Fansided

SEC football 2018 preview: Breakout stars, biggest games, predictions

By Jeremy Morris

Nick Saban, Alabama Crimson Tide, Kirby Smart, Georgia Bulldogs. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
Nick Saban, Alabama Crimson Tide, Kirby Smart, Georgia Bulldogs. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 8
Next
American Heritage cornerback Patrick Surtain Jr. announces his intent to play for the Alabama Crimson Tide (Photo by Douglas Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
American Heritage cornerback Patrick Surtain Jr. announces his intent to play for the Alabama Crimson Tide (Photo by Douglas Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

SEC Freshman of the Year

Patrick Surtain, Jr. was the highest rated defensive back in the 2018 recruiting class. At 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, he has a blend of size and speed rarely seen at the corner position. And as the son of a three-time Pro Bowler and 11-year NFL vet (Patrick Surtain, Sr.), he also has the pedigree.

Alabama returns less experience on the back-end of its defense in 2018 than just about any season in recent memory. They’ll have two new starters at corner, one at safety and very little experience outside of those four. Surtain will likely see the field immediately as a reserve corner as well as in nickel and dime packages. Many around the Tide program think it’s only a matter of time before he becomes someone who coaches can’t keep off the field. According to numerous reports, he’s been as impressive as advertised in camp and that time will come sooner than later his freshman season.

Surtain has excellent coverage skills, is a good tackler, especially for a cornerback, and he uses his size and physical gifts extremely well in press coverage and short-yardage routes preventing receivers from getting leverage and position. Maybe the most impressive of any skill that Surtain brings to the table, is his knack for creating turnovers. He has good hands and great natural instincts when it comes to forcing fumbles, breaking up passes and coming up with interceptions.

Given the fact that he’ll see playing time early for one of the best, most-visible teams in the conference and his potential to make big plays, especially turnovers, Surtain is a likely choice for SEC Freshman of the Year.

Others to watch: Asa Martin (RB, Auburn), Ja’Marr Chase (WR, LSU), James Cook (RB, Georgia), Alontae Taylor (DB, Tennessee)