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And that’s all she wrote.
Spring is over and the switch portal panic is in full swing. Forward of the Might 1 deadline to play instantly this upcoming season, we’ll see no scarcity of motion from SEC groups who’re making an attempt to handle areas of weak point.
That’s all nicely and good. In all chance, although, 1 participant gained’t out of the blue wipe a weak point of the board. Except we see some gorgeous switch like Kayshon Boutte bolting for one more program in want of receiver assist, it’s honest to say that stated program will nonetheless have query marks at receiver.
This “space of best concern” is a fluid listing. Accidents occur. Suspensions occur. Fall camp occurs. Shoot, extra transfers occur.
However for now, that is my greatest space of concern for each SEC staff:
Alabama — The offensive line
The spring was a reminder that the Alabama offensive line is way from a classic group, and never simply because it didn’t have anybody who might block Will Anderson. A bunch that struggled in atypical trend final yr misplaced its finest participant in Evan Neal, and is now hoping to guard the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.
The Tide added Vanderbilt’s Tyler Steen, which ought to add some wanted expertise, however in move safety, PFF graded him No. 43 amongst 50 certified SEC tackles. That was barely forward of Chris Owens, who’s the opposite deal with Alabama wants to interchange. Not best, particularly after a yr during which the Tide allowed 41 sacks in 15 video games.
Arkansas — The WR depth
I’m sorry, however any time you’re changing a receiver with 3 instances as a lot manufacturing because the next-closest man, that’s an enormous deal. Jadon Haselwood gained’t fill the huge gap left by Treylon Burks, nor needs to be anticipated to. The 5-star Oklahoma switch is tasked with turning into a go-to receiver for the primary time in his profession.
Trey Knox, who was as soon as thought-about the 1-2 punch alongside Burks in that 2019 class, is taking part in tight finish. Ketron Jackson Jr. has excessive expectations after an encouraging spring, however he’s nonetheless younger coming off a real freshman season during which he caught 5 passes. Malik Hornsby getting reps at receiver is a enjoyable spring storyline, and he might turn into a weapon, however it’s exhausting to ascertain a high-volume function for the transformed quarterback. KJ Jefferson wants some new go-to targets who can get separation if he’s going to take one other step whereas additionally maintaining these turnovers down.
Auburn — The QB room
If I felt like I used to be preventing for my job, I wouldn’t need Auburn’s choices. That sounds harsh, however that’s actuality after the offseason Bryan Harsin endured. TJ Finley and Zach Calzada every have roughly a whole season’s value of lackluster reps towards SEC competitors, Robby Ashford is promising, however he’s by no means performed a snap on the FBS degree and Holden Geriner is a real freshman. It’s not an incredible signal that Finley is the elder statesman of that group having arrived on campus a yr in the past.
Often a quarterback room with 3 Energy 5 transfers has extra favorable choices. Truthfully, the unknown of Ashford appears extra interesting than hoping that Finley or Calzada can out of the blue flip into above-average SEC starters. However even that looks as if a significant query mark for Harsin heading right into a pivotal yr.
Florida — The pass-catchers
Billy Napier has been about as trustworthy as any coach within the nation speaking about how a lot his staff wants so as to add depth earlier than that Might 1 deadline. Receiver could be an incredible place to focus on contemplating that Florida misplaced main receiver Jacob Copeland (Maryland) and No. 3 receiver Kemore Gamble (UCF) to the switch portal whereas the veteran Rick Wells can be out of eligibility. Meaning the Gators are changing 3 of their high 5 receiving leaders, and 5 of the highest 7 should you embody pass-catching backs Dameon Pierce and Malik Davis.
Justin Shorter is again, although he has but to reside as much as that 5-star hype. Maybe a extra regular quarterback state of affairs will result in larger roles for Trent Whittemore and Xzavier Henderson. Anthony Richardson wants guys who can transfer the chains and get separation. If he’s going to remove these errors and assist Florida maintain its head above water in SEC play, go-to targets have to emerge in a rush.
Georgia — The cornerback depth
Outdoors of Kelee Ringo, Georgia as soon as once more has some cornerback wants with Derion Kendrick off to the NFL and Latavious Brini and Ameer Pace off by the use of the portal. Between Kamari Lassiter, Daylen Everette and Nyland Inexperienced, it’s no secret that Kirby Sensible desperately wants one other nook to step up. These guys performed a mixed 169 snaps this previous season, 158 of which got here from Lassiter. He’ll get just a little assist this summer time with Julian Humphrey and Jaheim Singletary arriving, however nonetheless.
