Tennessee’s 2011 recruiting class.  As a senior in high school last year Johnson recorded 186 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, one sack and one interception. 

The Tennessee coaching staff expects Johnson to be the anchor of their defense for many years to come and hopefully that starts this season.

8. Marcus Roberson, DB, Florida

With former star Janoris Jenkins gone the depth of the Florida secondary is in question.  This gives incoming freshman Marcus Roberson a big opportunity. 

Should he play this season, Roberson would be one of the biggest cornerbacks on the Gator’s roster at 6 feet, 170 pounds.  It is likely that he will end up a safety where he can use his ability to make quick reads to his advantage. 

Roberson may not be the best freshman on Florida next year but he could have the biggest impact based on their lack of depth at safety.

7. Jake Bernstein, OL, Vanderbilt

Of all of the guys on this list Vanderbilt offensive lineman Jake Bernstein might be the most underrated.  He was not that highly recruited coming out of Crystal Lake South high school but he has impressed the Commodores’ coaching staff since arriving on campus. 

With so many questions on the Vanderbilt offensive line Bernstein’s versatility might be his biggest asset.  Although he played tackle in high school he has the strength and explosiveness to play inside. 

Bernstein would probably benefit from red shirting this season but after some solid playing time as a freshman he could be a starter for the rest of his career at Vandy.

6. Tevin Mitchel, CB, Arkansas

Many football fans were surprised when Tevin Mitchel picked Arkansas over Nebraska but they shouldn’t be surprised to see him getting big minutes in 2011. After spring practice the Hogs still needed to find their second cornerback on defense. 

Enter Tevin Mitchel.

Mitchel is an extremely well rounded corner that does everything coaches are looking for.  He can play both man and zone coverage in addition to being a threat as a return man. 

With a strong fall camp Mitchel could very well be one of the starting cornerbacks for the Razorbacks in their first game.

5. Erique Florence, S, Auburn

After last season’s National Championship game the Auburn Tigers lost a lot of personnel in their secondary.  Luckily for Tiger fans they got an influx of talent at the position headlined by Erique Florence. 

Coming out of high school Florence was one of the most coveted DBs in the country because of his combination of size and speed. 

He looks like the prototypical strong safety and should have quite a career at Auburn.  Gene Chizik and his staff are hoping that Florence can learn the defense quickly and have a big impact from day one.

4. Joe Morrow, WR, Mississippi State

Mississippi State had a very good 2010 campaign and are hoping to build on that in 2011.  One of the issues last season for the Bulldogs was a lack of depth at receiver. 

Head coach Dan Mullen is pretty confident that Joe Morrow is going to help fix that. 

Morrow is a big target at 6’4”, 200 pounds and should help give Mississippi State’s offense a new dimension. He can make big plays both over the middle and down the sidelines with his deceptive speed. 

Look for Morrow to be a perennial red-zone target at Mississippi State for years to come.

3. Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina

When you are the consensus top prospect in the country there is a lot expected of you during your freshman year.  Needless to say, Gamecocks fans can’t wait for freshman Jadeveon Clowney to take his first snaps on the South Carolina defensive line. 

Clowney has freakish ability and should get solid minutes as a true freshman despite the Gamecocks’ depth at defensive end.  Expect the South Carolina coaching staff to use him on strictly passing downs at first before increasing his playing time.

There is no denying Clowney’s ability and before long he will likely be one of the best pass rushers in the SEC.

2. C.J. Johnson, LB, Ole Miss

Out of all of the talented guys on this list none are going to be counted on by their team more than C.J. Johnson.  Ole Miss is expecting big things from the Mississippi native right out of the gate. 

After losing D.T. Shackelford with a knee injury the door is wide open for Johnson to play either middle or outside linebacker.  Johnson is a tremendous athlete with good instincts to make big plays all over the field. 

Although he may find a stiff learning curve initially in the SEC he should become Ole Miss’s best linebacker since Patrick Willis.

1. Isaiah Crowell, RB, Georgia

Quarterback Aaron Murray has a new best friend in Isaiah Crowell. The incoming freshman was arguably the best high school running back last year and will make an immediate impact for the Bulldogs. 

Last year’s starter Washaun Ealey has had some issues off the field, and backup Caleb King has not immerged as a star back. This gives Crowell to the opportunity to make a big impact as a true freshman. 

He is a dynamic runner with a good balance of size and speed. It won’t be long before fans in Athens are talking about Crowell and the Heisman Trophy in the same sentence.