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DEL.ICIO.USFive freshmen who will have an impact
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
An old coach used to say that the best thing about freshmen is that if they survive, they eventually become sophomores. But some freshmen can come in and make an immediate impact. Here are five from the ACC and SEC who will do exactly that when the season begins on Saturday.
1. Eric Berry, CB, Tennessee: The native of Fairburn (Creekside) could start the first game versus California. There is also the temptation to use him on offense with his own special package of plays, a la Darren McFadden at Arkansas. He’s so good that folks around the program are already starting to call him “The Truth.”
2. Chris Rainey, RB, Florida: The Gators have a lot of talented freshmen but Rainey is intriguing. He’s small (5-9, 156) but incredibly explosive. Had 15 touchdown runs of 50 yards or more as a senior at Lakeland (Fla.) High School. Florida will find a way to get the ball in his hands.
3. Willy Korn, QB, Clemson: He is the Tigers’ future, but coaches want to bring him along slowly. But, like Georgia’s Matthew Stafford in 2006, he is too talented to redshirt and coach Tommy Bowden knows that. He will get on the field and will make plays. If he doesn’t make a lot of mistakes, he’ll get a chance to make even more plays.
4. Trinton Sturdivant, OL, Georgia: Conventional wisdom says that a true freshman cannot line up at left tackle in the SEC. Well, Andre Smith of Alabama proved that conventional wisdom to be wrong last season. Coaches don’t trust a freshman to play that spot unless he has a lot of talent and is mature beyond his years. Sturdivant is just such a player.
5. Marvin Austin, DL, North Carolina: If Austin wasn’t the nation’s best high school defensive lineman last season, he was certainly in the top three. And when the Tar Heels line up on Saturday against James Madison, the Washington, D.C., native will be in the starting lineup. The Tar Heels gave up 172.8 rushing yards per game last season. That will change.
Comments
By toby young
August 26, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this
Tom,love your honesty in writing about collage ball.Clemson,s Cullen Harper has had more snaps then any other new QB in the ACC.Hes not your avearge freshman in my book.I can,t see Willy playing unless Harpers hurt.They hav,nt even giving him a pakage to play with for Fla State.Hes still working with the 2 squad.Can you convince me more that your prediction Willy will play will come true bar injury to Harper?
By brownie
August 26, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this
Marvin Austin will not start against JMU, Kentwan Balmer and Tavaris Brown are the starters at DT.
I wanna send love out to my life partner Jetson and hugs and kisses to my boy el perdido.
Jeff Brown out.
By Halsey
August 27, 2007 6:25 AM | Link to this
The more I hear about Eric Berry the more I can’t help but think of Champ Bailey. Yuck! It’s gonna be painful watching him play for UT if he lives up to his hype.
By ARKANSAS DOG
August 27, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this
I hope Mark has got the dogs READY to come out of the gate fast. It’s not bad enough to start with the gamecocks but now the cowboys. GO DOGS!!!
By Dave
August 27, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this
Tony you are a good reporter and I like your style, but you need to get outside Atlanta more. Another key true freshman is Lee Ziemba, who will be starting at right tackle as a true freshman for Auburn. That is Brandon Cox’s blindside and we know how Cox is less mobile than Stafford. Add to that the fact that another RS freshmen is starting next to Ziemba at guard, and that makes Ziemba about as key as a true freshman can get. Auburn’s offense has a lot of young playmakers this year but if Ziemba fails then Cox cannot get them the ball. Rumors have it that Ziemba is really good so stay posted.
By JAMES
August 27, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this
Tony, keep an eye out for Florida’s backup quarterback, Cameron Newton. He is a physical specimen and loves to compete……………
By scott
August 28, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this
Eric Berry is a good player, but I didn’t see him dominate on the high school level, so don’t crown him the next Champ just yet. We are talking the SEC East.