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Potential Breakout Freshman Spring Edition: SEC
© Clayton Freeman/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK

Potential Breakout Freshman Spring Edition: SEC

Originally posted on Mike Farrell Sports  |  By JC Nevils  |  Last updated Apr 3, 2025 5:56 PM ET

By JC Nevils

As the weather transitions to warmth again, along comes spring football. Everyone now gets a glance at their favorite team’s roster and potential to win games. That also comes with early enrollees, whom can make plays themselves. Here I name my top freshman from the SEC who will make their names known coming out of spring ball.

1. Jaime Ffrench - WR, Texas

Texas lost their starting quarterback in Quinn Ewers as well as their top two players at the wide receiver position this offseason in Mathew Golden and Isaiah Bond to the NFL. Where does that leave the Longhorns? Well, they have Arch Manning ready to step in as the signal-caller along with Ryan Wingo as the top option outside. That’s where Jaime Ffrench comes in. I believe the prospect out of Florida can come right in and be the next guy up. He is uber-talented with his speed and playmaking ability. It will only be a matter of time.

2. Ethan Barbour - TE, Georgia

Over the past few years the Bulldogs have been known to recruit and churn out some nation's best tight ends. Brock Bowers  may be one of the best college football has ever seen. The man in the room at the moment is Oscar Delp , who can make some plays himself. Freshman Ethan Barbour can potentially carve out a role, too. He has good size to go along with athleticism and peak ball skills. He is very smooth with his route running as well, which creates mismatches at the second level.

3. Akylin Dear - RB, Alabama

The Crimson Tide hasn’t had a real feature back for the last couple of seasons, which is odd to say the least. The backfield has operated by committee for the most part, but Akylin Dear can change that. The Mississippi native can do it all at the running back position. What sticks out most is his vision and burst, but he also has the speed to run away in the open field. If he does what he is capable of, I certainly see him at least in the two-deep.

Quitman running back Akylin Dear, photographed in Ridgeland, Miss., Aug. 10, 2024, is a member of the 2024 Clarion Ledger Dandy Dozen.© Barbara Gauntt/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK

4. Vernell Brown III - WR, Florida

Game breaker. When you can describe a player in one or two words then you know you have something special. The son of former Gator Vernel Brown can change the game in an instant. While not the biggest, it doesn’t really matter with the skillset he has. He has blazing quickness and speed that allows him to get open, and it’s off to the races after that. With Eugene Wilson III emerging as the top target, Vernell can be the next go-to guy for star quarterback DJ Lagway .

5. Jaedon Harmon - LB, Tennessee

The linebacker room for the Volunteers will look a little different this year after some attrition caused by graduation along with the transfer portal. Although there is still talent there led by Arion Carter , it will be a very young room, especially with adding three highly touted freshmen. Out of those three freshman, though, I believe one stands out above the rest. That would be Jaedon Harmon out of Rome, GA. He has prototypical size along with the skillset to succeed at both middle and outside linebacker, but I think he could thrive on the outside beside Carter. He is a missile coming downhill, but also has the IQ to read and react in coverage. He also can be a special teams star on every unit. Vol nation should be excited.

This article first appeared on Mike Farrell Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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