20 SEC freshmen positioned to be factors in 2023

Every year with true freshmen, there are highly-rated players who step in and make an instant impact as well as lower-rated recruits who exceed expectations and end up being immediate factors.

It will be no different this year.

On3 is taking a conference-by-conference look at true freshmen set to make noteworthy contributions this season. We’ve already identified some from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and Pac-12. Today, we shift to the SEC.

Based on intel from team sources, here are 20 SEC true freshmen in position to be factors in 2023 (listed alphabetically).

Texas A&M OL Chase Bisontis

Where he ranked in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star, No. 2 interior offensive lineman, No. 46 overall prospect

It’s never a bad thing when your head coach says you’re doing “awesome.”

That was the case for Bisontis during the spring.

Left tackle Trey Zuhn missing spring practice led to Reuben Fatheree spending the spring at left tackle and Bisontis getting an opportunity as the first-team right tackle.

Bisontis took advantage and appears to be in line to contribute, and maybe even start, for A&M as a freshman.

“Physical, tough and smart,” a source said. “Plays the game the right way and has the mentality you want in every offensive linemen.”

Kentucky WR Anthony Brown

Where he ranked in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking: Three-star, No. 63 wide receiver, No. 434 overall prospect

Brown is more than just the nephew of Grammy Award winner John Legend.

After posting 1,626 receiving yards, 20 touchdown catches and an average of 19.6 yards per catch as a high school senior, the Ohio native got off to a good start at Kentucky this spring.

While on the smaller side, the 5-foot-10, 168-pound Brown has stood out with “his stop-and-start ability, being good with the ball in his hands and being a film rat.”

Florida DL Kelby Collins

Where he ranked in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star, No. 6 defensive lineman, No. 45 overall prospect

Florida anticipates Collins helping as a pass rusher at the very least as a first-year player.

Collins, who was the highest-ranked player in the Gators’ 2023 class, posted five tackles in Florida’s spring game.

“He’s a football player,” Florida EDGE coach Mike Peterson said of Collins during the spring. “He’s an aggressive guy. He don’t say too much. But lately he’s been kind of speaking up. Two, three years from now you’re looking at probably one of the team captains.”

Alabama DB Caleb Downs

Where he ranked in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking: Five-star, No. 1 safety, No. 5 overall prospect

Downs may be Alabama’s next great defensive back.

Like previous stars such as Minkah Fitzpatrick, Downs is poised to start and be an impact player as a freshman.

Working with the Crimson Tide first-team defense, Downs tallied eight tackles, a tackle for loss and an interception in Alabama’s spring game.

The Tide views him as being capable of playing both safety and its Star position.

“He’s got lots of maturity for a young guy,” Alabama head coach Nick Saban said during the spring. “Smart. Understands football. Really conscientious about making sure he knows what to do and going out on the field and doing it.”

Auburn DL Keldric Faulk

Where he ranked in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star, No. 10 defensive lineman, No. 64 overall prospect

Faulk was the biggest win for Hugh Freeze in his first Auburn recruiting class, flipping to the Tigers from Florida State.

Faulk seems to be the Auburn freshman most likely to make a noteworthy contribution this season.

Offensive lineman Connor Lew and defensive back Kayin Lee were two other freshman standouts for the Tigers this spring, although those two appear less likely to have a significant role in Year 1.

“I love Keldric,” Freeze said during the spring. “I love his attitude. I love the way he comes to work. … He and Connor Lew and Kayin Lee really stood out as three freshmen that we think in the ’23 class we’ll look back on and say, ‘Man, we got us three really good ones.’ Number one, (Faulk) is a great human being. He doesn’t know anything yet about the college game and all that. He’s raw in some ways. But he’s very talented, and I love the way he went about his business the whole spring.”

Georgia DL Jordan Hall

Where he ranked in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking: Five-star, No. 4 defensive lineman, No. 25 overall prospect

Hall will end up garnering attention for far more than just his thoughts on Florida, likely starting in the next few months.

Hall is expected to see playing time along Georgia’s defensive line. Bear Alexander leaving the Bulldogs for USC created even more of an opportunity for Hall.

