Each SEC East Team's Most Important "True" Freshman

It’s a new season in the SEC and that means new faces for every program, especially in the SEC East.

Whether they lost players to the NFL Draft, graduation or have some who are transferring, holes need to be filled for every SEC East team. It was another strong recruiting class for the teams down south, but what “True” freshmen will have the biggest impact on their team? First up, the SEC East.

Tennessee – Nigel Warrior – S – 4-Star
Warrior has a chance to come in right away and play in a what was a struggling Tennessee secondary last season. Out of the 50 ranked FBS teams the Vols gave up the 4th most passing yards per game, even with NFL prospects Jalen Reeves-Mabin and Cameron Sutton back there. Warrior will come in and contribute right away and hopefully repair a secondary that was shredded last season, especially in big games.
Georgia – Jacob Eason – QB – 5-Star

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I mean this was an easy one, SEC East or not. A team that had Faton Bauta at QB last season will be getting a MEGA upgrade with Class of 2016’s #1 QB Jacob Eason. Eason is a traditional pocket passing QB with a big arm and good intangibles, but that’s okay because those QB’s have had success at Georgia. Even with Chubb coming back, Eason will be expected to pick up a massive load this season with the pressure of Bulldog Nation behind him.

Florida – Tyrie Cleveland – WR – 4-Star

An offense that struggled immensely last year will be seeing an upgrade at wide receiver this season with the addition of Tyrie Cleveland from Westfield, Texas. With a new QB under center as well, Tyrie will have a chance to mold a relationship from the start in Luke Del Rio and Cleveland’s first season in Gainesville. Cleveland has a great frame at 6’3’’ 189 ILBs. He should be a beast in the SEC East. He will form a trio of very good young wideouts in himself, Antonio Callaway, and Freddie Swain down in Gainesville. All three should hopefully give new starting QB, Luke Del Rio an easier job.

South Carolina – Brandon McIlwain – QB – 4-Star
Another team’s QB situation that is just absolutely atrocious. It’s a trend in the SEC East, as well as the SEC. The Gamecock’s lost Pharaoh Cooper to the NFL this past season, their only real target. Mcllwain is going to have to use his legs a lot this year, but he has shown promise in doing so. Standing at 6’0′,’ he is a little on the shorter end — but has good weight at 200 ILBs. He has been in camp since January so he should already know the ins-outs. You can’t ask for more for first-year head coach Will Muschamp. Muschamp knows who crucial having a quarterback is in the SEC East. Even with little to no weapons, McIlwain has shown life in the spring and a very good skill set throughout the offseason. It should translate to him having a solid freshman campaign.

Vanderbilt – Deuce Wallace – QB – 3-Star

Vanderbilt has more holes than I can count and likely will finish near the bottom of the SEC East again. Incoming QB Deuce Wallace will try and have a word about that, as he will be competing for starting minutes from the minute he steps on campus. Wallace has good height at 6’2’’, but is a little lighter side — weighing in at around 200 ILBs. Wallace will likely have some competition at QB with Vandy not having 1 QB older than a Junior, so a lot of youth is at that position. The Commodores offense was just atrocious last year. The rough part is that, once again, there is little to no weapons if Wallace does get the starting role. The reason he is most important rather than someone who won’t have to battle for a spot is because he is the most talented QB on the roster and can help lead Vandy in a better direction in the upcoming seasons.

Kentucky – Kash Daniel – ILB – 3-Star
Kentucky has a lot of depth at the linebacker position, but hasn’t had a true starter or “stud” since Bud Dupree left in the 2015 NFL Draft. With no elite man on the LB depth chart, Daniel should be able to start right away and really help out the Kentucky defense. Daniel is listed as an inside linebacker, but it would come to no surprise to me if he moves to the outside and rushes the passer a few times this season with his frame. He is a little bit on the shorter side at 6’1″, but he should be able to make up with it using his quickness and force. The Wildcats need their stud linebacker if they want to compete in the SEC East.

must read: The Best and Worst of College Football: How Cam Robinson got off with no Charges

Missouri – Darvis Holmes – OT – 4-Star

Darvis Holmes is absolutely massive, standing at 6’6’’ 330 ILBs. He will try and help repair a Tiger team that went from winning the SEC East to second to last this past season at 5-7. Holmes will most likely have an immediate impact on the Tiger offensive line and will be expected to protect young QB Drew Lock from the incredible pass rushes around the SEC. Good luck, young fella.

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Each SEC East Team’s Most Important “True” Freshman

By Nicholas Gonzalez | Jun 29, 2016

It’s a new season in the SEC and that means new faces for every program, especially in the SEC East.