Team-by-team breakdown of SEC early enrollees
Spring practice already is underway in Nashville, but we’re about two weeks away for many SEC programs.
Several strong members of the 2015 signing class already are on campus taking classes and preparing for their first college practice. Which junior college transfers and true freshman early enrollees already are part of the team, and who may contribute on the field immediately?
TENNESSEE (10)
This makes 24 early enrollees for the Vols in two years. Between that and Butch Jones’ ability to find early Vols commitments willing to help him recruit, UT has a good system going. Kamara should get plenty of carries to help out Jalen Hurd in the backfield. It sounds like Phillips will miss spring practice due to injury, but he’s got a chance to shore up Tennessee’s already-strong pass rush if he’s healthy by the fall. Tuttle should play right away as well, assuming a solid spring. Many of the others are good college prospects who probably are competing for rotational spots at best, as the team’s depth is looking markedly better, even if it’s still young and inexperienced.
Player | Position | Star Ranking* | Height | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kyle Phillips | DE | Four-star | 6-3.5 | 250 |
Alvin Kamara | RB | Four-star | 5-10.5 | 210 |
Shy Tuttle | DT | Four-star | 6-3 | 320 |
Jack Jones | OT | Four-star | 6-5 | 290 |
Darrin Kirkland Jr. | ILB | Four-star | 6-1 | 223 |
Jauan Jennings | QB | Four-star | 6-4 | 188 |
Quinten Dormady | QB | Four-star | 6-4 | 200 |
Andrew Butcher | DE | Four-star | 6-2 | 242 |
Chance Hall | OT | Three-star | 6-5 | 305 |
Stephen Griffin | S | Three-star | 6-3 | 190 |
AUBURN (8)
Robinson has every opportunity to become the next Tigers skill player to emerge from the JUCO ranks as an all-conference type player. He’s likely the most SEC-ready running back entering the league in 2015. Cox isn’t as bulky as underrated ’13 standout Jay Prosch, but he’s a versatile player who can block, run and catch. If he adds some weight and gets acclimated in spring practice, he could be a major piece of the 2015 signing class pretty early. Swain and Smith, both junior college transfers, also should get a chance to earn some snaps.
Player | Position | Star Ranking* | Height | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jovon Robinson | RB | Four-star | 5-11 | 225 |
Tyler Carr | G | Four-star | 6-5 | 311 |
Jason Smith | ATH | Four-star | 6-1 | 180 |
Tim Irvin | ATH | Four-star | 5-8.5 | 194 |
Chandler Cox | FB | Four-star | 6-0.5 | 222 |
Bailey Sharp | OT | Four-star | 6-5 | 280 |
Tyler Queen | QB | Three-star | 6-2 | 229 |
Maurice Swain | DT | Three-star | 6-4 | 295 |
ALABAMA (7)
It seems unlikely coach Nick Saban and offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin will hand over the keys to a true freshman quarterback, but with a strong spring, Barnett can put himself in great position to claim the job in 2016. Taylor is a junior college player who should play immediately in the defensive line rotation. The young talent in the secondary can’t develop fast enough, and the Tide will try to get Thompson and Harrison up to speed as fast as possible. But the most important newcomer may be delayed 2014 signee Bo Scarbrough, who was able to participate in the bowl practices.
Player | Position | Star Ranking* | Height | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|
Blake Barnett | QB | Five-star | 6-4.5 | 200 |
Deionte Thompson | S | Four-star | 6-2 | 181 |
Desherrius Flowers | RB | Four-star | 6-0.5 | 204 |
Ronnie Harrison | S | Four-star | 6-3 | 205 |
Dallas Warmack | G | Four-star | 6-1.5 | 306 |
Brandon Kennedy | G | Four-star | 6-2.5 | 295 |
Jonathan Taylor | DT | Three-star | 6-4 | 335 |
GEORGIA (7)
Defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt inherits six of the seven early enrollees. It appears UGA will push Patrick to linebacker, where the depth chart already is loaded, so he may not make a name for himself right away. But Ledbetter is capable of cracking the defensive line rotation during spring practice. UAB transfer Jake Ganus could be an interesting rotational player, as he was an all-conference performer for the Blazers.
Player | Position | Star Ranking* | Height | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jonathan Ledbetter | DE | Four-star | 6-4 | 265 |
Natrez Patrick | DE | Four-star | 6-3 | 259 |
Jackson Harris | TE | Four-star | 6-6 | 250 |
Michael Barnett | DE | Four-star | 6-5 | 258 |
Johnathan Abram | S | Three-star | 6-1 | 202 |
Chuks Amaechi | ILB | Three-star | 6-3 | 220 |
Jarvis Wilson | S | Three-star | 6-2 | 197 |
SOUTH CAROLINA (7)
Lewis, a junior college transfer, should start immediately and Wideman also should get snaps as the Gamecocks’ defensive line tries to bridge the gap between the ’12 and ’13 units and the one that got manhandled last season. (It’s no coincidence that five of the seven early enrollees play defense.)
Darin Smalls, an academic casualty from the 2014 class as a three-star cornerback, also is enrolled.
Player | Position | Star Ranking* | Height | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|
Marquavius Lewis | DE | Four-star | 6-4 | 271 |
Dexter Wideman | DE | Four-star | 6-4 | 260 |
Sherrod Pittman | OLB | Four-star | 6-0.5 | 224 |
Christian Owens | WR | Three-star | 6-5 | 207 |
Jalen Henry | ILB | Three-star | 6-0 | 219 |
Ernest Hawkins | ILB | Three-star | 6-2 | 225 |
Jerad Washington | WR | Three-star | 5-9 | 165 |
TEXAS A&M (7)
Evans and George, both junior college transfers, give defensive coordinator John Chavis two players he should be able to use immediately. In what capacity, he’ll hope to find out during the course of spring practice. No surprise with the rest of the group in that it includes three pass-catchers and yet another touted offensive tackle. But Kirk may be the only one to make a mark in 2015. He could position himself for a Speedy Noil-like true freshman season.
