Which freshmen will take SEC by storm in 2016: SEC East
The 2016 recruiting cycle was kind to the SEC.
The conference was injected with a wealth of high-level talent. In today's college football climate, true freshmen are more ready than to come in and produce. Much of this has to do with the intricate, specialized training wokayithin the high school ranks.
As such, the transition between the levels continues to get shrink. Every single SEC program has at least one player with the potential to impact its respective squad in 2016. This piece will identify one player per team from this class with the ability to do that.
Although the following players hailing from the SEC East might not be the most talented member from the '16 group, depth concerns and overall fit will warrant their selections and denotations.
Tennessee: Nigel Warrior
The son of former NFL player (and UT alum) Dale Carter, Warrior is primed to instantly impact Tennessee's secondary. The Suwanee, Ga., native is walking into a nice situation. Both starting safeties from a year ago (Brian Randolph, LaDarrell McNeil) have exited.
With a depth chart virtually wide-open at safety, there figures to be a fierce competition for the starting spots between Warrior, Evan Berry, and Todd Kelly. Warrior's pedigree, instinctual prowess, and athleticism makes him a good bet to see extensive time as a true freshman.
Missouri: Damarea Crockett
Missouri's offense -- or lack thereof -- directly contributed to its 5-7 record in 2015. The Tigers ranked No. 124 nationally in total offense. Inconsistency and injuries led to a stunted rushing attack. Tigers' running backs rushed to the tune of a paltry 3.5 yards-per-carry average. In fact, Ish Witter led the team with only 518 yards rushing.
Mizzou is in need of a much-needed boost within its running back corps, and may be in line to receive it from Damarea Crockett. An Arkansas native, he was committed to Boise State before flipping his pledge late in the process.
The Rivals.com 4-star back is one of the highest-rated players within the class -- and for good reason. Crockett is a punishing runner, seeking contact and running with a reckless downhill abandon. Mizzou's current stable of skill players are generally smaller in nature. Crockett not only represents "the big back" in this equation, but he possesses the talent to (at the very least) give Missouri a quality option in '16.
South Carolina: Bryan Edwards
Four of South Carolina's top five receivers from a year ago are gone -- including All-Conference performer Pharoh Cooper. In fact, Cooper and tight end Jerell Adams combined for nearly 50-percent (49.2) of the total number of receptions in 2015.
It's not a complete surprise Will Muschamp and the Gamecocks heavily targeted pass-catching options. Of the bunch signed (which includes Korey Banks, Diondre Champaigne, Chavis Dawkins, Randrecous Davis, Chris Smith), Edwards appears to be the one ready to step in and produce.
Edwards is far from a finished product. He needs to become a bit more polished in regards to his route-running technique. Edwards could also stand to get a bit bigger and stronger to better withstand the physical rigors of the college game.
With that said, his physical tools are undeniable. Edwards is a virtual pogo-stick in jump-ball situations, and possesses good top-end speed to go along with a considerable wingspan.
At his 6-foot-3, Edwards may turn into a dynamic red-zone target.
Vanderbilt: Joejuan Williams
It's rare to see Vanderbilt beat out some of the heavy-hitters for an elite prospect, but it did that with the signing of stud athlete Joejuan Williams. A safety from nearby Hendersonville, Williams opted for Vandy over the likes of Tennessee, Alabama, Auburn, LSU, and Ole Miss, among others.
Williams is a rangy player with terrific athleticism. At 6-foot-3, he can cover smaller players in space, and taller athletes running down the field. Not only that, but he plays with an edge on the field. His skill-set enables Williams to play close to the line of scrimmage -- acting as a de facto outside linebacker in certain sets.
This sort of positional versatility will give head coach Derek Mason plenty of options in terms of how to utilize Williams' talents.
Florida: Tyrie Cleveland
Jim McElwain and the Gators got a terrific gift on signing day -- as the Texas native signed with the program.
There's a lot to like about the exceptionally talented receiver. Cleveland is a long, angular pass-catcher. He's smooth as a route-runner, and has good hands. Above all else, Cleveland has legitimate deep-field speed. While Cleveland can play at virtually any receiver spot on the field, he may be best served as an outside threat.
Florida is in need of an option to pair with rising star Antonio Callaway. With Callaway's emergence as a true freshman in 2015, the opposition will likely try and bracket Callaway with multiple defenders. This could leave Cleveland in potentially tasty one-on-one matchups on the perimeter.
Georgia: Jacob Eason
Universally regarded as the nation's top quarterback, the Washington native is a potentially cornerstone prospect for the Georgia program.
After flirting with Florida, Eason decided to stick to his initial pledge and sign with Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs. He's an early enrollee -- which will only aid in his transition to the college game. At 6-foot-5, he's a strong, big-armed signal-caller with the ability to make throws to all spots on the field.
Greyson Lambert may be the initial starter at the position, but it'd be difficult to keep Eason completely off of the field. He's far too talented to languish on the bench. Ultimately, Eason may give Georgia its best shot at winning the SEC East.
Kentucky: Landon Young
One of the best prospects to come out of the "Bluegrass State" in recent memory, Young is an ideal tackle prospect.
He's got a tall frame with room to get bigger and stronger. Young also has the lateral agility to take on quick edge-rushers -- whilst also possessing a nasty disposition when it comes to run blocking.
While Kentucky returns the vast majority of its starting offensive line group from a year ago, left tackle Jordan Swindle has exhausted his eligibility. It would be a lot to ask of a true freshman to protect quarterback Drew Barker's blind side, but Young may ultimately be Kentucky's best option going forward.