Hall posted a tackle and two pass breakups in Georgia’s spring game.

“He can do a lot because he’s athletic and big,” a source said. “Also has some pass rush ability, so he’s a three-down d-lineman.”

South Carolina WR Nyckoles Harbor

Where he ranked in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking: Five-star, No. 1 athlete, No. 21 overall prospect

Harbor is raw as a wide receiver (and had just 31 total catches his final two high school seasons), but there aren’t many humans capable of posting times of 6.64 in the 60-meter dash, 10.22 in the 100 or 20.63 in the 200.

Especially ones who are 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds.

“Elite speed and size matchup problem who should be able to make defenses respect his home run ability,” a source said. “Could be explosive on special teams.”

Arkansas TE Luke Hasz

Where he ranked in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star, No. 12 tight end, No. 213 overall prospect

Hasz has a good shot at being a starter and part of Arkansas’ offensive game-plan.

Hasz had an 8-yard touchdown catch in the Razorbacks’ spring game.

“Really good football player,” Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman said in late March. “A guy that’s catching the ball extremely well. Can run. Can get open. That’s probably the guy of the (freshmen) that has stood out the most.”

Hasz’ twin brother, Dylan, is an Arkansas freshman defensive back.

Alabama RB Justice Haynes

Where he ranked in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star, No. 2 running back, No. 33 overall prospect

Like Downs, Haynes was one of the stars of the spring for Alabama.

He capped it off with three touchdowns in the Crimson Tide’s spring game.

Even with Alabama being deep at running back, Haynes is in line to be a factor within the Tide running game this season.

“He’s a really good player,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said during the spring. “He’s a really mature guy. He’s really smart. Nothing’s really too big for him. If you were just a guy sitting on a log watching, you would never know he was a freshman. He’s a very talented guy. He can make cuts. He can make you miss. He’s got some power. He’s got good speed. He’s a good receiver. He’s done a really, really good job all spring.”

Texas A&M DL DJ Hicks

Where he ranked in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking: Five-star, No. 1 defensive lineman, No. 7 overall prospect

Texas A&M feels great about its defensive line group. Having some high-end young talents like Hicks is part of the reason for that.

The Texas native posted 45 tackles for loss his final two high school seasons.

“Big, strong and physical,” a source said. “Good bend and explosiveness, too. Think he’ll be good.”

South Carolina LB Grayson Howard

Where he ranked in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star, No. 20 linebacker, No. 186 overall prospect

Of South Carolina’s seven highest ranked true freshmen, four are front seven players on defense.

Of those four, the 6-foot-4, 242-pound Howard seems to have the best chance to make a noteworthy contribution as a first-year player.

He’s expected to see the field early on defense and also contribute on special teams.

The Florida native accumulated 188 tackles in 11 games as a high school senior and led his team to its first district title since 2009.

“Elite size and explosive tackler,” a source said.

Four-star EDGE Desmond Umeozulu is another Gamecocks freshman in the front seven who could contribute this year.

The 6-foot-6, 240-pound Umeozulu needs to add bulk in order to be ready for every-down duty in the SEC but has “elite length and burst off the ball” and the the tools to immediately make an impact as a third down pass rusher.

LSU DE Jaxon Howard

Where he ranked in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star, No. 16 EDGE, No. 120 overall prospect

Howard is one of a couple freshman EDGE players for LSU with a shot at contributing this season.

You’ll see the other one shortly.

As for Howard, he’s impressed with his work ethic, approach and intelligence.

He had four tackles and a sack in the Tigers’ spring game.

“You could see his progress and his grit kind of grow throughout the spring to the point where we were like, that was a really good spring for him,” LSU head coach Brian Kelly said during the spring.

Howard’s father, Willie, was an all-conference defensive lineman at Stanford and a 2001 second-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings.

Missouri TE Brett Norfleet

Where he ranked in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star, No. 15 tight end, No. 252 overall prospect

The addition of Norfleet has upgraded Missouri’s talent level at tight end.

With his size (6-foot-7, 220 pounds) and ability to catch the ball, the Tigers are hoping for continued progress from him and to have him as a contributor this season.