Player | Position | Star Ranking* | Height | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|
Christian Kirk | WR | Five-star | 5-10 | 191 |
Keaton Sutherland | OT | Four-star | 6-5 | 293 |
Jordan Davis | TE | Four-star | 6-4.5 | 255 |
Richard Moore | OLB | Three-star | 6-0.5 | 210 |
Justin Evans | S | Three-star | 6-0 | 185 |
Damion Ratley | WR | Three-star | 6-1 | 185 |
Claude George | OLB | Three-star | 6-2 | 230 |
ARKANSAS (7)
Taiwan Johnson could move to defensive end if Ledbetter, a junior college transfer, proves capable of starting immediately in the SEC. Froholdt is the top-rated player out of this group. Originally from Denmark, he probably stands to benefit most from spring ball, but may not be ready to contribute immediately. The rest of this group appears destined for either redshirt seasons or backup roles, but the players have a head start on 2016.
Player | Position | Star Ranking* | Height | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hjalte Froholdt | DT | Four-star | 6-4 | 282 |
Will Gragg | TE | Four-star | 6-4 | 245 |
Ty Storey | QB | Four-star | 6-3 | 216 |
Jalen Merrick | G | Four-star | 6-5 | 295 |
Jeremiah Ledbetter | DT | Four-star | 6-3 | 281 |
Zach Rogers | G | Three-star | 6-2 | 297 |
Daytrieon Dean | DT | Three-star | 6-2.5 | 260 |
MISSISSIPPI STATE (6)
Rankin is the favorite to start at left tackle immediately as a junior college transfer. Gray also has a chance at immediate playing time as a Jameon Lewis type receiver. Because the Bulldogs are so inexperienced, it’s possible one of the others could impress the coaches in spring ball and command playing time.
Player | Position | Star Ranking* | Height | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|
Donald Gray | WR | Four-star | 5-9 | 185 |
Martinas Rankin | OT | Four-star | 6-5 | 300 |
Malik Dear | ATH | Four-star | 5-9.5 | 226 |
Deddrick Thomas | ATH | Three-star | 5-9 | 170 |
Johnathan Calvin | DE | Three-star | 6-4 | 250 |
Michael Story | OT | Three-star | 6-4 | 290 |
OLE MISS (5)
Four of these players are junior college transfers. Jones and Bridges offer immediate reinforcements on defense. But it’s Kelly who presents the most interesting figure during spring ball. If he learns the offense and somehow manages to both stay out of trouble off the field and stay in the good graces of his teammates and coaches, the Rebels offense has a chance to take a step forward in 2015.
Player | Position | Star Ranking* | Height | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|
Javon Patterson | G | Four-star | 6-2.5 | 317 |
D.J. Jones | DT | Four-star | 6-2 | 310 |
Tony Bridges | CB | Four-star | 6-2 | 185 |
Chad Kelly | QB | Three-star | 6-1 | 210 |
Terry Caldwell | OLB | Three-star | 6-2 | 215 |
LSU (4)
Toliver II will compete with sophomore Ed Paris during the spring with a chance to wiggle into an immediate starting role, but he should play regardless. LSU is in need of a fullback with Connor Neighbors departing, and Ducre also will play right away if he can prove up to the task during spring ball.
Player | Position | Star Ranking* | Height | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kevin Toliver II | CB | Five-star | 6-2 | 185 |
David Ducre | FB | Four-star | 5-11 | 238 |
Hanner Shipley | TE | Three-star | 6-5 | 283 |
Justin McMillan | QB | Three-star | 6-1.5 | 170 |
KENTUCKY (4)
Kentucky returns virtually nothing at tight end, and Conrad will be an immediate starter barring a horrible spring. New coordinator Shannon Dawson likely will find ways to incorporate him into the 2015 playbook. Although they aren’t early enrollees as part of the 2015 class per se, TE Greg Hart and LB Courtney Love could play in reserve roles after transferring from Nebraska.
Player | Position | Star Ranking* | Height | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|
C.J. Conrad | TE | Four-star | 6-5 | 225 |
Jordan Jones | OLB | Three-star | 6-2 | 203 |
George Asafo-Adjei | OT | Three-star | 6-4 | 295 |
Kengera Daniel | DE | Three-star | 6-6 | 250 |
FLORIDA (2)
Neither player is expected to make a big splash in 2015, but they’re the first two Jim McElwain signees to enroll at the University of Florida.
Player | Position | Star Ranking* | Height | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|
Daniel Imatorbhebhe | TE | Three-star | 6-4 | 227 |
Kalif Jackson | WR | Three-star | 6-5 | 200 |
MISSOURI (2)
Cuellar, a junior college transfer, has an excellent shot to earn a starting offensive tackle spot during spring practice. That would allow Mitch Hall to remain at guard with Taylor Chappell manning the other tackle spot.
Player | Position | Star Ranking* | Height | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|
Malik Cuellar | OT | Three-star | 6-5 | 290 |
Tanner Owen | OT | Three-star | 6-5 | 265 |
VANDERBILT (1)
Mitchell is a junior college transfer with the kind of length coach Derek Mason wants at outside linebacker. A pretty accomplished pass rusher at City College of San Francisco, Mitchell should contribute immediately after getting the opportunity to participate in spring practice.
Player | Position | Star Ranking* | Height | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nehemiah Mitchell | DE | Three-star | 6-5 | 265 |