Freshman Report: Which Tide true freshmen played vs. Texas

Alabama fell to 1-1 after a 34-24 loss to Texas on Saturday. In the second game of the season, only three true freshmen from the Crimson Tide’s No. 1 signing class from the 2023 recruiting cycle, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, saw the field in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

The level of competition was obviously different than in Week 1 against Middle Tennessee, but Alabama played 14 true freshmen last week against the Blue Raiders. A team known for using members of its freshman class, the Tide hasn’t played many newcomers on special teams this season, with safety Caleb Downs being the only player to do so early in games.

Downs and offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor did, however, start the primetime matchup against the Longhorns for the second week in a row and went wire-to-wire in their second-ever games at the collegiate level. Alabama did use other first-year players against Texas, though, including four of its five additions from the transfer portal and both junior college transfers.

But here are the true freshmen that entered the game in Alabama’s Week 2 loss:

CALEB DOWNS
No. 1 safety, No. 5 overall in 2023 rankings

For the second week in a row, Downs started the game at strong safety, but the freshman first saw the field on the game’s opening kickoff. Also for the second week in row, the Five-Star Plus prospect led the Alabama defense in tackles with 10, including five solo stops, and following the first two weeks of the season, he leads the Tide defense with 18 total tackles. Downs forced a fumble on Saturday, too. The freshman was on the field for all but one defensive series against UT as, according to the ESPN broadcast, he “lost his lunch” on the sideline.

“I think he handled it well,” said senior Malachi Moore of Downs’ first big-game start. “He knew all the checks that we were going to and everything like that. I think he did a good job.”

KADYN PROCTOR
No. 1 offensive tackle, No. 9 overall in 2023 rankings

Proctor was also in the starting lineup at left tackle for the second consecutive week, but this was a game in which the offensive line, as a whole, struggled. All five of Alabama’s penalties on were by the line, with Proctor’s lone flag – a holding call – erasing a third-quarter touchdown by wide receiver Jermaine Burton. It was that kind of night for the Tide’s front five, who gave up five sacks and made way for an average of 3.1 yards per rushing attempt. In addition to blocking the blindside of Jalen Milroe, Proctor was also on field goals and extra points.

TONY MITCHELL
No. 10 safety, No. 116 overall in 2023 rankings

In a game where 40 total players saw action for Alabama, the only other true freshman to enter Saturday’s non-conference matchup was Mitchell, who received his first reps in the third quarter on kickoff coverage – much like last week. Mitchell only contributed on special teams and didn’t record any stats during the second appearance in his young Crimson Tide career.

TRACKING FRESHMEN PARTICIPATION

Below, we track how many games Alabama’s freshmen have appeared in in 2023.

1. Caleb Downs (2) – MTSU, Texas
2 Kadyn Proctor (2) – MTSU, Texas
3. James Smith (1) – MTSU
4. Justice Haynes (1) – MTSU
5. Jalen Hale (1) – MTSU
6. Richard Young (1) – MTSU
7. Wilkin Formby (1) – MTSU
8. Tony Mitchell (2) – MTSU, Texas
9. Olaus Alinen (1) – MTSU
10. Miles McVay (1) – MTSU
11. Ty Lockwood (1) – MTSU
12. Jaren Hamilton (1) – MTSU
13. Roq Montgomery (1) – MTSU
14. Conor Talty (1) – MTSU

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