On Thursday, two Alabama Football players received recognition when they were named to the Freshman All-SEC Team. Proctor’s season has been quite the ride; he lost some snaps to Elijah Pritchett in week one, but he has now established himself as a reliable offensive lineman. The left tackle position is one of the most crucial in football, and it takes a lot of skill to be successful at it. It’s amazing how much Kadyn Proctor has matured in just his first season of collegiate football.
On the flip side, Caleb Downs, a safety on one of the top defenses in the nation, had a fantastic rookie season. According to the Associated Press, Downs not only made the All-Freshman SEC Team but also won the titles of SEC Newcomer of the Year and Conference Freshman of the Year.
It’s an amazing accomplishment to start as a true freshman, especially for a squad as skilled as the Alabama Football team this season. As the Crimson Tide prepares for their sophomore seasons, Proctor and Downs have proven to be worthy of their positions and reliable performers in year one.
Alabama Football: Future True Freshman Starters?
The NFL and possibly the transfer portal will take a significant amount of talent away from the Alabama Football team this offseason. Cornerback is one spot where we might see a true freshman in 2024, since Kool-Aid Mckinstry and Terrion Arnold are almost certain to be first-round picks in the spring draft. Jaylen Mbakwe, a five-star cornerback, and Zabien Brown, a four-star cornerback, are among the recruits this year. With Mckinstry and Arnold out of the picture and no obvious replacement, both Brown and Mbakwe will have an opportunity to earn a starting position at cornerback in the spring. Under Nick Saban, defensive backs have become more adept; Caleb Downs, Kool-Aid Mckinstry, and Malachi Moore are three outstanding examples.