The Dawgs had points within the secondary that have been coated up by that all-world defensive position. Life will get more durable in protection once you’re not constantly getting house with 3-4 man rushes. Groups are going to probably keep away from Ringo and attempt to assault UGA’s inexperience on the different cornerback spot.
Kentucky — The defensive position
Josh Paschal was quietly one of many SEC’s high defensive linemen in latest reminiscence. He grew to become a flexible chief within the entrance of Mark Stoops’ protection. Dropping him and nostril deal with Marquan McCall was vital for that group. Kentucky is stocked fairly nicely at linebacker, however the ‘Cats want to seek out some run protection assist. Ideally, that might come by way of former 4-star recruits Justin Rogers and Josaih Hayes together with the rising Octavious Oxendine on the inside. We all know that Stoops usually rotates a number of guys in these spots.
Kentucky made fairly vital strides defending the run final yr. It was the primary top-20 run protection of the Stoops period. It’s not a shock that it coincided with this system’s second successful season in SEC play for the reason that Seventies. Think about that another excuse the ‘Cats can’t afford a big dip up entrance.
LSU — The corners
Brian Kelly took over a staff in want of changing Eli Ricks, Derek Stingley Jr., Cordale Flott and Dwight McGlothern. No huge deal. To Kelly’s credit score, he signed 3 Energy 5 corners in Sevyn Banks (Ohio State), Greg Brooks Jr. (Arkansas) and Jarrick Bernard (Oklahoma State). Good. LSU one way or the other didn’t crack the highest half of the FBS rankings in move protection in 2021, which was a yr faraway from impossibly ending final in 2020. LSU was fairly skinny on the place from a recruiting standpoint in latest reminiscence, even though it had some particular person stars.
These new additions have a steep hill to climb in a division that’s loaded with high-octane passing offenses. The “DBU” nickname ought to in all probability be placed on the again burner in the interim.
MSU — The offensive tackles
Dropping each tackles is a troublesome tablet to swallow for any staff. Dropping each tackles for a staff that throws the ball 50 instances per sport? Yeah, that’s a distinct beast. It’s particularly powerful to interchange an offensive deal with with move safety expertise like Charles Cross (PFF graded him No. 7 total amongst Energy 5 offensive tackles), who is predicted to come back off the board within the first 15 picks of the NFL Draft. Cross actually took his sport to the subsequent degree in 2021, which was one of many causes Will Rogers and the Air Raid might really settle in a bit as a substitute of getting stopped by a mere 3-man move rush. When Cross opted out of the bowl sport, it was a frightening glimpse into what the MSU offensive might seem like with him gone.
Who will step into these new roles? Based mostly on Mike Leach’s feedback within the spring, it’s nonetheless an open battle at proper deal with, however second-year participant Albert Reese might be the man. As for the all-important left deal with spot, JUCO switch Percy Lewis might have the fitting veteran body for the spot (he’s 6-8, 345 kilos) or fellow former JUCO switch Nick Jones, who stepped right into a beginning function within the bowl sport with Cross out, might turn into an choice. Regardless of the case, Leach wants somebody who can turn into a dependable drive like Cross.
Mizzou — The QB room
It’s no secret that Mizzou followers have been pissed off with quarterback play in 2021. That’s why Connor Bazelak is off to Indiana. It’s additionally why Eli Drinkwitz was reportedly within the combine to land Arizona State switch Jayden Daniels and Georgia switch JT Daniels. Each ended up elsewhere. What does that imply? Brady Prepare dinner and Tyler Macon are engaged in a quarterback battle, which true freshman Sam Horn will join in the summer unless he chooses professional baseball.
That’s not best. Not in a division that out of the blue has loaded up on the place by way of the switch portal within the final year-plus. Hendon Hooker, Will Levis and Spencer Rattler might all enter the season on the brief listing of the highest quarterbacks within the nation. That’s not together with the immensely promising Anthony Richardson at Florida, neither is it together with Stetson Bennett IV, AKA the man who gained a nationwide title final yr. In the meantime, Mizzou seems it’ll flip to a very unproven choice. That’s daunting, particularly with Tyler Badie off to the NFL.
Ole Miss — The linebackers
Go determine that Ole Miss might lose its traditionally dominant quarterback, its high 3 working backs, its high 3 receivers and its offensive coordinator, but my greatest concern isn’t even on that facet of the ball. That’s the Lane Kiffin impact. However as we noticed in 2020, Ole Miss has an awfully low defensive flooring and it will possibly revert again there in a rush if new starters don’t rise to the event.
