CBS Sports writer Brad Crawford put together his list of the SEC’s top freshmen to watch for the 2026-27 season on Monday, and the graphic he shared on social media highlighted 12 names across the league.
The five players Crawford specifically called out were Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon, South Carolina edge Julian Walker, Texas wide receiver Jermaine Bishop, LSU defensive lineman Deuce Geralds and Alabama running back EJ Crowell.
He also included LSU defensive lineman Lamar Brown, Tennessee wide receiver Ty Keys, South Carolina offensive lineman Darius Gray, Georgia offensive lineman Zykie Helton, Alabama wide receiver Cederian Morgan, Georgia tight end Kaiden Prothro and Auburn linebacker Jaquez Wilkes.
One notable omission from the list was Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis, a 5-star talent who is expected to start for the Commodores as Clark Lea’s team tries to build on a 10-win season.
Brandon and Crowell were the two names that stood out most from Crawford’s group. Brandon is in a quarterback battle with George MacIntyre for Tennessee’s starting job, and the freshman brings dual-threat ability and a strong arm. Still, like any first-year quarterback, he’ll have plenty on his plate heading into a 9-game SEC schedule.
Crawford’s reasoning for leaving Curtis out while keeping Brandon on the list comes down to schedule difficulty, especially away from home. Vanderbilt’s road slate includes trips to Georgia, Auburn and Florida, while Tennessee’s toughest road game is at Texas A&M, with South Carolina, Arkansas, Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech also on the road schedule.
Crowell, a former 5-star prospect, dealt with some injury issues in the spring but remains a player who could step in right away for Alabama. The Crimson Tide’s run game can’t really get much worse than last season’s 104 yards per game.
…right, Alabama?
A shaky offensive line played a major part in Alabama finishing near the bottom of the SEC in that category, and the program made some changes through the transfer portal. Whether those moves fix the issue is still unclear. Crowell can’t do anything about the line in front of him, but he’s the most talented back in the room and brings a physical style that should put him in position to earn a role from Day 1, as long as he stays healthy.
In Other News...
Why Bryan Longwell Still Carries Vanderbilt's Biggest Chip On His Shoulder
Bryan Longwells path to Vanderbilt has always been shaped by the same thing that still defines his profile now: people looking past him. The linebacker was overlooked by power-five programs because of his size, but he has answered with production and consistency, leading Vanderbilt in tackles while ranking among the top returning linebackers in several defensive categories. Even so, the broader recognition has not really followed, which is part of what makes his story linger around the Commodores.
Vanderbilt has leaned into that same underdog edge, turning Misfit into more than a label and into a rallying identity for a roster that knows what it means to be doubted. Longwell has become the face of that mindset, a player whose rsum says he belongs among the leagues best even if the honors have not caught up yet. For Vanderbilt, the appeal is obvious: the chip on his shoulder is personal, but it also fits the programs self-image almost perfectly. [Read more 🡒]
Vanderbilt Faces Its Biggest Test Yet After Losing Pavia And Stowers
Vanderbilt heads into a new season with a different kind of pressure after a program-best 10-3 run under Clark Lea, because the Commodores are no longer chasing the surprise of last fall. They are trying to prove that the rise was real even after losing the kind of production leaders that made the offense hum, including quarterback Diego Pavia and tight end Eli Stowers, while still leaning on a roster that brings back a lot of experience on both sides of the ball.
Lea has reason to feel good about the foundation, especially with the portal addition of veteran interior lineman Cooper to help steady a younger offensive line. The bigger question is whether all that experience and depth can hold up when the spotlight gets brighter and the margins get thinner, and whether this group can match last years standard without the same familiar names carrying the load. [Read more 🡒]