Shiny Sophomores Flashy Freshmen Top New Teammates Carving SEC Football Teams

By week five of college football underclassmen are not really that any more.  At almost mid-season, they’ve strapped on their helmets and sported their collegiate colors for five games, which includes a couple conference matchups and a road game or two.  But when outstanding performances by underclassmen just can’t be overlooked, let’s don’t.

The special passion that southerners have for SEC football teams attracts more top talent, which gives them more to be passionate about.  It’s not a viscous cycle it’s more like a wonderful cycle.  Top high school recruits require further coaching and time to develop and SEC football teams will serve no wine until it’s time.  Every year there are a few that contribute in their freshmen or sophomore seasons.  Some of the underclassmen are extra sparkly and making a contribution that is turning out wins for their SEC football teams.

Since defense wins championships, let’s start there.

Quick Learners on Defense

Alabama’s pair of freshmen defensive backs making an impact.

Alabama No. 26 redshirt freshman DB Marlon Humphrey from Hoover, AL, learned that when he’s covering a receiver if he turns his head, not only does he avoid the defensive pass interference call, he can also intercept the ball, which he did in The Tide’s win against Georgia.  Humphrey made 19 tackles on the season so far through five games, including 3 to help Alabama’s defense completely dominate the Georgia offense holding the Bulldogs to 10 points.  Humphrey is 6’1” and 192 pounds.

Alabama No. 29 Freshman DB Minkah Fitzpatrick has 19 tackles and 2 sacks on the 5 game season.  That includes 4 tackles and 1 sack, plus a special teams punt he blocked and then returned for a TD in the Georgia game.  Scoop and score, he did.  Fitzpatrick is 6’1” and is from Old Bridge, NJ.

A Freshman cornerback with a game-winning interception to his name is already making a big impact on his SEC football team. Kentucky Wildcats No. 21 Freshman DB Chris Westry has 1 interception and 3 passes broken up through the season’s first five games.  Westry broke up a pass intended for South Carolina wide receiver Deebo Samuel, helping Kentucky beat South Carolina, 26 – 22 in Columbia, SC, September 12, 2015.  Westry is 6’4” 185 pounds, and is from Oakleaf HS, Orange Park, FL.

Texas A&M No. 15, Myles Garrett is a Sophomore defensive lineman making a huge impact on his Aggies team.  Garrett is No. 3 in the nation with 7.5 sacks on the season.  He is 6’ 5” and 260 pounds from Arlington, TX.

Slide Show with Photos of the Spectacular underclassmen on SEC Football Teams:

SEC Football Teams with Dazzling Underclassmen on Offense

The number one wide receiver in the SEC is, you guessed it, a freshman.

Texas A&M Freshman Christian Kirk from Scottsdale, Arizona has 103 yards per game and 4 TD’s through the first five games of the 2015 season.  The Aggies WR is 5’11” 200 pounds.  Kirk gained 77 yards receiving in the Mississippi State Game and 8 receptions for 173 yards and 2 TD’s in the Arkansas game, helping the Aggies start conference play 2 – 0.  Kirk was also a kick-off and punt returner in the Miss State game.

Jason Mohns, Kirk’s high school coach at Arizona Saguaro, is impressed with Kirk’s fast success in college, “He was a man among boys at the high school level,” said Mohns, “It’s crazy to see him continue to stand out.”

In the Arkansas game Kirk received a career-high 173 yards receiving for his third 100 plus yard receiving game, which tied a school record.

Alabama No. 3 Freshman wide receiver Calvin Ridley is making an early contribution to his Crimson Tide Team.  Ridley emerged in the Georgia game as the team leader with five catches for 120 yards and 1 TD. Ridley, 6’1” 188 pounds is from Coconut Creek, FL.  On the season he has  22 receptions, 245 yards, 2 TD’s.

A couple of SEC Football Teams with a Couple Amazing Sophomore Rushers

The No. 1 rusher in the nation is LSU No 7 Leonard Fournette, a Sophomore from New Orleans, LA.  Fournette is  6’ 1”  230 lbs.  He has 99 attempts for 864 yards and 11 touchdowns through four games this season.  He trucks over guys, and flings them off like flies.  When LSU is not playing your team, Fournette is fun to watch!

Georgia Bulldogs No. 27 Sophomore RB Nick Chubb is from Cedartown, GA.  Chubb is 5’ 10”  220 lbs.  He has 91 attempts for 745 yards and  7 TD’s so far in his five game season, which included two conference games a win over South Carolina and a loss to Bama.  Even in that loss, Chubb broke away from Alabama’s choking defense to gain 146 yards and his team’s only touchdown giving him his thirteenth straight 100 plus yard game, which tied Herschel Walker’s school record at UGA.

Two SEC Football Teams with Amazing Underclassmen Quarterbacks

Florida No. 7 Freshman Will Grier leads the Gators to five straight W’s.  Grier has 996 yards through the first five games with only 3 interceptions and 10 TD’s.  Against the tough SEC defense of Ole Miss, Grier made 24 of 29, passing for 271 yards.  Grier is from Davidson, NC and is 6’ 2”  201 pounds.

Texas A&M has a Sophomore leading their offense, Aggies No. 10 QB Kyle Allen.  Through the first five games, Allen has 1274 yards, 13 TD and  2 interceptions.  He is 6’ 3” 210 pounds from Scottsdale, AZ.

If they continue to develop their football skills the sky is the limit for these fast starters in the SEC.  Just think, Julio Jones and Serena Williams never stop practicing and looking for ways to improve their craft.

Amazing when you stop and think about it.

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