Seven Vanderbilt football freshmen to watch in 2023, including Martel Hight

In Vanderbilt football's Sunday scrimmage, it was easy to forecast Junior Sherrill and London Humphreys becoming future stars. Both made impressive catches for chunk plays downfield.

They aren't the only freshmen who have been impressing throughout the preseason. Despite a recruiting class that was ranked lower than Clark Lea's first in 2022, Vanderbilt could end up with as many or even more players playing significant roles as true freshmen than did a year ago.

Those include players on offense, defense and special teams. While it's most likely that most of these players end up reserves to start, they could also play their way into more significant playing time or step in if others get hurt at their positions.

Here are seven freshmen to watch for the 2023 season:

CB Martel Hight

Hight has been receiving hype since the start of the preseason. The top recruit in Vanderbilt's 2023 class, he projects to play right away at corner and is in a battle to start with incumbent Tyson Russell. Hight has made several big plays during the preseason and showed good speed and athleticism.

In addition to his work at cornerback, Hight has also returned kicks.

WRs London Humphreys and Junior Sherrill

Humphreys (Christ Presbyterian Academy) and Sherrill (Lipscomb Academy) have been consistent standouts. Sherrill projects to play in the slot, while Humphreys projects on the outside, but they've been moving around in the preseason in an attempt to get them as many reps as possible.

Both players are fast, athletic and look surprisingly polished for freshmen. Neither is likely to start right away on a team that returns all three starting receivers from a year ago, but due to a lack of tight end depth Vanderbilt could opt to play four-receiver sets more, opening up a spot for one of the talented newcomers.

"Both of those guys are capable," Lea said Sunday. "We're really glad they're here. Both local too, which is a really cool thing. It's been fun for me to see the families at both scrimmages. I think that's a testament to the potential of this program. We have such a talented local recruiting base here and when local guys sign up to be a part of this program, they know they're coming to compete at the highest level, they know that they're coming to to win and win big at Vanderbilt and to do that while their families are a part of it and can be around it and to represent the city of Nashville."

RBs Sedrick Alexander and AJ Newberry

Both Alexander and Newberry have shown flashes. Alexander, who enrolled early and impressed in the spring game, is already ultra-physical. Newberry is taller, leaner and quicker, and according to Lea, he's hit over 20 mph in practice.

"Seddy has been with us since the winter," Lea said. "I thought he carried the ball well today. He's really solid in pass pro too, and AJ has come on here in camp. We see home run potential in him."

Alongside veterans Chase Gillespie and Patrick Smith, Alexander and Newberry will compete for the third rotational running back spot and the winner of that battle is yet to be decided.

DL De'Marion Thomas

Thomas is ultra-physical for a freshman at 6-foot-2, 321 pounds. But for someone of that size he has looked ready to play right away in the SEC.

Freshmen defensive linemen rarely start, and Thomas is unlikely to be an exception. But he could still see a good amount of playing time in the rotation in preparation for a larger role as a sophomore and beyond.

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K Brock Taylor

According to special teams coordinator Justin Lustig, Taylor is engaged in a kicker battle with Kansas grad transfer Jacob Borcila. So far, neither player has separated himself, but Taylor certainly has a shot to win the starting job right away.

"He's got a chance to hit it from like far 50s, certainly a big leg," Lustig said.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt football top freshmen: Martel Hight, Junior Sherrill