This has been an unusual offseason for us all and there may be no better example of that than seeing NFL games take place weeks before the SEC takes the field for the first time this fall.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it is unusual.

Given the atypical football calendar, players like Jaylen Waddle have been able to watch their former teammates take the field for the first time at the NFL level without having to prepare for a game themselves.

During his Tuesday media availability, Waddle was asked if he got to watch Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs make their NFL debuts.

“Oh, most definitely. You know I had to tune in to watch my boys play,” Waddle said. “I was happy with their performance.”

One player generating a lot of buzz down in Tuscaloosa is freshman defensive back Brian Branch.

Based on what Waddle had to say about the Georgia native, that buzz is only going to continue to grow as we inch closer to the start of the SEC season.

“Brian Branch is definitely a baller,” Waddle continued. “I like the way he competes, he’s physical, he’s going to be a future star. Definitely a household name.”

Who knows, this time next year, it may be Branch standing at the podium being asked what he thinks of Waddle’s NFL debut.