The goal was to be able to play plenty of younger guys Saturday against Kent State, and No. 1 Alabama accomplished that. The Crimson Tide won its fourth game of the 2016 season with a 48-0 victory over the Golden Flashes inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. And in the game, a total of 13 true freshmen from Alabama’s No. 1-ranked recruiting class of 2016 saw the field.

Here are all the true freshmen that entered the game in Alabama’s non-conference win against Kent State:

Jalen Hurts, the No. 3 dual-threat quarterback in 2016, made his third career start behind center, and he consequently won his third straight game. The Channelview, Texas, native threw for 164 yards and a one-yard touchdown to a fellow freshman (more on that later) on 16-of-24 passing. Hurts also ran for 54 yards and a 20-yard score in the first quarter on seven carries.

Jonah Williams started his fourth consecutive game at right tackle and was a part of an Alabama offensive line that was able to move the chains on the ground for a second straight week. The Tide rushed for 285 yards and three rushing touchdowns.

Joshua Jacobs was the star freshman this week as the second running back on the field for the Tide, replacing starter Damien Harris, who left the game in the first quarter with a sprained ankle. The tailback rushed for a game-high 97 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries and saw the field on several special teams units, including kickoff, kickoff return and punt return.

His fellow tailback, B.J. Emmons, saw a few snaps at running back, too, and rushed for 51 yards on eight carries and caught one pass for 17 yards. Emmons also lined up on Alabama’s kickoff coverage unit at times Saturday afternoon.

Linebacker, yes linebacker, Lyndell Wilson lined up as a fullback and recorded the first offensive touchdown of his career on a one-yard pass from Hurts in the third quarter. Wilson was also used as an inside linebacker on the second-team defense, recording one tackle, and on special teams. The Montgomery product is settling into that fullback role in the Tide’s offense.

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Trevon Diggs didn’t return any kicks, but the versatile freshman saw plenty of reserve reps at wide receiver. Diggs caught three passes for 25 yards. He, Miller Forristall and T.J. Simmons were used as reserve receivers against the Flashes, while Forristall and Simmons were utilized on several special teams units, including kickoff, kickoff return and punt return.

The second-team defense was littered with freshmen, especially in the secondary. Shyheim Carter, Aaron Robinson and Jared Mayden lined up at Star, corner and safety, respectively. Carter and Robinson played on special teams, while Robinson posted one tackle. This was the first game I saw Mayden on the field, despite what participation charts have said.

Wilson, Terrell Hall and 6-foot-7 defensive lineman Raekwon Davis played along Alabama’s defensive front seven in the second half. Like Mayden, this was the first game I’ve seen Hall take the field. He registered two tackles off the edge.

Below is a list of the freshmen that have stepped on the field for Alabama this season and their high school rankings:



Lyndell Wilson, rated No. 15 nationally

Jonah Williams, rated No. 17 nationally

B.J. Emmons, rated No. 35 nationally

Terrell Hall, rated No. 64 nationally

Shyheim Carter, rated No. 71 nationally

Raekwon Davis, rated No. 84 nationally

Trevon Diggs, rated No. 114 nationally

Jared Mayden, rated No. 148 nationally

Jalen Hurts, rated No. 177 nationally

Miller Forristall, rated No. 379 nationally

Joshua Jacobs, rated No. 464 nationally

T.J. Simmons, rated No. 473 nationally

Aaron Robinson, rated No. 648 nationally

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