Those wacky freshmen! You never know who’s going to contribute immediately, who’s going to redshirt, and who’s destined to post a tweet that concludes with “three years of eligibility remaining.” But it’s July and we’re all thirsty for content, no matter how stretchy and sketchy the conjecture may be.

Butch Jones and Staff delivered another stellar class to Jonesboro for 2023, adding 24 true freshman to the roster with a particular focus on wide receiver (5). Will we see any of these guys on the gridiron this season? Your guess is as good (if not much, much better) than mine.

Jaylen Raynor, QB, #1

Raynor, a dual-threat, mid-season signee who led the Red Wolves 2nd-Team offense in the Spring Game, isn’t the only true freshman QB on the roster – we’ll see 6’5″ Christian Hunt from Redondo Beach, California when Autumn camp assembles. However, Raynor enrolled early and got a jump on on the playbook, showing off his versatile wheels while throwing for 333 yards and a TD in the Spring Game.

Raynor will likely bide his time behind redshirt freshman Jaxson Dailey and Colorado transfer JT Shrout, but one wonders if an electric player like Raynor can be kept long on the sideline.

Chauncey Cobb, WR, #16

Among the high-volume recipients of Raynor’s 333 Spring Game passing yards was Chauncey Cobb, the light 5’6″ wideout from Florida who totaled 4 catches and 73 yards for the Second Team.

Cobb, who was also a stellar defensive back in high school, may be the kind of small-but-fast playmaker Jones likes to turn to for surprise gains (think Champ Flemings in 2022). Outside of Jeff Foreman, Courtney Jackson and Corey Rucker, the wide receiver position has openings. Will Cobb find a role?

Clyde Curry, WR, #2

With offers from Western Kentucky, Minnesota and Michigan State, the 6’3″ Curry chose Arkansas State to become the highest rated member of the 2023 recruiting class. The Alabama native certainly bears the height of a vertical playmaker, but unless we see some attrition from the wideout room, I suspect Curry will see this season has one for development in both the gym and on the practice field.

Ian Jeffries, DL, #40

Arkansas State fended off offers from Georgia State, Illinois and Indiana to make a home for Jeffries, a 6’4″ 274-pound 3-star from Mississippi. It would be real swell to develop Jeffries’ talents and transformation into another Red Wolves Sack Monster, but the A-State defensive line isn’t the deepest squad on the team. Could we see Jeffries pushed into service a little early?

Timothy Gulley, DL, #34

Why might we see the 6’1″, 294-pound standout from Pensacola on the gridiron in 2023? See: JEFFRIES, Ian. It’s not ideal to rush freshman defensive lineman onto the field, but defensive coordinator Rob Harley may have little choice than to polish the green of Gulley and get him some reps sometime during the season.

PHOTO CREDIT: Me