8 true freshmen to know in the SEC for 2026 ...Middle East

Fall camp will get underway at all 16 SEC campuses in the coming days with Week 1 of the season just over a month away.

Fall camp brings excitement and promise for every team, particularly when it comes to true freshmen. This story will seek to identify 8 SEC true freshmen who fans should be aware of as the offseason draws to a close.

SEC football best true freshmen

One note: All recruiting rankings referenced below are 247Sports Composite rankings.

In no particular order, here are 8 true freshmen to watch out for in the SEC this fall: 

Tennessee QB Faizon Brandon

Ranking: No. 10

Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon has a chance to start Week 1 for the Volunteers as they try to replace Joey Aguilar. Regardless of whether or not Brandon beats out George MacIntrye for the job, he’s viewed as the long-term answer at quarterback in Knoxville. Listed at 6-foot-4, Brandon is a former 5-star quarterback who is a threat with both his legs and his right arm and should be a great fit in the Josh Heupel system. 

LSU DL Lamar Brown

Ranking: No. 3

When Lane Kiffin first arrived in Baton Rouge, 5-star DL Lamar Brown was among the first recruits he met with. Brown could play on either side of the ball in college, but it seems he’ll begin his collegiate career as a defensive lineman. Brown has the size and athleticism to be a disruptor early on in his LSU journey — though he’s not the last LSU defensive lineman who will appear on this list. 

Vanderbilt QB Jared Curtis

Ranking: No. 4

Jared Curtis was the highest-rated recruit in Vanderbilt history when he signed with the Commodores back in December. The 5-star passer was long expected to play for Georgia, but decided to stay closer to home in Nashville to begin his college career. That decision should lead to early playing time for Curtis, who appears to have pole position to succeed Diego Pavia at Vandy. Curtis is listed at 6-foot-3 and may be a better pure passer than his predecessor, though time will tell if he’s able to produce consistent results as a young player. 

Alabama RB EJ Crowell

Ranking: No. 15

Alabama’s running back room was abysmal last season. The Crimson Tide made a run at former NC State star Hollywood Smothers, but he ended up signing with Texas. That means Alabama’s running back personnel is largely unchanged from last season with the exception of true freshman running back EJ Crowell. A 5-star recruit who is listed at 207 pounds, Crowell has the pedigree and physicality to be an early contributor in Tuscaloosa if he can beat out the likes of Daniel Hill, Kevin Riley and AK Dear. 

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Georgia OL Zykie Helton

Ranking: No. 487

It’s not often you see a true freshman offensive lineman earn the chance to start at a program like Georgia, but that seems to be the case with Zykie Helton entering fall camp. That’s especially true given that Helton wasn’t even a 4-star recruit in the class of 2026. Helton was an early-enrollee and had a huge spring with the Bulldogs, putting himself in position to break camp as a starter at either guard spot. UGA returns much of its offensive line production from last season, but it does have a vacancy at guard with Micah Morris moving on to the NFL. Dontrell Glover is expected to be Georgia’s other starter at guard. 

Oklahoma RB Jonathan Hatton

Ranking: No. 82

Jonathan Hatton was a late flip for Oklahoma in the class of 2026 as he chose the Sooners despite being committed to Texas A&M for most of his senior season. Hatton was an early-enrollee and saw first-team reps in the spring as veterans like Tory Blaylock and Xavier Robinson dealt with injuries. I don’t think Hatton will start for OU in Week 1, but a strong fall camp would likely result in early playing time — and perhaps eventually a starter’s workload if he makes good on early opportunities. 

Georgia TE Kaiden Prothro

Ranking: No. 39

The long line of elite tight end recruits to pick Georgia continues with Kaiden Prothro. A consensus top-50 recruit, Prothro has the athleticism to play tight end or line up as a slot receiver. The latter seems to be a more likely role for Prothro in 2026 as the Bulldogs return Lawson Luckie as well. Prothro could make an immediate impact for Georgia in the passing game and figures to be a big part of this offense for years to come. 

LSU DL Deuce Geralds

Ranking: No. 56 

While Lamar Brown was the highest-rated defensive lineman the Tigers signed in the class of 2026, he may not be first in line for early playing time. Deuce Geralds earned first-team reps during spring practice and looks to be in line for a starter’s workload in 2026 if he’s able to continue that momentum into fall camp. He profiles as a disruptive pass rusher at the defensive tackle position at the next level. 

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