The last few years I have put out daily blogs that listed all the True Freshmen at each position and given you an idea of how many actually played in their first year on campus. I will go thru each position this August and show you how many have played the last two years, so you know what to expect out of this year’s true frosh class.

Here is a look at the top 50 Defensive Backs that were signed in 2020. Now 2020 was an odd year as with no spring practice, the true frosh DB’s could not benefit from being in early for the spring. With some conferences cancelling their seasons and then starting them up again that put them even further behind. Now in 2020 technically every DB redshirted as 2020 did not count against their eligibility so coaches were more likely to play them.

Here is a look at the Top 50 rated True Frosh Defensive Backs rom 2020 and how many played. There were other freshmen that played at DB in 2020 but I am just going thru the top 50 DB and how many played as these were the freshmen that were most likely to play.

The DB’s had the highest percentage of playing time of the true freshmen in 2020. Malachi Moore (PS#19) was 2^nd Team all SEC as a true frosh and started 10 games. Kelee Ringo (PS#1) of Georgia would have played a bigger role but was OFY prior to the year. 13 of the top 50 true frosh started a game and 14 had double digit tackles. LSU’s Eli Ricks made the SEC all-Frosh team. Only three of the top 50 true frosh started more than seven games.

Now let’s look at the 2021 True Freshmen. I know that technically all of 2020’s true frosh were still true frosh, but I will just look at the ones that were in their first year on campus. We will just look at the 2021 signing class of DB’s and how much they played.

With everyone back from Covid and unlike in 2020 if a player played more than 4 games the player would lose a year of eligibility you would think that less true frosh DB’s would play. One advantage the 2021 true frosh had was being able to be on campus for spring if they enrolled early. The uninterrupted summer probably helped the DB’s gain strength in the weight room and be more capable of playing.

Here is a look at the Top 50 True Frosh DB’s from 2021 and how many played.

In 2020 the top 50 true frosh DB’s combined for 49 starts, 370 tkls, 14 int’s and 40 pbu.

In 2021 the top 50 true frosh DB’s combined for 72 starts, 467 tkls, 12 int’s and 56 pbu.

The 2021 top 50 true freshmen were the most productive of any group over the two years. Clemson’s Andrew Mukuba was 3^rd team ACC with 10 starts. Tysheem Johnson (Ole Miss) had 10 starts and 47 tackles. Ohio State’s Denzell Burke was 3^rd team Big 10 and had 12 pbu starting all 13 games. The top 50 DB’s combined to start 72 games with 16 of them earning at least one start. Only 12 of the top 50 true frosh did not record at least one tackle.

Now let’s look at the top true freshmen DB’s for this year.

Travis Hunter (PS#1) surprisingly signed with Jackson State and he figures to start from day one. I do have Florida State’s Sam McCall (PS#8) and Daylen Everette (PS#150 projected as starters already. I have plenty of these top frosh already in the two deep which means they will see the field and could work into the starter’s role. It will be tough to top last years combined numbers but this group could do it.

Remember I have a new daily blog each and every day this year so stop back to philsteele.com and check it out each day. Also did you know the digital magazine is updated all the way thru the start of the football season. We circle players that are out for the year, add in any new transfers and update position outlooks for each team. If you want to get the digital magazine along with your hard copy you can purchase it here.