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The very nature of the early enrollee concept is that players could more than likely play significant minutes by September, if not start.
Many of these players are supposed to fill needs across the depth chart. But how pressing the need is depends on the program.
Case in point: At Georgia, safety is a position of need, but two freshmen are sharing the spotlight with another at quarterback, a position not necessarily with much concern (depending on who you ask).
Here is a breakdown of the early enrollees in the SEC East who have received the most chatter so far this spring:
Florida
Before Kadarius Toney stole the spring game, two of the five enrollees who received the most buzz from Jim McElwain and the media were offensive tackle Kadeem Telfort and tight end Kemore Gamble.
McElwain told Rivals that Gamble would be “a guy that people are going to know who he is.” Last week, McElwain added that “he’ll be a factor.”
“As of right now, he’ll be playing,” McElwain said. “He’s just got to continue the communication piece, especially in the blocking stuff we need to do. But here’s the thing I like about him, is he’s willing. When the guy has got courage, he doesn’t back down. He’s got as good of hand-eye coordination, great ball skills as probably anybody on our team.”
Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun added to the praise McElwain heaped on Gamble, and added Telfort to the mix.
“I saw Telfort up close at Pro Day and he looks like a veteran SEC offensive lineman — big, strong, athletic,” Andreu wrote. “He’s making a serious push for playing time at tackle. Gamble has been a spring star, showing wide receiver skills and playmaking ability at tight end. The veteran TEs better watch out or he’s going to steal a lot of their playing time.”
Toney, a dual-threat reserve quarterback, had such an impressive spring that McElwain said the Gators will have special packages this fall to get the ball in his hands.
Georgia
Not many players have received more attention than Jake Fromm this offseason as in some minds, he’s progressed to a full-fledged quarterback competition with last year’s golden boy, Jacob Eason. Part of the issue is Georgia has just two scholarship quarterbacks on the roster, but others thought Eason, despite his highlights in 2016, wasn’t quite as good as advertised. The response to that sentiment is that if Fromm somehow wins the job, Georgia is in worse shape than expected.
The other players receiving spring attention in Athens are Richard LeCounte III and Deangelo Gibbs, who are impressing at safety and the hybrid “star” position.
The Banner-Herald reported that Kirby Smart described at a recent Athens Touchdown Club meeting that competition was a welcome sight.
“To see him pushing Jacob is a really good thing,” Smart said of Fromm. “When he sits in a meeting and answers something Jacob can’t answer, it bothers Jacob. I think that’s really good because competition … is what drives us all. If somebody lights a fire under you, you can’t get comfortable.”
Kentucky
Of the Wildcats’ seven early enrollees, receiver Clevan Thomas has caught the eye of coaches and teammates, according to Cats Illustrated.
Offensive coordinator Eddie Gran even compared him to last season’s star freshman, Benny Snell.
Receivers coach Lamar Thomas also noticed that Thomas is actually walking the walk as opposed to just talking a big game as a freshman.
“Clevan’s done great,” Lamar Thomas said. “The opportunity he has in front of him to come in and learn, he’s gotten better every day. He’s really eager about learning. He loves coming in and learning extra stuff. That’s a good thing for a freshman. He wants to learn, asks a lot of questions. He’s going to get better and better.”
Missouri
Pompey Coleman at backup right tackle and Isaiah Miller at third-string running back have drawn some attention, but not much buzz so far.
South Carolina
The youth movement is truly on to the next phase of the Will Muschamp era. Receiver OrTre Smith made a touchdown catch late in the Garnet and Black game, and is expected to be a part of a talented receiving corps for the Gamecocks. Smith was limited much of the spring by an ankle injury.
M.J. Webb, meanwhile, is focusing on the interior defensive line position while he could be moved later, or play multiple positions.
Yet the early enrollee who was praised most on the SEC Network broadcast of the spring game by Greg McElroy was safety Jaylin Dickerson, who is expected to see plenty of playing time. Dickerson made an interception and had an acrobatic pass breakup along the sideline. And another early enrollee, Kaleb Chalmers, made a game-high eight tackles.
Tennessee
Trey Smith arrived in Knoxville with a wide body and high expectations. The former 5-star recruit is 6-6 and 313 pounds, and already impressing teammates.
“We play on different sides of the ball, but sometimes when we switch I’ll go against him,” defensive end Darrell Taylor told the Times Free-Press. “I think it’s about half and half (who wins), because he’s a pretty big guy. He does not (look like a freshman) at all.”
Taylor also noticed linebacker Shanon Reid, and shared his opinion with 247 Sports.
“We’ve got a new enrollee named Shanon, and I think he’s standing out,” Taylor said. “He’s got a lot to learn, but I think he’s doing some real good things on the field.”
Vanderbilt
Dimitri Moore at inside linebacker, who is in the midst of a position competition, and safety Tae Daley, who blocked a field goal attempt in the spring game, made some strides but nothing that resembled much of a splash.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