Texas A&M RB Rueben Owens

Where he ranked in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star, No. 3 running back, No. 36 overall prospect

Owens is part of the group, along with others like junior Amari Daniels and sophomore Le’Veon Moss, that Texas A&M is depending on to help replace Miami Dolphins third-round pick Devon Achane.

The Texas native finished high school with more than 7,000 career rushing yards and more than 100 career rushing touchdowns.

“Shifty downhill runner,” a source said of Owens. “Explosive. Great vision. Think he has a high ceiling.”

Owens led his team with 48 rushing yards on nine carries during A&M’s spring game.

“What I love about Rueben is, one, he is very gifted,” Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher said during the spring. “But two, he has a great attitude and understands how to work.” 

Ole Miss LB Suntarine Perkins

Where he ranked in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking: Five-star, No. 1 linebacker, No. 14 overall prospect

Perkins became the highest-ranked recruit to sign with Ole Miss since QB Shea Patterson and offensive lineman Greg Little in 2016.

He’s been described to On3 as a “freak athlete and instinctual football player” who is also “very versatile.”

During his team’s state championship game last year, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Mississippi native ran for 331 yards and four touchdowns on offense and added six tackles and an interception on defense.

Alabama OL Kadyn Proctor

Where he ranked in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking: Five-star, No. 1 offensive lineman, No. 9 overall prospect

Proctor saw time at both tackle and guard for Alabama during the spring and ended spring ball working with the Tide’s second-team offense at left tackle during the Alabama spring game.

It’s possible could end up starting at some point this season. Either way, the 6-foot-7, 330-pound Iowa native is set to contribute.

“He kind of already came in as a refined prospect and has already obviously got college size,” a source said. “He’s a good player.”

Mississippi State WR Creed Whittemore

Where he ranked in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star, No. 45 wide receiver, No. 304 overall prospect

Whittemore is the latest member of his family to play wide receiver at the college level.

His father played at UCF. His brother, Luke, plays at Troy. Another brother, Trent, was a receiver at Florida and had 33 career catches for the Gators.

As for Creed, he’s making the transition to receiver after playing QB in high school. He’s off to a good start.

He’s been described to On3 as a “savvy route runner who, being a former QB, just has a knack for finding soft spots in coverage.”

Whittemore, a Florida native who was at one point committed to the Gators, accounted for 52 total touchdowns at QB and also recorded four interceptions on defense as a high school senior.

Ole Miss WR Ayden Williams

Where he ranked in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star, No. 16 wide receiver, No. 82 overall prospect

Williams was the second-highest ranked recruit in Ole Miss’ 2023 class behind Perkins.

With the Rebels losing their top two wide receivers from last year, Jonathan Mingo and Malik Heath, there will be some new players as top options for Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart.

Transfers Tre Harris and Zakhari Franklin will likely be among them. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Williams could end up helping, too.

“Great movement skills, body control and ball skills,” a source said.

Florida WR Eugene Wilson

Where he ranked in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star, No. 20 wide receiver, No. 106 overall prospect

Of the three four-star wide receivers to sign with Florida this past recruiting cycle, Wilson seems to be the most ready to make a noteworthy contribution.

Wilson is viewed as a fit for the slot. He could also be an option as a returner.

On3 ranked him as a five-star prospect and as the fourth-best wide receiver in the 2023 class.

LSU DE Da’Shawn Womack

Where he ranked in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star, No. 5 EDGE, No. 42 overall prospect

Here’s the other LSU freshman EDGE with a chance to be a factor this season.

Although Womack was limited during the spring while working back from shoulder surgery, On3 ranked Womack as a five-star player and the No. 12 overall player in the 2023 recruiting class.

“I think he has some flexibility as a guy that can play the big end position, but we haven’t ruled out how we play him,” Kelly said during the spring. “Is he a stand-up two-point player in a manner that he’s 100 percent of the time a Jack linebacker? No, probably not. That doesn’t mean that we can’t be in four down and he can’t stand up and drop back in a limited fashion to change the looks up because he is so athletic.

“His athletic ability still lends itself to having some of the traits necessary to put him in a hybrid position.”