Some freshmen thrive; others bide their time

Shaun Dion Hamilton isn’t exactly sure which freshman year memory he’d consider his favorite, but he definitely knows which one he wouldn’t.

There's no hesitation there.

“My worst one was the first workout,” the University of Alabama linebacker said. “I thought, ‘Wow, these four years are going to be like this? It’s going to be a long four years.’”

Hamilton, now a junior, enrolled early at Alabama, joining the Crimson Tide in January 2014, which he advises all incoming players to do.

His experience paid off, too. Hamilton played in every game the following season as a freshman, finishing with three tackles.

While Hamilton’s first career start came last year, there are 12 true freshmen taking the field from the get-go this season. Three of them have started at least one game.

“We had a good group of freshmen who came in ready to work and willing to listen,” Hamilton said.

There is, however, one freshman who has entered all three games for the opening drive so far: Jonah Williams. Although the interior of the offensive line has been changing, Williams seems to have solidified his spot at right tackle.

“For any freshman, that’s always a huge thing,” fellow offensive lineman Bradley Bozeman said. “Being mature and being able to roll with the punches, that’s big.”

Quarterback Jalen Hurts and tight end Miller Forristall are the other two freshmen to record a start.

Alabama coach Nick Saban said there are always select freshmen who are able to jump right in during their first year on campus. Defensive backs Minkah Fitzpatrick and Ronnie Harrison did it last season. So did defensive lineman Da’Ron Payne and wide receiver Calvin Ridley.

They are unique, Saban said.

Sometimes situations don’t shake out that way, though.

Sophomore running back Damien Harris had to fall in line behind Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry, along with senior Kenyan Drake, last year. Therefore, Harris never started a game during his first season at Alabama. He was, however, able to learn skills from his predecessors, which came in handy as Harris is now the Crimson Tide’s leading rusher.

“Everybody’s different,” Harris said. “Some people take longer to adjust to the game.”

As if figuring out their role within their new team isn’t enough, the freshmen have to adjust to the entirely new lifestyle that is college. It’s a lot to juggle, especially as a student-athlete.

Saban, who played football from 1970-72 and baseball in 1972 at Kent State University, remembers what that transition was like.

“I’ll be the first one to join this club,” Saban said. “It’s difficult to make all those adjustments – academically, socially and athletically – and go out there and play in a game of that magnitude and feel like you’ve got both feel on the ground.”

Just like the reigning national championship coach consistently preaches, it’s a process. There are inevitable growing pains.

It may not be a whole new ball game, but it’s college.

“You don’t have mom there anymore,” Hamilton said.