Adam Sparks certainly performed better than many on Phil Steele's top-50 DB list that he composed heading into last season
I'm not saying Sparks was GREAT...but his numbers are certainly a lot better than most of the guys who made it.
THE LIST: https://philsteele.com/2018/07/05/2017-top-50-true-freshman-dbs-and-their-impact-on-the-season/
SPARK'S FRESHMEN STATS:
2017 SEASON
Athletic corner back prospect who quickly became a major impact player for the Tigers, in spite of his youth and inexperience at the collegiate level ... Worked his way into the starting lineup as a true freshman for the final eight games of the year, and that coincided with the resurgence of the defense having more success as the team strung together its impressive six-game win streak to close the regular season ... Played in all 13 games and made 34 tackles on the season (21 solo) and ranked second on the team with four pass break ups while tying for the team lead with two interceptions ... His picks came in consecutive road games late in the season at Vanderbilt (11/18) and at Arkansas (11/24), as he helped the Tigers achieve bowl eligibility ... His two interceptions set the school record for most in a season by a true freshman ... Had a big stretch of activity when he made 20 tackles combined in a four-game stretch in October, including a season-high six tackles at Kentucky (10/7), followed by five each at Georgia (10/14) and at home against Idaho (10/21) ... Had four more stops the following week in a win at UConn (10/28), and also broke up a pair of passes in that one.
I'm not saying Sparks was GREAT...but his numbers are certainly a lot better than most of the guys who made it.
THE LIST: https://philsteele.com/2018/07/05/2017-top-50-true-freshman-dbs-and-their-impact-on-the-season/
SPARK'S FRESHMEN STATS:
2017 SEASON
Athletic corner back prospect who quickly became a major impact player for the Tigers, in spite of his youth and inexperience at the collegiate level ... Worked his way into the starting lineup as a true freshman for the final eight games of the year, and that coincided with the resurgence of the defense having more success as the team strung together its impressive six-game win streak to close the regular season ... Played in all 13 games and made 34 tackles on the season (21 solo) and ranked second on the team with four pass break ups while tying for the team lead with two interceptions ... His picks came in consecutive road games late in the season at Vanderbilt (11/18) and at Arkansas (11/24), as he helped the Tigers achieve bowl eligibility ... His two interceptions set the school record for most in a season by a true freshman ... Had a big stretch of activity when he made 20 tackles combined in a four-game stretch in October, including a season-high six tackles at Kentucky (10/7), followed by five each at Georgia (10/14) and at home against Idaho (10/21) ... Had four more stops the following week in a win at UConn (10/28), and also broke up a pair of passes in that one.