Gone are the likes of Likelihood Campbell, Lakia Henry, Mark Robinson and MoMo Sanogo. These guys performed a mixed 1,890 snaps final season. Campbell particularly was a key a part of that Yr 2 rise with DJ Durkin. With Durkin now gone, new defensive coordinator Maurice Crum wants to seek out the correct mix with restricted returning choices (Ashanti Cistrunk and Austin Keys) and new switch portal choices. TCU switch Khari Coleman and Central Michigan switch Troy Brown might assist fill that void. It’s in all probability not an incredible signal that essentially the most promising participant of that group, Keys, was out for the spring with an ankle damage. Ole Miss could have very 2020 vibes on protection if it will possibly’t work out some choices at linebacker.
South Carolina — The offensive line
What the Auburn, Florida and UNC wins coated up was the principally poor season from the South Carolina offensive line. They have been a hindrance to the scheme that Scott Satterfield wished to run. A promising backfield ended up being No. 93 in FBS in dashing and maybe even extra alarming, it was No. 121 out of 130 FBS groups with simply 9 dashing touchdowns. That wasn’t simply the byproduct of a banged up Kevin Harris, both.
With Rattler now taking up at quarterback, South Carolina ought to have extra groups respecting his downfield accuracy, which suggests fewer loaded fronts. That’s the excellent news. The dangerous information is that the Gamecocks are hoping that improvement and continuity spark a greater total unit. Dylan Wonnum returned for his sixth season, however he was banged up in spring. Tackles Tyshawn Wannamaker is predicted to compete for a proper deal with spot, however he struggled immensely in move safety in 2021. South Carolina returns 3 guys with beginning expertise on the guard spots, although. Maybe that, with the mix of Rattler’s talent set, will enable that group to keep away from being the legal responsibility it usually was in Yr 1 of the Shane Beamer period.
Tennessee — The inside defensive position
I believed Matthew Butler was one of the underrated gamers within the SEC. He performed a flexible, pivotal function up entrance for a bunch that had basement-level expectations with the mass exodus of the Jeremy Pruitt fallout. However now, Butler is gone because the chief of that group and defensive coordinator Tim Banks will search for a brand new alpha up entrance.
Perhaps that’ll be former Kansas switch Da’Jon Terry, who has 2 years as a rotational man on the Energy 5 degree. Elijah Simmons bought a variety of buzz within the spring after shedding some weight. He has freakish athleticism — he was throwing down dunks as a 6-2, 340-pound excessive schooler — and would ideally be the versatile drive that Campbell was. Promising spring or not, somebody who struggled with weight and damage points is being tasked to take over for somebody who not often left the sphere like Butler. With the high-tempo trend that Tennessee runs its offense with Josh Heupel, that place can’t take performs off. It feels inevitable that Tennessee’s run protection, which ranked No. 36 in FBS, takes a step again in a post-Butler world.
Texas A&M — The pass-catching depth
On the floor, you would possibly have a look at the dynamic veteran Ainias Smith and the 5-star true freshman Evan Stewart and suppose that the Aggies will probably be simply wonderful on the pass-catcher spots. However look just a little nearer and it’s simple to see why there’s some concern. The once-promising Caleb Chapman hit the portal, as did former 5-star wideout Demond Demas. Three-year starters Jalen Wydermyer and Isaiah Spiller didn’t line up out broad, however they ranked No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, in catches in 2021. They’re off to the NFL.
On high of that, Smith is generally a slot man and true freshmen like Stewart usually don’t make a big influence in Fisher’s offense. A&M desperately wants Stewart to play like an upperclassman, and it might assist if Jalen Preston and/or Moose Muhammad III grew to become move-the-chains guys out broad. None of these guys has actually proven they will get constant separation downfield within the SEC. If A&M goes to come back wherever close to a division title, it wants a number of non-Smith choices to emerge as regular targets.
Vanderbilt — The offensive line
You already know it’s a nasty signal when the offensive line appears overmatched in a spring sport towards a Vandy protection that had 9 sacks final yr. Sadly for Clark Lea, that’s nonetheless the case. To make issues worse, 3-year starter Tyler Steen left Vandy for Alabama.
The excellent news? 4 different starters are again. Bradley Ashmore is again to begin at deal with, and on the inside, Delvin Xavier Castillo and Ben Cox return at guard beside heart Julian Hernandez. That unit wants a big enchancment after it completed No. 106 in FBS in yards per carry and it ranked No. 123 in FBS in dashing scores. Solely 5 of these 8 dashing scores got here towards SEC competitors, too. It’s nonetheless a trenches league. If Vandy doesn’t get a noticeable improve on the line of scrimmage, that SEC drought will final one other season.
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