SEC Football: Freshmen Who Will Explode in 2015
Every year, a handful of freshmen explode onto the SEC scene with stellar performances that elevate them not only into regional conversation, but national stardom.
Last year, it was Georgia running back Nick Chubb leading the way, along with LSU running back Leonard Fournette, Tennessee defensive end Derek Barnett, Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett and Alabama offensive tackle Cam Robinson.
Which freshmen will explode this year in the SEC? Our picks, based on talent, scheme and opportunity, are in this slideshow.
Alabama QB David Cornwell
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Alabama redshirt freshman QB David Cornwell has fought through knee and ankle injuries during his first year and change in Tuscaloosa, but after spring practice in 2015, the Norman, Oklahoma native found himself as the clear-cut No. 2 and primary contender to senior Jake Coker.
As I wrote last week, he should be the man for head coach Nick Saban and offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin.
He has tremendous arm strength, huge upside and can move better than he gets credit for. With an ultra-talented cast around him like versatile hybrid running back/receiver Kenyan Drake and wide receivers ArDarius Stewart and Robert Foster, and Kiffin as a guide, Cornwell will not only win the job but become a star for the 2015 Crimson Tide.
The SEC isn't known for quarterbacks right now, but it will be by the time we hit October. Cornwell will be part of the reason why.
LSU DB Kevin Toliver II
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Wait, how is freshman Kevin Toliver going to make an impact on an LSU defense that's loaded in the secondary?
Did you see the second team during the spring game? Toliver was part of a second unit that didn't exactly live up to the hype, but it wasn't Toliver's fault. The top-ranked defensive back in the 2015 class had an interception in his first spring game with the Tigers, and the Jacksonville, Florida native is looking to make an impact this fall.
"I really don’t feel pressure, but it is 'DBU' and we have to live up to those standards," Toliver said according to Sonny Shipp of 247Sports. "I’m just going to listen to my coach, coach Raymond, and coach Steele, the defensive coordinator. Whatever they tell me to do, I’m going to do it and hopefully make plays."
He's too good to keep off the field. Whether it's as a nickel or dime, Toliver will find a way to earn significant snaps and announce to the world that he's carrying the 'DBU' banner for the foreseeable future.
Auburn DE Byron Cowart
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Auburn needs to find a pass rush in 2015, and stud defensive end Byron Cowart will likely be a big part of that equation.
The 6'4", 250-pounder from Seffner, Florida is quick off the edge, strong enough to be a force as a three-down defensive end and will benefit from the presence of redshirt sophomore "Buck" Carl Lawson lining up on the other side of the Auburn defensive line.
In most cases, it's a lot to ask a true freshman to come in and make an impact since the closer to the line of scrimmage a player is, the harder it is to shine early. But with Lawson outside and monster defensive tackle Montravius Adams inside, Cowart will be put in plenty of advantageous situations.
He'll take advantage.
Texas A&M WR Christian Kirk
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If you're looking for the next big star at Texas A&M, look no further than wide receiver Christian Kirk.
The Scottsdale, Arizona native enrolled early and took advantage of injuries and suspensions to other receivers this spring, bursting onto the scene and announcing that he will be a factor in the 2015 Aggies offense.
At 5'10", 191 pounds, it might seem like Kirk is destined to play slot receiver. Don't be fooled by his size. He plays much bigger than his frame, and he has already created quite a buzz for himself.
"[He was] the best player at The Opening a year ago," Bleacher Report national video analyst Michael Felder said last month. "Kid was dynamic, great route-runner, tremendous hands. Not the tallest wide receiver, but built solidly enough to get off press and succeed against physical competition."
The combination of Kirk, sophomore quarterback Kyle Allen and head coach Kevin Sumlin's scheme is downright terrifying.
Tennessee DT Shy Tuttle
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Tennessee returns seven of its eight players on its defensive line two-deep from a year ago, but that won't stop freshman early enrollee Shy Tuttle from making an impact.
The 6'3", 315-pounder from Lexington, North Carolina, already has proved that he has the strength to be a force inside for the 2015 Vols.
Don't believe me? Just watch this.
"Shy "War Daddy" Tuttle. https://t.co/DP5a4Em91I
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) April 30, 2015"
"Shy Tuttle playing in the interior, he gained over 500 repetitions, and I thought by the end of spring he really started to get it," head coach Butch Jones said on the post-spring coaches teleconference.
