Eleven SEC freshmen make ESPN's top 40

Eleven players from seven SEC programs made Billy Tucker's updated ESPN ranking of college football's top 40 freshmen, published Nov. 6, with LSU defensive tackle Deuce Geralds leading the conference group at No. 2. Geralds recorded five sacks in his first five games and a season-high six tackles in LSU's rout of then-No. 16 Mississippi State.

Georgia guard Zykie Helton followed at No. 3 after starting every game for the No. 2 Bulldogs. The third true freshman offensive lineman to start an opener under Kirby Smart had not allowed a sack through eight games, while Georgia led the SEC and ranked fourth nationally at 5.9 yards per carry.

Kentucky receiver Kenny Darby ranked No. 8 after leading the Wildcats with 507 receiving yards through eight games. His 12 catches for 96 yards and a touchdown against South Carolina set a Kentucky freshman record, while South Carolina tackle Darius Gray landed at No. 10 after allowing one sack across 540 snaps at both tackle positions.

Vanderbilt placed quarterback Jared Curtis at No. 15 and slot corner Mason Lewis at No. 20. Curtis had completed 65% of his passes for 1,489 yards, with another 150 yards and two touchdowns rushing. Through nine weeks, Lewis had played more defensive snaps than any other SEC true freshman and was tied for fifth on the team with 35 tackles.

Georgia receiver Craig Dandridge ranked No. 27 with a team-high 349 receiving yards on 20 catches. At No. 28, South Carolina defensive tackle Noah Clark had recorded 15 tackles and one sack through eight games, though Tucker wrote that those totals did not fully reflect Clark's work against the run and double-teams.

Alabama running backs Trae'shawn Brown and EJ Crowell were Nos. 30 and 34. Brown ranked second on the team with 324 rushing yards through eight games and was tied with Keelon Russell for the team lead with five rushing touchdowns. Crowell led Alabama at 6.8 yards per carry.

Oklahoma defensive end Jake Kreul completed the SEC group at No. 35. His growing role included 2.5 sacks against Kentucky and pressure on South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers that produced a pick-six.

Why it matters

Seven SEC programs placed at least one player in the ranking, and four SEC freshmen made the top 10. Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama each had two selections.