True freshmen to watch in Alabama vs Georgia
With Alabama hosting Georgia on Saturday, there will be be a lot of young talent on the field. While most people know a lot of the veterans in the game, here are the six true Freshman that I expect to contribute in the game.
WR Ryan Williams (Alabama)
Ryan Williams has arguably been Alabama's most dynamic player so far this season. Already in his true Freshman season he has touchdown catches of 84, 55, and 43 yards. He is a home run threat every time he touches the ball and has quickly become one of the top Freshman in the nation. He has also served as a Punt Returner some as well.
Overall for the season, Williams has 10 catches for 285 yards and 4 touchdowns's (averaging 28.5 yards per catch). He also has one punt return for 20 yards. Williams was a consensus five-star in the class of 2024 and was ranked as the No. 3 Wide Receiver and No. 4 overall player in the class according to the 247 Composite.
Safety KJ Bolden (Georgia)
KJ Bolden has quickly emerged as a playmaker at safety for Georgia. While he's still been rotating in and out at Free Safety (with Dan Jackson) and STAR (with Joenel Aguero and JaCorey Thomas), Bolden has flashed the potential to eventually be one of Georgia's best players and the heir apparent to Malaki Starks as Georgia's elite play-making safety.. While the potential is sky-high for Bolden, he's shown that he has talent in the present as well.
Bolden has 11 tackles and one sack so far this season. He was also a consensus five-star in the class of 2024 and ranked as the No. 13 overall player and No. 1 safety in the class according to 247.
CB Zabien Brown (Alabama)
Brown quickly emerged as a starting corner for Alabama right out of the gate, a rarity for a Freshman. Brown will be in for a test on Saturday against a talented Georgia receiving core, but the coaching staff obviously trusts him.
On the season, Brown has two tackles and one Fumble Recovery. 247 Composite rated Brown as a five-star and as the No. 30 overall player in the class (was rated as the No. 4 corner).
RB Nate Frazier (Georgia)
Nate Frazier bursted onto the scene in Week 1 with a 83 yard performance against Clemson with starting Running back Trevor Etienne serving a suspension and Roderick Robinson out with a toe injury. While Etienne has since returned to the lineup, Frazier still expects to contribute in the ground game for Georgia.
On the season, he has 20 carries, 113 rushing yards, 2 catches, 19 receiving yards, and 1 rushing TD. Frazier was a four-star in the class of 2024 and the 247 Composite ranked him as the No. 49 overall player and No. 2 RB in the class.
Safety Red Morgan (Alabama)
Red Morgan started game one of the year for Alabama and has been alternating in the lineup at Husky (Alabama's nickel) alongside DeVonta Smith since. Whether it's Morgan or Smith that starts, both are expected to see playing time. While Morgan was not as highly rated of a recruit as the rest on this list, he has quickly earned the trust of the Alabama's coaching staff.
Morgan has five tackles, one TFL, and one PBU so far this season. He was a four-star in the class of 2024 and the 247 Composite ranked him as the No. 294 overall player and the No. 28 ranked safety in the class.
CB Jaylen Mbakwe (Alabama)
Another young Alabama DB getting playing-time early in his career, Mbakwe has emerged as Alabama's No. 3 corner (behind Jackson and Brown). He has also seen work at Punt Returner as well after the injury to Cole Adams.
Mbakwe currently has four tackles and one PBU on the year. He has made one punt return on the season and took it for 28 yards. Mbakwe was another consensus five-star in the class of 2024 and the 247 Composite had him as the No. 12 overall player and No. 2 corner in the class.