In a trying year, some players stepped up big time for their teams. And some of those players were true freshmen. These were the best true freshmen in the SEC. The future is bright for these young players and their teams.
Offense
Quarterbacks
Anthony Richardson – Florida
Richardson only attempted two passes this season. One was intercepted and one was a TD. He also had 61 rushing yards. What you’ll notice most about him is his size. He’s a big dude with a strong arm. Remember the name!
Max Johnson – LSU
Johnson was impressive this season. He threw for 1,069 yards and 8 TDs with just 1 INT. He’s a lefty with good touch on his passes and good accuracy. Bright future ahead for Max.
Will Rogers – Mississippi State
Rogers has a bright future as QB under head coach Mike Leach. This season he threw for 1,976 yards and 11 TDs and added a rushing TD.
Brady Cook – Missouri
Cook only attempted 7 passes, but he completed 6 of them for 72 yards and a touchdown.
Luke Doty – South Carolina
Doty is a Dual Threat option at QB and someone who might excel under the new coaching staff. This season he rushed for 91 yards and threw for 405 yards and 2 TDs in limited action.
Harrison Bailey – Tennessee
Bailey was a big time pickup for the Vols and he’s the future at QB for Tennessee. This season he threw for 578 yards and 4 TDs with just 2 INTs.
Ken Seals – Vanderbilt
Seals gave the Commodores stability at the QB position this season. He didn’t have huge numbers, but he completed 64.6% of his passes, while throwing for 12 TDs.
Running Backs
Tank Bigsby – Auburn
Bigsby was sensational this season and will be one of the top RBs in college football the next few seasons. He rushed for 834 yards and 5 TDs, while averaging 6 yards per carry. He also added 11 receptions for 84 yards.
Henry Parrish Jr – Ole Miss
Parrish Jr rushed for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns this season, and averaged 5.1 yards per carry. He also caught 5 passes for 40 yards. He could be in line for a big season in 2021.
Wide Receivers
Ze’Vian Capers – Auburn
Capers got limited action this season but hauled in 7 passes for 77 yards and a touchdown. With so many departures at WR for Auburn, he will be relied upon heavily next season.
Xzavier Henderson – Florida
Henderson is a big 6’4″ receiver who will be a big time contributor for the Gators the next few seasons. He showed his skills off this season with 9 receptions for 148 yards and a touchdown. Remember the Name!
Jermaine Burton – Georgia
Burton was a big time recruit from California and he impressed me this season. He has a bright future ahead. This season he had 27 catches for 404 yards and 3 TDs. He also added 50 rushing yards.
Kayshon Boutte – LSU
Boutte stepped up huge for LSU, especially late in the season. He caught 45 passes for 735 yards and 5 touchdowns. He could very well be the next big time receiver at LSU.
Jaden Walley – Mississippi State
Walley has an exceptional future in this Mike Leach Offense. This season he caught 52 passes for 718 yards and 2 touchdowns. Remember the name!
Jalin Hyatt – Tennessee
Hyatt is one of the fastest players in CFB, and he made an immediate impact this season. He caught 20 passes for 276 yards and 2 TDs.
Tight End
Darnell Washington – Georgia
Washington is a 6’7″ match-up nightmare, and I hope to see him utilized more next season. This season he caught 7 passes for 166 yards.
Arik Gilbert – LSU (Transfer Portal)
Gilbert was a 5⭐ TE who is now in the Transfer Portal. He had a productive season this year catching 35 passes for 368 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Offensive Linemen
- OG Vershon Lee – South Carolina
Defense
Defensive Linemen
Will Anderson Jr – Alabama
Anderson Jr was the top true freshman Defensive Lineman in college football in 2020. This season he posted 52 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, and forced 1 fumble. He’s a future 1st round pick.
DT Gervon Dexter – Florida
Dexter is a match-up nightmare because of his combination of size and quickness. This season he showed flashes of what’s to come with 20 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack and 1 INT.
Linebackers
LB/DE B.J. Ojulari – LSU
Ojulari is going to be a big time playmaker for LSU and one of the best players in the SEC the next few years. This season he had 16 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 1 PBU, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery.
Defensive Backs
Brian Branch – Alabama
Branch was excellent for the Tide this season and it looks like he will be another great Bama DB. This season he totaled 27 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 INT, and 7 pass breakups.
Malachi Moore – Alabama
Moore was one of the top DBs in CFB this season. He totaled 44 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 6 pass breakups, 3 INTs, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 touchdown.
Eli Ricks – LSU
Ricks stepped up big for LSU this season and had 11 tackles, 5 pass breakups, and 4 INTs. 🔒 It looks like he will be the next big time DB for the Tigers.
Emmanuel Forbes – Mississippi State
Forbes had one of the best DB seasons in 2020 by anyone. Not just true freshmen. He was a lockdown corner who had 45 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 6 pass breakups, 5 INTs, and 3 touchdowns 🔒🔒🔒🔥🔥🔥🔒🔒🔒
Ennis Rakestraw – Missouri
Rakestraw made a big impact this season for the Tigers. He totaled 24 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 6 pass breakups. Remember the name!
Jaylon Jones – Texas A&M
Jones was a 5-star recruit who played like one this season. He had 30 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 6 pass breakups, and 1 INT. He’s excellent in coverage and also not afraid to make a tackle.
Special Teams
K Harrison Mevis – Missouri
Mevis, aka the Thiccer Kicker, was 17-20 on field goals this season and 28-28 on XPs. He has a strong leg, but most of all he’s accurate.
