College Football 2012: The Top Incoming Freshmen for Each SEC Team

Continuing our series of top Freshmen for each BCS Conference team. This stop sees us arrive in the South, as we look at the SEC.

People always want to know why the SEC is the best conference in college football. Well, it's because of the talent. Where does that talent come from? Recruiting. The players on this list are the future stars for the SEC schools.

For this read, I'm going to give you the top incoming freshman for each SEC team.

Vanderbilt: Brian Kimbrow, RB

Brian Kimbrow is a 5'9", 170-pound darting speedster on the field and is one of the fastest players in the 2012 class. I had him ranked inside my top 100 for a period of the 2012 cycle.

He can factor as a running back, wide receiver or defensive back and will undoubtedly return kicks and some punts, too. He's the crown jewel for James Franklin and will add speed, quickness and playmaking ability to the Vandy program going forward.

Texas A&M: Matt Davis, QB

Matt Davis is the top freshman for Kevin Sumlin's first class in College Station. He's a 6'1", 210-pound quarterback with dual threat ability.

Davis can make throws on the run, attack deep and flashes good accuracy to all facets of the field. If things topple in the pocket, Davis won't be afraid to get yards on his own with his legs,now that his knee is getting stronger.

He should be a solid fit in Sumlin's offense.

Tennessee: LaDarrell McNeil, DB

Is LaDarrell McNeil Eric Berry? No. But he's still very, very good.

He's a 6'2", 190-pund heat-seeking missile that will lay a ball carrier out with a crushing hit.

McNeil has great play speed, can be an eighth defender in the box to support the run, will attack the line of scrimmage and can tackle well. He also can help against the pass with good range in the back end and will make a play for the ball in flight. 

South Carolina: Shaq Roland, WR

6'1", 180 pounds, Shaq Roland is the top prospect coming out of the Palmetto State for 2012. He's such a smooth and speedy athlete that you just watch in awe as he moves around.

While Roland could play defensive back in Columbia, look for him to get coached up at wide receiver, where he'll finally have time to learn the nuances of the position full-time.

Once he hones his craft and improves as route runner, with his length, speed and ball skills, Roland should become a prime weapon for Steve Spurrier.

Missouri: Doral Green-Beckham, WR

DGB is the consensus No.1 player in the country, as the 6'6", 220-pounder is a wide receiver prospect with 4.4 speed. He's a sheer playmaker and hails from the Show Me State.

Dorian Green-Beckham can beat press coverage with strength, eat up cushion, stem up a corner and separate with great separation quickness. He's very athletic, can high-point throws and terrorize a secondary in the red zone.

Green-Beckham is also a great RAC player, too.

Mississippi State: Quay Evans, DT

Evans will start for the Bulldogs very soon. He's just too big and too explosive not to. Standing 6'2", and weighing close to 320-pounds, he's a prime time recruit with prime time skills.

Evans shows elite snap quickness, will dig into a blocker's body, has the strength to simply bull rush and walk a guy back into the passer.

He also flashes some quickness to get around blocks vs. the run, chase speed to pursue and has the anchor ability to make a mess in the middle. He's going to be a star for Dan Mullen.

Ole Miss: Channing Ward, DE/OLB

Channing Ward is the crown piece in new Rebel leader Hugh Freeze's era in Oxford. He gives Freeze a 6'4", 240-pound dynamic edge defender with a thick frame and a the potential to develop into a complete defensive end.

While Ward can stand up and rush, he can put his hand down, burst off the ball, fight to pressure and finish on the passer. He also flashes the strength to set the edges as a run defender and the range to chase and pursue.

He'll be the Rebels' best defender in a few seasons.

LSU: Kwon Alexander, LB

Now, I'm not opposed to redshirting Kwon Alexander in 2012, thus allowing his torn ACL to fully heal. He's a 6'2", 210-pound outside linebacker with amazing play speed and range.

He's a prototypical "chase" 'backer that can beat outside linebackers to marks with speed, not get caught in traffic and hawk ball carriers literally sideline to sideline.

Alexander will be an All-SEC caliber linebacker once his knee gets back to 100 percent. He's that good.

Kentucky: Patrick Towles, QB

I'm going with Towles as the top incoming freshman for Kentucky. 6'5", 235-pounds, he has the size to see over the rush, dictate his own throwing lanes and see the full field.

Towles flashes solid arm strength, can push the ball to all levels. Look for him to be groomed to impact the roster Joker Phillips down the line.

Georgia: Keith Marshall, RB

I could have gone with defensive end/outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins, offensive tackle John Theus or linebacker Josh Harvey-Clemons here, but it's Keith Marshall. He's got a chance to be special in Athens as he has all the tools you want in a headliner.

Marshall is a 5'11", 190-pound running back with excellent speed. He's as explosive as you can be, can burst to and through holes, split the safeties deep and pull away from anybody when carrying the football.

I liken him to LeSean McCoy of the Eagles.

Florida: D.J. Humphries, OT

6'6", 275 pounds, D.J. Humphries has a chance to be a NFL left tackle. He's an incredible athlete for a big man, looks like a tight end playing offensive and has the length and feet to protect the blindside with ease.

Humphries needs some technique work, but this guy has unlimited potential. He can shadow rushers, adjust to recover and mirror and can be used as a weapon to perform any block needed.

He's going to start soon in Gainesville, maybe even this year.

Auburn: Avery Young, OT

Avery Young is also a very, very good offensive tackle prospect. 6'5", 280-pounds from Florida, he also shows left tackle potential. Young is a solid run blocker, will work each snap and has the feet to hold his own against speed rushers on an island.

Auburn got to beef up their offensive line depth last recruiting cycle in 2011. Young only adds to that this year in 2012. The Tiger offensive front will be talented, young and deep in the coming seasons.

Arkansas: Jonathan Williams, RB

Williams is a great cut back runner at 5'11", 205-pounds. He's a Texan, headed to the Hog farm and will be solid for Bobby Petrino.

He reminds with a good blend of size and speed, has some foot quickness, will attack a front seven hard downhill and will flash some elusiveness. Williams can finish runs well and likely will be in the 225-pound range before leaves Arkansas.

Alabama: Landon Collins, SS

Not a lot of people can come in and play early on Alabama's defense. It's complex, grand and overwhelming. 

However, there's a growing sense that Landon Collins has the football IQ to come in and contribute. 6'0", 210-pounds, Collins is a five-star defensive back from Louisiana with excellent instincts, sharp play speed, an attacking demeanor and the ability to blow up ball carriers.

Collins will play in the NFL one day, maybe in three years, because he's just going to be a force for the Crimson Tide.