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Which 2014 recruiting classes performed the best in the SEC?
By Drew Laing
Published:
Now that the 2014 regular season is behind us and we’re into the bowl season, we can officially look back at the 2014 recruiting class and see which recruits had the biggest impact on their respective SEC schools.
A number of talented freshmen and junior college transfers became household names this season, so which school had the best recruiting class?
5. Alabama Crimson Tide
Most notable: LT Cam Robinson, JK Scott, Jarran Reed and DJ Pettway
The skinny: Alabama pulled in 2014’s top recruiting class according to 247sports, but with so much talent across the board, it’s so tough for a lot of the freshman to get significant playing time in year one. Cam Robinson, Alabama’s top recruit from the class, was one freshman that played the biggest role. He was the team’s starting left tackle and had a big part in Alabama’s SEC-best 13 sacks allowed.
Jarran Reed and DJ Pettway were both JUCO transfers for the Tide, but they both locked down the defensive end position along the line. The two combined for 72 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
Punter JK Scott also became a weapon for Alabama as the freshman punter was a huge advantage for Alabama when it came to the field position game. Scott is up for the Ray Guy Award and was All-SEC first-team.
4. LSU Tigers
Most notable: RB Leonard Fournette, WR Malachi Dupre, DB Jamal Adams
The skinny: Leonard Fournette may not have won the Heisman like some predicted, but the talented freshman back pounded his way to nearly 900 yards and eight touchdowns on the season. Although UGA’s Nick Chubb was the year’s most exciting freshman back, Fournette didn’t disappoint and pulled off some incredible highlight reel runs, including his Herschel Walker-like run against the Aggies.
On the outside, Malachi Dupre emerged as a reliable No. 2 target for LSU quarterbacks and recorded five receiving touchdowns, tied for the freshman-lead in the SEC. However, Dupre’s potential this season was limited by the rocky quarterback play all season.
Speaking of quarterbacks, Brandon Harris appeared to be the answer in the starting role for a few weeks, but after a rough start on the road against Auburn, he never really got another shot to get more playing time.
And don’t forget about defensive back Jamal Adams. Even with the numerous talented players in the secondary for LSU, Adams still stood out and recorded 56 tackles.
3. Tennessee Vols
Most notable: RB Jalen Hurd, WR Josh Malone, DE Derek Barnett
The skinny: Tennessee’s talented No. 7 ranked 2014 recruiting class received a lot of playing time this season. Surprsingly, it wasn’t Jalen Hurd that had the best season, despite being the top-ranked recruit in the class. Instead, it was defensive end Derek Barnett, who was unstoppable along the defensive line.
If it wasn’t for Texas A&M’s Myles Garret, Barnett would have probably received more headlines, but the Tennessee freshman turned in an impressive 69 tackles, a team-high in 20.5 tackles for loss and 10.0 sacks.
Hurd didn’t have a bad season, either, winning the starting job just a few weeks into the season. He finished the year with 777 rushing yards and looks to be primed for a big sophomore season. Todd Kelly Jr. picked off three passes and became a reliable defensive back in a young, but dangerous Tennessee secondary.
Wide receivers Von Pearson and Josh Malone didn’t have quite the immediate impact Vols fans expected (Pearson missed two games due to injury), but both showed flashes of playmaking ability and figure to be a big part of the passing offense moving forward.
2. Texas A&M Aggies
Most notable: QB Kyle Allen, WR Speedy Noil, DE Myles Garrett
After a strong start to the season, the Aggies were up-and-down for the latter half of 2014. Still, the freshman class was a significant part in A&M’s success. Speedy Noil and Myles Garrett were instant impact players with Noil starting at both wide receiver and returner from day one.
Noil finished with 44 receptions, 559 receiving yards and five touchdowns, which led all SEC freshman from the 2014 recruiting class.
Garrett’s numbers speaks for themselves. He broke Jadeveon Clowney’s SEC freshman sack record with 11.0 sacks on the season and earned All-SEC honors. Outside of Missouri’s Shane Ray, there’s arguably not a better defensive lineman in the SEC this past year.
I haven’t even mentioned Kyle Allen or Armani Watts, both who were key starts at quarterback and safety. Allen took over Kenny Hill halfway through the season and led the Aggies to a huge upset win at Auburn with 297 passing yards and four touchdowns. Watts was a starter in the secondary and led the team with three interceptions.
1. Georgia Bulldogs
Most notable: RB Nick Chubb, RB Sony Michel, LB Lorenzo Carter, TE Jeb Blazevich
The skinny: No recruiting class had a more direct impact on their team’s success than the Georgia Bulldogs’ 2014 class.
Running back Nick Chubb is the obvious star out of the group and earned All-SEC honors as a freshman. When forced into the starting role after Todd Gurley’s suspension and subsequent injury, Chubb was outstanding and nearly finished the season as the SEC’s leading rusher, despite starting just half of the season. He’ll likely be a Heisman Trophy candidate in 2015.
Sony Michel showed great potential in the backup role, but unfortunately was limited by injury for several games. When he did play though, he was able to exert his will on most defenses, especially against Troy when he racked up 155 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Tight end Jeb Blazevich eventually became the starting tight end for UGA and ended up being named to the Freshman All-SEC team. He finished the year with 256 receiving yards and two touchdowns, good for third on the Bulldogs.
And five-star Lorenzo Carter came on strong at the end and looks to be another great pass rusher for Georgia’s defense and finished with 3.5 sacks. This should be a talented group of players for Georgia over the next few seasons.
Drew Laing will be providing analysis and insight on Florida, Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina.
