Nyck Harbor, Kadyn Proctor, and SEC Freshman Breakout Candidates for 2023

Fall camp is underway everywhere around college football, so
naturally that means players, old and new, get to show what
they can bring to the table. Let’s take a look at a freshman on each SEC team who can break out over the next few weeks and find a role on the field early.

Alabama

OL Kadyn Proctor, Southeast Polk, Des Moines, IA

The monster-sized 6’7 330 OT from Iowa is as good as it gets. The top-rated offensive linemen in the 2023 class was committed to the hometown Iowa Hawkeyes before flipping to Alabama the day before signing day. Look for him to start day one.

Southeast Polk lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) takes in the final seconds of the Class 5A playoff championships on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.

Auburn

RB Jeremiah Cobb, Montgomery Catholic Prep HS, Montgomery, AL

Cobb is a do-it-all back who ran for over 6,000 yards in his HS career,
including rushing over 2,000 yards just last season. Look for him to be a
major playmaker early and often for Hugh Freeze and the Tigers.

Montgomery Catholic athlete, and Auburn University signee, Jeremiah Cobb during college football signing day at the Catholic campus in Montgomery, Ala. on Wednesday February 1, 2023.

Arkansas

TE Luke Hasz, Bixby HS, Bixby, OK

Arkansas and tight ends go hand in hand, and I see no
difference here with Hasz. The Under Armour All-American is very
versatile and will feature in multiple roles for the Hogs.

Bixby’s Luke Hasz looks to get by Choctaw’s DeAundrey Green on Oct. 8.

Florida

ATH/WR Eugene Wilson III, Gaither HS, Tampa, FL

Speed is the name of the game with Wilson. While only standing at 5’10, 180, he sure makes up for it with his explosiveness. Given their underwhelming WR room, Florida
needs Wilson making plays on the field ASAP.

Florida Gators wide receiver Eugene Wilson III (21) makes a catch during fall football practice at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, August 5, 2023.

Georgia

WR Anthony Evans, Judson HS, Converse, TX

Evans is Another speedster who can take the top off any defense.
While not as highly ranked as the others, the Texas native has one of the
best chances to make an impact, given his explosive skill set.

Anthony Evans poses for a picture during his visit to the University of Georgia

Kentucky

LB Grant Godfrey, North Gwinnett HS, Suwannee, GA

The son of former Georgia standout Randal Godfrey, the younger Grant proves that football runs in the family. He’s a sideline to sideline player who
should be at least in the two-deep come week one.

Grant Godfrey poses for a picture during his visit to the University of Kentucky.

LSU

WR Jalen Brown, Gulliver Prep HS, Miami, FL

While LSU can and will poach the best out
of their own backyard in Louisiana, they went to South Florida for this future star.
Jalen Brown should fit in nicely at the slot with all of his explosiveness.

Gulliver High School Wide Receiver Jalen Brown (3) carries the football in the end zone.

Mississippi State

S/LB Isaac Smith, Itawamba Agricultural HS, Fulton, MS

A hard-hitting defender who can line at either Safety with
his athleticism or LB with his instincts and hitting
ability. Smith also won the Mississippi 4A Mr. Football award this past season. Wherever the Bulldogs need him most, he will be, and he will make plays.

Issac Smith poses for a picture during his visit to Mississippi State University.

Missouri

S Marvin Burks Jr, Cardinal Ritter College Prep HS, Saint Louis, MO

Burks is an all-around playmaker who was coveted by major brands in the SEC like LSU and Tennessee. After decommitting from Ole Miss, he ultimately decided to stay home, which looks to pay big
dividends for the Tigers. Given how bad their pass defense was last
season, he should be a major upgrade.

Marvin Burks Jr. stands in a practice for Cardinal Ritter College Prep.

Ole Miss

LB Suntarine Perkins, Raleigh HS, Raleigh, MS

This five-star linebacker was a historic recruiting win for the Rebels. He is normally a recruit who would leave the state, but Lane Kiffin did a great job keeping him home. Perkins has the talent to be Ole Miss‘ best defender by season’s end.

2023 four-star ATH Suntarine Perkins from Jackson, MS (Raleigh)

South Carolina

ATH Nyck Harbor, Archbishop Carroll, Washington, DC

Harbor is a can’t-miss hyper-athletic prospect out of the DMV who will be used as
much as possible for the Gamecocks. He’s a legit track star with the
frame of a bodybuilder, and he’ll excel as a matchup nightmare on the offensive side of the
ball. I expect him to be the #2 guy after Juice Wells.

Nov 12, 2022; Washington, DC, USA; Archbishop Carroll High School player Nyckoles Harbor (7) during the game as Archbishop Carroll High School defeated Bishop O’Connell High School 48-6 in WCAC Semi-Finals game at Bishop O’Connell High School.

Tennessee

LB Arion Carter, Smyrna HS, Smyrna, TN

This one came down to the very end on Signing Day between
the Vols and the Crimson Tide, but he ultimately chose Tennessee.
Saban almost pulled him away as he was a Bama lean for a
while, but staying home was too much to overcome. Already having an SEC-ready body, it shouldn’t be long before we start hearing the name Arion Carter on
Saturdays.

2023 LB Arion Carter, Smyrna High School, Smyrna, TN.

Texas A&M

RB Reuben Owens, El Campo HS, El Campo, TX

As the top running back recruit in all the land, this
was a great win for the Aggies. He was committed to Louisville for
some time, but he flipped to stay home and play tougher competition. Owens is as smooth
as they come with home run speed and should be firmly in the two-deep for this talented team.

Reuben Owens takes a picture before playing for the Louisiana Bootlegger’s 7on7 team.

Vanderbilt

RB Sedrick Alexander, LBJ HS, Austin, TX

The under-the-radar product from Austin, TX is a pure
running back. While not being the biggest, his vision and patience
make up for it. He’s also very versatile as he can block and make plays in the passing game with soft hands. If the spring game
was any indication of what’s to come this season, Vanderbilt should
be ecstatic for Alexander.