Southampton have always prided themselves on their academy players. The likes of Gareth Bale, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott, Tyler Dibling, and Alan Shearer have all come through the ranks of the academy.
Now, with the first team struggling in the Championship, some of the academy players are beginning to get their chances.
Three have made their debuts already this season and two of those were before the under-21 coach, Tonda Eckert, took up the first-team reins on an interim basis.
A very unanticipated debut
The first to make an appearance this season was Cameron Bragg. Last seen in pre-season, Bragg was called up to the first team for the ill-fated trip to Blackburn Rovers.
'Called-up' is a bit of a stretch. Due to illness, Southampton's sqaud was depleted and Will Still needed another player to join up with the squad on the day of the match.
Bragg was due to play for the under-21s in Leicester on the day of the Blackburn match so the club stuck him in a taxi and he joined up with the senior team with a couple of hours to spare before kick-off.
Southampton's most prolific goal scorer is not who you think
Next to make his debut was Nicholas Oyekunle. After sitting on the bench against Blackburn, the 18-year-old came on in Will Still's very last meaningful action of his Southampton tenure.
Oyekunle came on with the Saints 1-0 down at home to Preston and just 4 minutes left on the clock. The rising academy star had just one touch before Preston put the final nail in Still's managerial coffin at St Mary's.
Southampton need goals and nobody is scoring more of them at Southampton than Oyekunle. At under-18 level, he has bagged 39 goals in 60 matches. His record at under-21s is almost as impressive. He has scored 6 goals in 11 matches at the senior academy level, right under Tonda Eckert's nose.
If Eckert does get an extended period as interim coach, surely Oyekunle will be among the academy graduates to make the step-up.
Barnaby who?
Perhaps the most surprising debut was handed to 19-year-old defensive midfielder Barnaby Williams against Sheffield Wednesday last Saturday.
The youngster came on for Flynn Downes who had been struggling and Eckert had no hesitation in turning to Williams with the likes of Joe Aribo warming up.
Great to see Southampton's academy coming to fruition. Barnaby Williams did very well coming on just after half-time in the match against Sheffield Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/NKSDeeWFMw
— Total Football Insight (@final_whistle1) November 14, 2025
Williams showed great maturity and kept Wednesday at arms length as the Saints saw out the match 3-1 to earn Eckert a second win as interim manager.
The academy is rich with talent. Jay Robinson had progressed to the first team at the tail-end of last season and scored his first two senior goals against Ipswich and Sheffield Wednesday.
Moses Sesay was impressive during pre-season but with such a big squad, Still declined to promote Sesay to the first team. Perhaps Eckert will see things differently.