ATHENS — Kirby Smart sends the same message every year, that the best players will play, regardless of class.
That was evident last season when Georgia led the nation with three FWAA Freshmen All-American selections.
There are young Bulldogs are starting the year at the head of the class once again.
Georgia is one of three schools with four freshman players on the FWAA Freshman Player of the Year watch list, matching SEC rivals Tennessee and Alabama in that regard.
Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence was the FWAA Freshman of the Year last season, garnering that honor before he beat Alabama in the College Football Playoff Championship Game.
Tailback Zamir White and receiver George Pickens are two of the 37 offensive players on the watch list released on Friday.
White, coming off ACL tears in each knee the past two years, is also a candidate for the FWAA Most Inspirational Player of the Year Award. Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez won that award last season.
WATCH: Zamir White runs through another linebacker
The Bulldogs have two players among the 37 defensive and special teams players on the watch list, outside linebackers Azeez Ojulari an Nolan Smith.
Georgia might have had a fifth player on the watch list, but inside linebacker Nakobe Dean has been hobbled by a high ankle sprain.
The FWAA Freshman Watch List will be updated weekly.
The three Bulldogs on last year’s FWAA Freshman All-American Team were:
• Defensive lineman Jordan Davis
• Offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson
• Offensive lineman Cade Mays
Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm led the FWAA Freshman All-American Team in 2017, and was joined by left tackle Andrew Thomas.
Kicker Rodrigo Blankenship was a member of the 2016 FWAA freshman team, and so was receiver Demetris Robertson.
Robertson, however, was at Cal when he was recognized.
FWAA Freshman All-American Watch List
SEC
Bo Nix-QB-Auburn
Owen Pappoe-OLB-Auburn
Kenyon Green-OL-Texas A&M
DeMarvin Leal-DL-Texas A&M
George Pickens-WR-Georgia
Zamir White (RS)-RB-Georgia
Nolan Smith-LB-Georgia
Azeez Ojulari (RS)-LB-Georgia
Matt Corral (RS)-QB-Ole Miss
Jerrion Ealy-RB-Ole Miss
Trey Knox-WR-Arkansas
Greg Brooks Jr.-DB Arkansas
John Emery Jr.-RB-LSU
Derek Stingley Jr.-CB-LSU
Cade York-Kicker-LSU
Wanya Morris-OL-Tennessee
Darnell Wright-OL-Tennessee
Henry To’o To’o-LB-Tennessee
Warren Burrell-CB-Tennessee
Evan Neal-OL-Alabama
Will Reichard-Kicker-Alabama
DJ Dale-DL-Alabama
Justin Eboigbe-DL-Alabama
Zacch Pickens-DL-South Carolina
Jared Casey-LB-Kentucky
Kaiir Elam-DB-Florida
Big 12
Trejan Bridges-WR-Oklahoma
Spencer Sanders (RS)-QB-Oklahoma State
Tyler Lacy (RS)-DL-Oklahoma State
Jordan Whittington-RB-Texas
Jake Smith-WR-Texas
Ayodele Adeoye (RS)-LB-Texas
Breece Hall-RB-Iowa State
Will McDonald (RS)-LB-Iowa State
Pac-12
Jayden Daniels-QB-Arizona State
Jalen “Boobie” Curry-WR-Arizona
Drake Jackson-DL-USC
Sean Rhyan-OL-UCLA
Dimitri Stanley (RS)-WR-Colorado
Mark Perry-DB-Colorado
Mycah Pittman-WR-Oregon
Kayvon Thibodeaux-DL-Oregon
Verone McKinley III (RS)-DB-Oregon
Cameron Williams-DB-Washington
Ryan Sanborn-Punter-Stanford
Ben Lennon-Punter-Utah
Big Ten
Noah Cain-RB-Penn State
Justin Shorter (RS)-WR-Penn State
Rasheed Walker (RS)-OL-Penn State
Zach Charbonnet-RB-Michigan
Daxton Hill-DB-Michigan
Wan’Dale Robinson-WR-Nebraska
David Bell-WR-Purdue
George Karlaftis-DL-Purdue
Garrett Wilson-WR-Ohio State
Jaelen Gill (RS)-WR-Ohio State
Cameron Williams-LB-Indiana
Julian Barnett-DB-Michigan State
ACC
Sam Howell-QB-North Carolina
Jarren Williams (RS)-QB-Miami
Zion Nelson-OL-Miami
Nolan Groulx-WR-Wake Forest
Frank Ladson Jr.-WR-Clemson
KJ Henry (RS)-DL-Clemson
Zonovan Knight-RB-NC State
Payton Wilson (RS)-LB-NC State
Savion Jackson-DL-NC State
Jowon Briggs-DL-Virginia
Dontae Lucas-OL-Florida State
Jaleel McRae-LB-Florida State
Akeem Dent-DB-Florida State
Independent
Jarrett Patterson (RS)-OL-Notre Dame
Jacob Lacey-DL-Notre Dame
Jay Bramblett-Punter-Notre Dame
