More and more true freshmen come into the college D-1 level and get a lot of playing time. But what i notice most is that they actually do pretty well. Last year was a great example of 3 wr's and a qb also a couple of running backs. QB Terrell Pryor: Actually started and did well benching the starter. RB Jacquez Rodgers Came out of nowheres and became a superman. RB from V-tech: Also did well WR Julio Jones: Exploded onto the scene put up big numbers. A.J Green Was more productive than jones DeAndre Brown: He picked Southern Miss over us and had a huge year. OL Michael Brewster moved from tackle to center and was productvie DB Patrick Peterson: Came in highly recruited and played well That was last year's class. It amazes me how players can step in and do that well. Have we really ever seen that before. This year QB Matt Barkley Stepped in as the first freshmen to ever start at qb there. Led them to a W over Ohio St. Runningback Brice Brown and Trent Richardson. Playing amazingly, both agaisnt sec d's. WR Orlson Charles Impressive so far compliments Green well DB Greg Reid is looking like an animal the guy plays huge DT Josh Downs. Looking very good My point is, how are these freshmen able to come in and contribute in that way. They walk into a totally different new level and it amazes me
Because they are just highly motivated talented players. Sometimes I think this experience thing is WAY overblown except possibly at QB and yet even some of them shine. You mentioned Barkley. The QB at Baylor who all of a sudden made them legit is another and when Bradford at OK went down the 2nd guy was a FR or RS FR I think and he has thrown for hundreds of yards and a fair amount of TD's behind a totally rebuilt OL. How do certain rookies come into the NFL and succeed? I think that's probably an even bigger jump. Percy Harvin is looking killer for Minnesota as did AP. Why? They have great talent and are being allowed to PLAY, unlike for instance Russel Shepherd. It seems that only at LSU do you have to be an upperclassman in order to be "trusted" to step on the field. It's kind of a shame really.
The problem is, there's an LSU player on this year's list...AND last year's list. And a bunch of freshman have played for LSU this year. You can add Chad Jones to the list from 2007, too.
