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SEC football 2019 season preview: Has Georgia closed the gap on Alabama?

By Matt Hicks

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 01: Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jake Fromm (11) passes during the SEC Championship game of the Georgia Bulldogs v Alabama Crimson Tide at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 01: Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jake Fromm (11) passes during the SEC Championship game of the Georgia Bulldogs v Alabama Crimson Tide at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – JANUARY 01: An LSU Tigers helmet during the college football game between the UCF Knights and the LSU Tigers on January 1, 2019 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – JANUARY 01: An LSU Tigers helmet during the college football game between the UCF Knights and the LSU Tigers on January 1, 2019 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

SEC Freshman of the Year

John Emery Jr., RB, LSU

John Emery Jr. is a 5-foot-11, 206-pound highly coveted running back that is being pegged as an immediate contributor for the Tigers in 2018.

He ran for 1,876 yards and 26 touchdowns for Destrehan High School in Destrehan, Louisianna in 2018. His performance landed him a spot on the 2018 Under Armour All-American Game roster. It also landed him as the No. 13 recruit in the 247Sports Composite rankings. The five-star recruit has a verified 40 time of 4.42.

LSU was led in rushing last season by Nick Brossette, who has now graduated. Brossette ran the ball 240 times, totaling 240 attempts and 1,039 yards for 14 touchdowns.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire is the current top running back for the Tigers. The junior running back saw significant playtime for the first time last season. He ran the ball 146 times for 658 yards and seven touchdowns. He is sure to have a role in the offense, but I do not see him as the superstar back LSU will want to lead their team to an SEC West title run.

That leaves a lot of opportunity for Emery Jr. It may take a few weeks for him to get fully worked into the offense, but I expect him to play a significant role in what is expected to be a higher pace attack this season. He could see anywhere from 150-200 touches, and if he lives up to the praise that his scouting reports are littered with, he could be an immediate impact player for LSU in 2019.

Others to Watch: Eric Gray (RB, Tennessee), Jerrion Ealy (RB, Ole Miss), George Pickens (WR, Georgia)

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