ESPN Names Top 10 Freshmen To Watch For 2025 Season

ESPN recently unveiled a list of Top 10 Freshmen to watch for in 2025 and included four players from the SEC.

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2. Keelon Russell, QB, Alabama: A dynamic playmaker from Duncanville, Texas, Russell dominated one of the nation's top high school classifications en route to Gatorade National Player of the Year honors in 2024. Similar to Bryce Underwood, Russell -- a former SMU pledge -- steps into an uncertain quarterback situation behind Ty Simpson and Austin Mack this fall. Whether it's 2025 or beyond, Russell will get a shot to start for the Crimson Tide sooner rather than later.

4. Michael Fasusi, OT, Oklahoma: Fasusi's decision to stick with the Sooners over late pushes from Texas and Texas A&M was a silver lining for Oklahoma last December amid a 6-7 finish. The 6-5, 302-pound player dominated competition at the Under Armour All-America game a month later. If he settles in quickly under Sooners offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh, Fasusi could carve a role up front this fall, similar to Cayden Green in 2023.

5. Justus Terry, DT, Texas: An explosive interior presence at 6-5, 263 pounds, Terry emerged as perhaps the most disruptive defensive line prospect in the 2025 class. After stiff-arming in-state Georgia to join the Longhorns, Terry should at least challenge for a situational role in 2025 as part of a Texas defensive line replacing its top four defensive tackles from a year ago.

8. D.J. Pickett, CB, LSU: Previously ranked as ESPN's No. 1 athlete in the 2025 class, Pickett joins the Tigers as the program's highest-ranked cornerback recruit since coach Brian Kelly arrived in 2021. Pickett's combination size and speed at 6-4, 190 pounds should make him a versatile option for LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker, and the Tigers' lack of experienced cornerback talent behind projected starters Ashton Stamps and Mansoor Delane means Pickett will have an opportunity to compete for snaps on day one.

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