So we’ve been concentrating a lot on next year’s signing class. Hey, it’s something to do in the summertime. But what about this year’s class? Who’s got the best chance of playing as true freshmen?
Glad you asked. According to our poll, you think Trey Wilson does, followed by receiver Brady Brown, running backs Wesley Tate and Zac Stacy and cornerback Eric Samuels. There’s a big drop-off after that.
Keep in mind that only three true freshmen played last season (Casey Hayward, Sean Richardson and John Cole, with Cole redshirting after being injured in the first game), and none of them started.
Here’s a look at each true freshman, in the order of votes received in the Moral Victory! poll:
1. TREY WILSON
Position: Cornerback
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: 52% (No. 1)
Main competition for playing time: Junior Alan Strong and freshman Eric Samuels
Will play right away: If he shines on special teams
Could have a big impact in 2009: If sophomore corners Graham or Hayward struggle against SEC receivers
2. BRADY BROWN
Position: Wide receiver
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: 46% (No. 2)
Main competition for playing time: Sophomore Udoh Umoh and redshirt freshman Akeem Dunham
Will play right away: If he makes big catches in pre-season camp and clicks with quarterbacks Smith and Adams
Could have a big impact in 2009: If he’s the big target and sure-handed possession receiver that everybody believes he is
3. WESLEY TATE
Position: Running back
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: 45% (No. 3)
Main competition for playing time: Junior Kennard Reeves and fellow freshman Zac Stacy
Will play right away: If Jared Hawkins struggles with injury or Reeves fails to step up against SEC defenses
Could have a big impact in 2009: If he proves himself to be an every-down back in the SEC
4. ZAC STACY
Position: Running back
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: 43% (No. 4)
Main competition for playing time: Junior Kennard Reeves and fellow freshman Wesley Tate
Will play right away: If Reeves struggles early and if he’s better prepared than Tate to play right away
Could have a big impact in 2009: If he proves himself to be quicker hitting the holes than other backs on the team
5. ERIC SAMUELS
Position: Cornerback
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: 42% (No. 5)
Main competition for playing time: Junior Alan Strong and freshman Trey Wilson
Will play right away: If he shows the kind of athleticism that made him a sleeper pick as a high school senior
Could have a big impact in 2009: If Graham fails to adjust on defense or if Lewis or Hayward are injured.
6. WARREN NORMAN
Position: Running back
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: 19% (No. 6)
Main competition for playing time: Freshmen Wesley Tate and Zac Stacy and junior Gaston Miller
Will play right away: If he shows in the pre-season that he can do something better than any other back, such as catch passes out of the backfield, and if he dispels the view that he’s not physically ready for the SEC
Could have a big impact in 2009: If the upperclassmen struggle and if he shows an elusiveness that the other freshmen lack
7. JAVON MARSHALL
Position: Defensive back
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: 16% (No. 7)
Main competition for playing time: Redshirt freshmen Al Owens and Micah Powell and true freshman Jay Fullam
Will play right away: If Owens and Powell struggle and any of the regular safeties is injured.
Could have a big impact in 2009: Would be a role player at best.
8. MASON JOHNSON
Position: Tight end
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: 12% (No. 8)
Main competition for playing time: Junior Justin Green
Will play right away: If he shows himself to be a significantly better receiver and blocker, and more aggressive, than Green in preseason workouts
Could have a big impact in 2009: If he beats out Green early and then is forced into a bigger role because of injuries to Barden or Monahan
9. EDDIE FOSTER
Position: Cornerback
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: 10% (No. 9)
Main competition for playing time: Freshmen Samuels and Wilson
Will play right away: If he dispels the belief that he’s too light to play right away and that Samuels and Wilson are better prepared for SEC football
Could have a big impact in 2009: If put in a role, such as a returner, that highlights his 4.3 speed
10. COLLIN ASHLEY
Position: Wide receiver
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: N/A (signed late; not included in fan poll)
Main competition for playing time: Senior Alex Washington and junior Turner Wimberly
Will play right away: If Washington struggles with injury or can’t step up and if Wimberly doesn’t have what it takes to be an SEC receiver.
Could have a big impact in 2009: If John Cole, who looks like a clone, or another regular struggles with injury and Ashley is pressed into duty and shines
11. THAD MCHANEY
Position: Defensive end
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: 9% (No. 10)
Main competition for playing time: Five defensive ends with significant playing time, as well as three redshirt freshmen
Will play right away: If he’s physically ready and if he’s too good to keep off the field
Could have a big impact in 2009: This is unlikely. A redshirt year is the best bet.
12. CHARLIE GORO
Position: Quarterback
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: 5% (No. 11)
Main competition for playing time: Jared Funk
Will play right away: If the three quarterbacks ahead of him get injured. Highly unlikely.
Could have a big impact in 2009: If Larry Smith goes down and the other quarterbacks struggle, but this is highly unlikely.
13. JUSTIN CABBAGESTALK
Position: Offensive line
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: 5% (No. 11)
Main competition for playing time: Nine linemen with playing experience and four redshirt freshmen
Will play right away: Highly unlikely, and possible that he won’t be allowed to attend Vanderbilt
Could have a big impact in 2009: No chance.
14. MYLON BROWN
Position: Offensive line
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: 4% (No. 13)
Main competition for playing time: Nine linemen with playing experience and four redshirt freshmen
Will play right away: If he’s recovered from injury and has talent that can’t be kept off the field.
Could have a big impact in 2009: A redshirt year is a much better bet.
15. JAY FULLAM
Position: Safety
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: 4% (No. 13)
Main competition for playing time: Redshirt freshmen Owens and Powell and true freshman Marshall
Will play right away: If the other freshmen struggle and the secondary is hit hard with injuries.
Could have a big impact in 2009: Not likely
16. WESLEY JOHNSON
Position: Offensive line
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: 2% (No. 15)
Main competition for playing time: Won’t play. Will be too busy eating and lifting. This boy’s gonna be a force to be reckoned with in a year or two.
Will play right away: See above.
Could have a big impact in 2009: See above.
17. BLAKE SOUTHERLAND
Position: Linebacker
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: 2% (No. 15)
Main competition for playing time: With seven veterans returning and four talented redshirt freshmen chomping at the bit, playing this season won’t be an option.
Will play right away: See above.
Could have a big impact in 2009: See above.
18. WALKER MAY
Position: Defensive end
Fans who think he’ll play as true freshman: 0% (No. 16)
Main competition for playing time: Too much competition. He'll be with Wes Johnson in the dining room and weight room.
Will play right away: See above.
Could have a big impact in 2009: See above.
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