Signing courses are hyped each February as the way forward for every SEC program, however what number of of these courses made an influence in 12 months 1?
Let’s run by every SEC group’s 2024 recruiting haul to see how every carried out of their debut. There have been some huge hits, just a few underwhelming efforts and fairly just a few influence gamers who’ve already transferred.
Every faculty may also obtain a grade for its freshman class to date, although do not count on many (if any) failing grades. These 2024 courses nonetheless have years to play out.
Grade: A+
Hits: Cam Coleman (WR), Demarcus Riddick (Edge), Malcolm Simmons (WR), Kaleb Harris (S), Malik Blocton (DT), Jay Crawford (CB)
Nice Begin: Amaris Williams (Edge), Kensley Louidor-Faustin (CB)
Watch For In 2025: Perry Thompson (WR)
Already Transferred: Walker White (QB), T.J. Lindsey (Edge)
No freshman class within the nation produced higher than Auburn’s. Regardless of coping with an harm and up-and-down quarterback play, Coleman seemed each bit a 5 star with 37 catches for 598 yards. Simmons, merely a top-150 recruit, chipped in 40 catches for 451 yards. Harris and Crawford have been each True Freshman All-American degree gamers (Crawford was immediately among the finest corners within the SEC). Riddick and Blocton each performed heavy and efficient snaps of their debuts.
There have been few, if any, misses for Auburn within the 2024 cycle. It is precisely the kind of class Hugh Freeze wanted.
Grade: A
Hits: DJ Lagway (QB), Jadan Baugh (RB)
Nice Begin: LJ McCray (DL, Myles Graham (LB), Aaron Chiles (LB), Michai Boireau (DT), Tank Hawkins (WR), D’Antre Robinson (DT), Gregory Smith (S)
Look ahead to in 2025: Jason Zandamela (OL), Roderick Kearney (OL)
Florida discovered its program future in Lagway, who completed with 1,915 yards passing and 12 touchdowns. He is the kind of expertise who could be the most effective general participant in school soccer.
Baugh ran for 673 yards and 7 touchdowns on 5.1 yards per carry. He is a giant again who pressured 55 missed tackles on simply 133 makes an attempt.
The Gators appeared to hit throughout the board within the 2024 class. Both Graham or Chiles initiatives to start out subsequent season. Identical with Robinson at DT and presumably McCray — a former five-star recruit — someplace alongside the line of defense. If Florida manages to discover a approach again below Billy Napier, it will be due to its 2024 class.
Grade: A
Hits: Ryan Williams (WR), Zabien Brown (CB)
Nice Begin: Jaylen Mbakwe (CB), Zavier Mincey (S), Crimson Morgan (DB)
Look ahead to in 2025: Jeremiah Beaman (DT)
Already Transferred: Julian Sayin (QB)*, Caleb Odom (WR), Jayshawn Ross (Edge), Amari Jefferson (WR), Sterling Dixon (Edge)
*Transferred simply after the 2024 early signing interval following Nick Saban’s retirement
Alabama’s freshman class performed a giant function in 2024. Ryan Williams emerged as a 17-year-old famous person, reeling in a group excessive 865 yards and eight touchdowns. Alabama’s secondary leaned on the 2024 class. Brown was a Day 1 starter for the Tide, ending his debut with 18 tackles and a trio of interceptions. Mbakwe, Mincey and Morgan have been all requested to play 100-plus snaps as true freshmen with Mbakwe flashing particularly.
The Tide suffered heavy losses within the portal, however if you land among the finest general gamers in school soccer (Williams) and several other different starting-caliber gamers, it is a profitable class.
Grade: A
Hits: Dylan Stewart (Edge), Josiah Thompson (OT), Mazeo Bennett (WR)
Nice Begin: Michael Smith (TE)
Look ahead to in 2025: Fred Johnson (LB)
Already Transferred: Debron Gatling (WR)
Stewart was immediately among the finest edge rushers within the nation. He completed the 2024 season with 23 tackles, 11 TFLs and 6.5 sacks. However he wasn’t the one Gamecock freshman to play a giant function. Thompson began each recreation at left sort out. Whereas it was an up-and-down season for the previous high 40 prospect, he appears like a constructing block for South Carolina transferring ahead. You might say the identical of Bennett, who completed his debut season with 30 catches to guide all receivers on the roster.
Smith is in place to probably change outgoing tight finish starter Joshua Simon, who led the group in catches this previous season. Johnson, for his half, performed fairly a bit as a real freshman. He appears like a possible starter with a number of outgoing expertise at linebacker.
Grade: A
Hits: Colin Simmons (Edge), Ryan Wingo (WR)
Nice Begin: Kobe Black (CB), Ty’Anthony Smith (LB), Alex January (DL), Jerrick Gibson (RB)
Watch For in 2025: Jordan Washington (TE), Brandon Baker (OT)
Simmons is already a star after posting 9 sacks as a real freshman, essentially the most by a Texas defender since 2018. Wingo, who totaled 572 yards on almost 17 yards per contact, appears to be a future No. 1 large receiver.
