PFF Names Ten True Freshmen To Watch In 2025

by Staff Reporter

August 21, 20250 Comments

Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Pro Football Focus includes three players from the SEC in its list of ten true freshmen to wach in 2025.

They were Tennessee OT David Sanders Jr., Florida wide receiver Dallas Wilson, and LSU CB DJ Pickett.

quote:
3. OT David Sanders Jr., Tennessee
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 9 overall, No. 2 OT (Five star)
Tennessee’s offensive line only posted a 61.5 grade as a unit in 2024, 105th in the FBS. The Volunteers also lost four starters up front, opening the door for Sanders to start immediately as a true freshman. He’s the current favorite to start Week 1 at right tackle for Tennessee and is an elite athlete for the position who’s a freight train in space. Sanders also didn’t allow a sack in his senior year. He will need to continue adding strength to his frame but is already up to 305 pounds after playing at around 275 pounds in high school.

4. WR Dallas Wilson, Florida
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 41 overall, No. 8 WR (Four star)
After an incredible spring game performance, Wilson projects as one of Florida’s starting wideouts in 2024 along with Eugene Wilson III and J. Michael Sturdivant. In that scrimmage, Wilson caught 10 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns. He’s a twitchy player at 6-foot-3, 195 pounds who’s much better after the catch than most receivers his size. Wilson is also a very physical player who takes a lot of pride in his run blocking, which will help him see the field, too. Also, keep an eye on Vernell Brown III in that receiving corps, who was rated even higher than Wilson was as a five-star recruit.

8. CB DJ Pickett, LSU
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 11 overall, No. 2 CB (Five star)
Sanchez isn’t the only cornerback who could make an immediate impact. One of LSU‘s starting outside cornerback spots will be manned by Virginia Tech-transfer Mansoor Delane, but the other is very much up for grabs. While the Tigers do return a starter in Ashton Stamps, he had a sub-70.0 PFF grade in 2024 and LSU needs some star power on what’s been a lackluster defense for the last couple of seasons.

That could come in the form of Pickett, who has ridiculous tools. He has absurd length for the cornerback position at 6-foot-5, 195 pounds while running a 10.7-second 100-meter dash. He’s also a fluid mover as well with great ball skills (10 interceptions in his high school career). Pickett could follow in the footsteps of Derek Stingley Jr. and Eli Ricks as cornerbacks who made massive impacts as true freshmen at LSU.