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SEC freshman tracker: Jeffery Simmons makes debut in Week 2

The freshman tracker returns in Week 2 with a pair of running backs who found the end zone for the first time as college players.

DL McTelvin Agim, Arkansas: There was a play in Saturday’s TCU game where Agim flew around the right guard and leveled quarterback Kenny Hill. It was the first sack of his career, and it was clear that there will be many more to come. Defensive tackles who are 6-foot-3 and 289-pounds are not supposed to move like that or have that type of burst off the ball. It was only recently that Agim moved from end to tackle, and the early results are promising. He didn’t start Saturday’s game, but he still finished with four tackles including that sack.

RB Damarea Crockett, Missouri: Not listed on the two-deep depth chart, Crockett didn’t enter Saturday’s game until Missouri had already built up a pretty significant lead against Eastern Michigan. But he took full advantage of his opportunity. The true freshman led the Tigers with 68 yards rushing on 12 carries, and on a fourth-and-1 play in the fourth quarter, he found the end zone from 26 yards out for his first career touchdown.

QB Jalen Hurts, Alabama: Get used to seeing Hurts on the freshman tracker every week. He was impressive yet again, throwing for 287 yards and two touchdowns against Western Kentucky in just his second college game. More importantly, it felt like Hurts took control of Alabama’s ongoing quarterback battle. Nick Saban likely won’t name a starter, but through two games, Hurts looks to be the team’s best option. Of note, fellow true freshman B.J. Emmons rushed for 41 yards and a touchdown on just six carries this past Saturday.

RB Lamical Perine, Florida: Jim McElwain had high hopes for Perine this season, but the freshman fumbled his first and only carry in the season opener. Not to worry. Perine bounced back in a big way this past Saturday, rushing for a team-high 105 yards on 17 carries in Florida’s 45-7 win over Kentucky. He also caught a swing pass out of the backfield, navigated through a handful of defenders and scored his first career touchdown from 28 yards out. After the game, McElwain called Perine “an SEC back.”

DL Jeffery Simmons, Mississippi State: Playing in his first college game after he was suspended for the season opener, Simmons showed everybody what made him such a coveted prospect coming out of high school. His first play, he shot into the backfield and helped his teammates bring down South Carolina’s A.J. Turner for a loss. Two plays later, he made another tackle for loss. The 6-foot-4, 310-pound Simmons wreaked havoc in the backfield most of the night and finished with four tackles, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble.