The 10 best players in the SEC
It has long been said that the SEC differentiates itself from other conferences by its play in the trenches. It's no wonder then that half of the following 10 players battle it out along the line. But it’s not just the big uglies up front. Playmakers on the outside and dynamic ball carriers also litter the list.
The SEC as a whole is in the midst of an offensive renaissance. The Fun n’ Gun has been replaced with multiple iterations of the hurry-up, no-huddle scheme. The ease of the new systems led to half of the conference averaging more than 30 points per game in 2014. Defenders will be looking to even the score this fall, as less than half of the conference returns its quarterback.
Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
Eclipsing 20 tackles for loss (TFLs) last season put Barnett in rarefied air among not only freshman, but the national elite. Barnett didn't just feast on weaker competition, posting notable performances against Laremy Tunsil (4 TFLs) and D.J. Humphries (2 TFLs). The Vols' improved offense should provide him plenty of pure pass-rush opportunities to build on his already gaudy stats.
Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
Garrett was an absolute demon off the edge in 2014, posting an SEC freshman record with 11.5 sacks. The 19-year-old will be even better this year now that he's been paired up with one of the nation's greatest defensive minds. The Aggies' acquisition of LSU's defensive coordinator, John Chavis, sent shock waves through the region, and should bolster the A&M unit from Day 1.
Pharoh Cooper, WR, South Carolina
The Gamecocks’ one-man band will have all eyes on him this season. With question marks at quarterback, we could even see Cooper taking snaps again. Coach Steve Spurrier has used players like Syvelle Newton in this fashion in years past. Regardless of position, Cooper is a must-watch with the ball in his hands.
Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
Coach Les Miles had to publicly scold his star runner last season after he flashed a premature Heisman pose against Sam Houston State. Based on his dominate bowl performance against Notre Dame (3 total TDs), premature may morph into prophetic in short order. Fournette's blend of size and speed is reminiscent of former southern legend Marcus Dupree.
Dak Prescott, QB, Mississippi State
The triggerman from last season’s historic Orange Bowl team returns with his sights set on a Heisman Trophy. Bruising as a runner and deadly executing play-action, Prescott has a chance to build on his first full year as a starter - a campaign that ended with 41 total touchdowns. Cutting down on turnovers in Mississippi State's marquee games will be key; Prescott was forced into three picks against Alabama last season. If you remove that game from the equation, he was a top-10 quarterback in terms of efficiency last season.
Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss
While Nkemdiche will never approach the kind of stats accumulated by premiere defensive ends, he does impact the game on multiple levels. Commanding double teams on nearly every play, the former top recruit in the country allowed the Landshark defense to live in opposing backfields. The Rebels' 7.6 TFLs per game last fall was good for eighth in the country. He truly anchors their defense, and for that he’s attracted nearly unanimous top-10 NFL draft consideration.
A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
Buzz around Tuscaloosa is that Robinson is primed for a breakout season. Once he got acclimated to Alabama's defensive system, the 6-foot-4, 312-pound road block gave Auburn and Missouri fits down the stretch. His massive wingspan and quick burst allow him to not only occupy double teams, but also shoot gaps as a disruptive force. His 6.5 TFLs last season were particularly impressive given defensive coordinator Kirby Smart’s defensive strategy.
Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
With an offseason altercation involving his stepfather now behind him, the mammoth Tunsil can focus on what should be his last season in Oxford. A two-time All-SEC selection, Tunsil has proven to be the heart and soul of the Rebels' offense, evidenced by Ole Miss's utter collapse in the Peach Bowl following his leg injury. Expect a fully recovered Tunsil to return to All-American form this fall.
Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia
Picking out the Bulldogs’ all-time backfield is getting tougher and tougher. After All-world running back Todd Gurley went down, Chubb not only filled in, but gave Georgia a new edge. His vicious running style quite literally wore down opponents, culminating in an absurd 266-yard, three-touchdown performance against Louisville in the Belk Bowl. Unable to suit up for an NFL team this season, he’ll have to settle for running roughshod over his collegiate counterparts.
Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida
Building an entire defense around one player can be tricky, unless that one player is a supremely talented shutdown corner like Hargreaves. Since the moment he set foot on Florida's campus, this guy has been a superstar. He was first-team All-SEC as a true freshman and first-team All-American as a true sophomore, and his final year in Gainesville promises to bring even more accolades. His swagger and versatility remind many of Joe Haden, but when all is said and done, he may be more decorated than the current Cleveland Brown. The 2015 season will be his chance to cement his status as the greatest to ever play at "DBU."