Any good defensive line needs to have depth, and Tuttle will be a big part of that rotation up front in 2015.
Georgia WR Terry Godwin
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Georgia wide receiver Terry Godwin didn't get the benefit of enrolling early, but it won't matter.
The 6'0", 170-pound receiver from Hogansville, Georgia not only has the size and speed to be a big-time weapon for Georgia but is stepping into a situation in which the Bulldogs need him to hit the ground running.
Malcolm Mitchell is the only established threat outside on the roster while Justin Scott-Wesley recovers from a meniscus injury, so once fall camp starts, Godwin will have a chance to solidify himself as an option for new defensive coordinator Brian Schottenheiemer.
It might seem like he's a perfect fit to be a slot receiver, but that job will likely be locked down by Isaiah McKenzie. It won't matter. Godwin is physical at the line, has tremendous speed and is a precise route-runner. He'll be one of the key contributors to the 2015 Georgia offense.
Ole Miss RB Eric Swinney
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It's no secret that Ole Miss desperately needs to find a running game between the tackles, and the 5'10", 188-pounder from Tyrone, Georgia might factor into that equation.
He is quick in space, packs a mean punch and, as long as the Rebel offensive line stays healthy, has a good shot of edging his way into the running back rotation.
"I think he’s a guy that can really do everything on the field," running backs coach Derrick Nix told Ben Garrett of Scout.com. "I’ll learn a lot more in about another month or so when we get him on the field and get to work with him. He’s a guy who runs for power, agility, has good quickness and can catch the ball out of the backfield. He’s just our type of guy for our offense."
He'll have some company between the tackles, with Jordan Wilkins, Eugene Brazley and Akeem Judd also in Oxford to complement edge threat Jaylen Walton. Don't be surprised if Swinney makes a move as the fall progresses.
Florida DE CeCe Jefferson
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Florida absolutely had to get good news on national signing day to salvage the recruiting class for first-year head coach Jim McElwain, and defensive end CeCe Jefferson provided that good news.
The 6'1", 275-pounder from Glen Saint Mary, Florida was brought in specifically to be the centerpiece of new defensive coordinator Geoff Collins' defense. He won't be the star right away. That role belongs to Jon Bullard.
But Jefferson has the size, speed and talent to be a three-down defensive end right away, as well as play other roles in Collins' defense.
"They said I could do everything," Jefferson told Landon Watnick of InsideTheGators.com. "I could go from outside to inside to outside linebacker. They said I'm too versatile to play just one position. I'll be looking to move around a lot. I'm just excited."
Jefferson will be part of the rotation from the moment toe meets leather for the 2015 Florida season.
Georgia DT Trent Thompson
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There's a reason that Trent Thompson was ranked as the top player in the class of 2015, according to 247Sports—the guy's a monster.
At 6'2", 308 pounds, Thompson was the centerpiece of Georgia's most recent recruiting class and will be counted on to play a vital role on a defensive line that is being completely rebuilt this offseason.
He is strong enough to play the nose for defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, but he could also slide down to end in Pruitt's 3-4 scheme if needed.
It's a lot to ask for a freshman to come in and make an impact along the interior line—especially with so much turnover elsewhere up front. But Thompson has the talent and opportunity to be the exception to the rule.
Alabama DB Marlon Humphrey
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It's no secret that Alabama has major cornerback issues after back-to-back seasons in which blown coverages were about as predictable as the sunrise, but redshirt freshman Marlon Humphrey is going to be a part of a change in perception.
The 6'1", 192-pounder from Hoover, Alabama has incredible recovery speed, is physical at the line and has world-class athleticism as evidenced by his work as a hurdler.
It seems like Tony Brown has the second cornerback spot opposite Cyrus Jones on lock after a strong spring, but in a day and age where nickel defenses are the norm and dime happens often, Humphrey will get plenty of chances to build off of a strong spring and shine this year for the 2015 Crimson Tide.
Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All stats are courtesy of cfbstats.com unless otherwise noted, and all recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports' composite rankings.
Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and college football video analyst for Bleacher Report as well as a host on Bleacher Report Radio on Sirius 93, XM 208.
Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.
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