If you’re a 2019 defensive recruit signing (or have already signed with) with one of the two teams playing for the national championship on Monday night, you’re probably not making much of an impact on the field any time soon.
At least, recent history tells us that’s the reality of enlisting with the Alabama Crimson Tide or Clemson Tigers. In the past two years, two true freshmen, cornerback Patrick Surtain in 2018 and linebacker Dylan Moses in 2017, finished in the top 15 in tackles for the Tide. The Tigers had one, defensive end Xavier Thomas in ‘18.