As for gamers you need to regulate come 2025, Black and Smith will probably be within the combine for beginning roles. Washington and Baker may also struggle for beginning spots after enjoying sparingly as true freshmen.
It bodes nicely for Texas’ 2024 class long run that so many gamers contributed throughout a run to the playoffs for an already deep roster.
Grade: A
Hits: KJ Bolden (S), Nate Frazier (RB)
Nice Begin: Chris Cole (LB)
Look ahead to in 2025: Daniel Calhoun (OT), Joseph Jonah-Ajonye (DL), Ellis Robinson (CB)
Bolden earned 247Sports True Freshman honors throughout a season by which he totaled 59 tackles and an INT as a pseudo starter. Frazier emerged as Georgia’s high again in his debut, operating for 671 yards on 5 yards per carry.
Cole, Calhoun, Robinson and Jonah-Ajonye ought to all be within the combine for beginning roles in 2025. Robinson, the highest cornerback within the 2024 class, enters his sophomore season with sizeable expectations.
Grade: B+
Hits: Jayden Jackson (DL), Eli Bowen (CB)
Nice Begin: Taylor Tatum (RB), Zion Kearney (WR), Ivan Carreon (WR), Zion Ragins (WR), Michael Hawkins (QB), Xavier Robinson (RB)
Look ahead to in 2025: David Stone (DT)
Already Transferred: Eugene Brooks (OL), Brendan Zurbrugg (QB),
The Sooners landed a pair of gamers on the 247Sports True Freshman All-American Group in Jackson and Bowen. Jackson earned a beginning function from the bounce, ending with 28 tackles, three TFLs and two sacks. He performed the fourth-most snaps of any true freshman DT this season. Bowen ended the yr as Oklahoma’s high cornerback, holding opposing passers to a 55.3 CMP%.
Oklahoma ended up enjoying a number of freshmen on offense this season due to accidents at operating again and large receiver. Anticipate a number of these 2024 contributors to see their roles lower with higher well being, although gamers like Kearney, Tatum and Robinson mission as key two-deep contributors.
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Grade: B+
Hits: Caden Durham (RB), Davhon Keys (LB), Ahmad Breaux (DT)
Nice Begin: Dominick McKinley (DT), Trey’Dez Inexperienced (TE), Dashawn Spears (S), Gabriel Reliford (Edge), PJ Woodland (CB), Shone Washington (DT)
Look ahead to in 2025: Weston Davis (OL)
Already Transferred: Xavier Atkins (LB), Bernard Causey (CB)
LSU performed a number of freshmen in 2024, notably on protection, the place first-year coordinator Blake Baker combined and matched to discover a mixture that labored. Keys (31 tackles, 2 TFLs) and Breaux (17 tackles, 2 TFLs) each performed nicely in prolonged snaps. Anticipate each to be starters come 2025.
Durham was clearly LSU’s greatest again. He ran for 753 yards and 6 touchdowns on 5.4 yards per carry.
It is easy to examine five-plus members of LSU 2024 class beginning come 2025. That group is the inspiration of Brian Kelly’s program transferring ahead.
Grade: (B)
Nice Begin: William Echoles (DT), Kam Franklin (Edge)
Look ahead to in 2025: TJ Banks (CB)
Already Transferred: Noreel White (WR), Kavion Broussard (OT)
The Rebels returned extra manufacturing than virtually any group within the SEC. However that did not cease their high two signees from cracking the D-line rotation. Echoles noticed defensive snaps in eight video games, ending the yr with a 76.4 PFF grade and a pair of TFLs. He appears like a future star. Franklin created loads of stress in restricted alternatives. He performed simply 109 snaps however completed the yr with 5 TFLs and a pair of.5 sacks.
Ole Miss, like at all times, will probably be reliant on its switch class. However Banks is a participant from the 2024 class to observe in 2025 with Ole Miss shedding each its beginning cornerbacks from this previous season.
Grade: B
Hits: Glenn Seabrooks (DT), Jaylin Lackey (CB)
Nice Begin: Dontae Carter (S)
Look ahead to in 2025: Boski Barrett (WR)
Already Transferred: Alvin Williamson (CB), Callahan Blair (Edge)
Lackey ended up beginning 5 video games for Vanderbilt as a real freshman. Whereas he had his up-and-down moments, he nonetheless initiatives as a starter heading into subsequent season. Seabrooks had among the finest debuts of any true freshman DT, posting a 70 PFF grade in 263 snaps. Carter had starter hype heading into final season however settled right into a rotational function. He is considered as a possible starter heading into 2025.
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Grade: C+
Hits: Boo Carter (DB)
Nice Begin: Mike Matthews (WR)
Watch For In 2025: Peyton Lewis (RB), Braylon Staley (WR), Amari Jefferson (WR), Williams Satterwhite (OL), Jessee Perry (OT), Benett Warren (OT)
A much-hyped freshman all through the 2024 offseason, Carter largely lived as much as expectations as a part-time starter. He completed the yr with 38 tackles, 3 TFLs and an interception. Matthews flirted with the switch portal this offseason however opted to remain. That is huge for the Vols as Matthews, who had seven catches for 90 yards this previous season, is considered as the way forward for the large receiver room.
Given Tennessee’s sweeping losses throughout its offensive line, large receiver and operating again rooms, a number of second-year gamers are anticipated to compete for beginning spots in 2025.
Grade: C
Hits: Terry Bussey (WR)
Look ahead to in 2025: Solomon Williams (Edge), Blake Ivy (OL), Ashton Funk (OL)
Texas A&M signed a small transition class below Mike Elko and few of this system’s 2024 signees contributed. Bussey, nevertheless, was a giant exception. The No. 1 athlete within the 2024 cycle, Bussey started his Aggie profession as a large receiver. He wasn’t fairly a starter by season’s finish, however he performed 20-plus snaps in three of Texas A&M’s closing 4 video games. Even with all of Texas A&M’s switch provides at large receiver, Bussey appears like a 2025 starter and a possible star. He is somebody the Aggies can construct round.
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Grade: C
Nice Begin: Braylen Russell (RB), Kobe Branham (OT)
Look ahead to in 2025: CJ Brown (WR), Bradley Shaw (LB), Selman Bridges (CB), Charlie Collins (Edge)
Already Transferred: Tevis Metcalf (S)
Arkansas needed to struggle to maintain a few of their high signees from the 2024 class with Russell on the high of that group. The Razorbacks’ projected starter in 2025, he entered the portal twice however ultimately opted to stick with Arkansas following a debut that noticed him run for 354 yards and three touchdowns. Bridges, the Razorbacks’ second-ranked recruit within the 2024 class, additionally entered the portal however determined to return.
Branham began within the Texas Bowl and is anticipated to compete for a beginning function subsequent season. Brown and Shaw ought to, at worst, be a part of the Razorbacks’ two deep after promising freshman campaigns.
As for a possible breakout who did not do a lot his first yr, look out for Collins. He was a top-100 recruit within the 2024 class, and Arkansas would love for him to emerge as a daily contributor subsequent season.
Grade: C
Nice Begin: Terhyon Nichols (CB), Cutter Boley (QB), Willie Rodriguez (TE)
Look ahead to in 2025: Jerod Smith (DE)
Already Transferred: Hardley Gilmore (WR), Caleb Redd (Edge)
Few Wildcats performed significant snaps as true freshmen, however Nichols carried out nicely in 195 alternatives, together with a begin towards Tennessee. Opposing quarterbacks accomplished simply 52.9% of their passes towards him. Boley performed a bit greater than Kentucky would have appreciated as a real freshman, however there’s some optimism about his future throughout the program. Rodriguez will probably be in rivalry to start out in 2024. The Wildcats hope Smith — their top-rated signee from the 2024 class — is able to play in yr two.
It is value noting that maybe essentially the most promising member of Kentucky’s 2024 class, Gilmore (153 yards, 1 TD), transferred to Nebraska. He was considered as the way forward for the large receiver room.
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Grade: D
Nice Begin: Kai McClendon (DT)
Look ahead to in 2025: Jimothy Lewis (OT)
Already Transferred: Mario Craver (WR), JJ Harrell (WR), Michael Van Buren (QB)
The excellent news: Mississippi State had a number of notable hits from the 2024 class in Craver and Van Burren.
The unhealthy information: Each of these gamers – Craver (Texas A&M), Van Burren (LSU) – now play for an additional group within the SEC.
McClendon was the one actual vibrant spot from the 2024 class who stays on the roster. He even began a handful of video games down the stretch, wanting like a multi-year starter within the SEC.
It is onerous to say many different 2024 gamers will contribute subsequent season after the Bulldogs introduced in a 20-player switch class however Lewis is anticipated to no less than issue into the 2 deep.
Grade: D-
Nice Begin: Nicholas Rodriguez (LB)
Look ahead to in 2025: James Madison (WR), Trajen Greco (S)
Already Transferred: Williams Nwaneri (Edge), Courtney Crutchfield (WR), Jaren Sensabaugh (CB), Kewan Lacy (RB), Aidan Glover, Will Safris (P)
Missouri did not have any true freshman emerge as starters in 2024, however Rodriguez performed essentially the most — showing in 9 video games. He’ll have an opportunity to interrupt into the 2 deep in 2024. Madison and Greco are in the identical scenario after enjoying sparingly of their debuts. The Tigers are changing all three beginning large receivers, so there are many snaps up for grabs. Greco, in the meantime, will probably be within the combine to interrupt into Missouri’s security rotation.
Of notice: Missouri misplaced its high two signees (Nwaneri and Crutchfield) together with 5 of its high 10 signees from the 2024 class to the switch portal.