The SEC, a perennial powerhouse conference, always seems to have multiple BSC Championship contenders, along with a abundance of talented players, many whom NFL teams are eager to draft once their collegiate careers have ended. From dual threat quarterbacks and star running backs to tremendous offensive linemen and NFL-ready defensive ends, the SEC is arguably the premier conference in the NCAA when it comes to football talent. The numbers give credence to this claim; in the 2015 NFL Draft, 54 players from the SEC were drafted, the most of any conference. By: Cory Burrell
The SEC Media Days, which wrapped up last week, gave fans, scouts, and media members alike a chance to see what is expected of the SEC this year in terms of both players and teams.
Preseason Media Poll
Nothing sums up the expected parity of the SEC more than this year’s preseason media poll. The results of the poll had Georgia winning the SEC East, Alabama winning the SEC West, and the overall SEC Champion being…Auburn, the team picked to finished behind Alabama in the SEC West in the same poll.
Confused? According to the poll, while Alabama received more votes to finish at or near the top of their division, Auburn received more votes to win the championship outright. The media poll has only predicted the SEC Champion correctly five times in the past 23 years, so it may be wise to temper your optimism (or despair, depending on who you root for come Saturday during football season) before putting too much faith in the poll.
The overall rankings for the SEC Champion had Auburn total 96 points, with Alabama in close second with 80 points. Georgia was a distant third with 28 points, and even more distant was LSU, which garnered only nine votes. Out of the remaining 10 teams, only six received any votes to win (first-place votes in parenthesis): Arkansas (3), Ole Miss (3), Tennessee (2), Texas A&M (2), Florida (1), and Mississippi State (1).
On the SEC East poll, Georgia took home the largest share of the first-place votes, with 166 votes to win the East. They ended up beating out second-place Tennessee, who earn 36 first-place votes, by 267 points total. Missouri ranked a distant third with 20 first-place votes and 1196 votes total. South Carolina, Florida, and Kentucky each received one first-place vote and finished fourth, fifth, and sixth respectively. Vanderbilt was the only team in either division not to receive a first-place vote and had the lowest number of points of all 14 teams with 243.
The SEC West had a much more heated poll for first; while Auburn gained the most first-place votes (108), Alabama, with “only” 92 first-place votes, edged out the Tigers in total points by a mere 43 points. LSU grabbed 10 first-place votes and took the third spot, but trailed Alabama and Auburn by about 500 total points. No other SEC West team received double-digit first-place votes and finished in the following order: Arkansas (6), Ole Miss (3), Texas A&M (4), Mississippi State (1).
Preseason All-SEC Conference Teams:
Rounding out the SEC Media Days was the release of the Preseason All-SEC teams.
On the first-team, only 7 of the 26 players were from the SEC East. Alabama alone accounted for 6 first-team selections, the most of any team. Across the first, second, and third teams, the SEC West accounted for 55 of 78 (70.5 percent) of all players named to the SEC preseason teams.
The team most represented across all three preseason teams was Alabama, with 12 selections. LSU and Auburn tied in for the second-most represented team with 10 players each. This further reinforces the SEC this year will be defined by a wild dogfight between the two juggernauts, but also showcases that LSU has the talent, at least on paper, to go toe-to-toe with any opponent on its schedule. Vanderbilt was the only team without a representative on any of the preseason teams.
Without further ado, here is an in-depth look at some of the top players in the SEC this season.
1st Team
QB Dak Prescott Mississippi State Senior, 6’2” 230 lbs.
The sole first-team selection for Mississippi State, Prescott is looking to put the finishing touches on what has already been a remarkable career. The fifth-year senior (Prescott redshirted his true freshman year in 2011) broke out last year at the helm of the Bulldog’s offense, passing for 27 touchdowns and 3,449 yards for a QB rating of 151.7, all significant improvements from his solid junior season in 2013 (1,940 passing yards, 10 passing touchdowns, 126.6 QB rating). Prescott was dangerous on the ground as well; the mobile quarterback rushed for 986 yard along with 14 scores. While his rushing totals last season were slightly better than his junior season (829 rushing yards with 13 TDs), Prescott’s efficiency as a runner took a hit; He averaged 4.6 yard per carry in 2014, compared to 6.2 YPC in 2013.
Prescott earned All-SEC First-Team honors last season and was a finalist for several prestigious national awards, most notably finishing in eighth place for the Heisman. Despite his collegiate success, however, Prescott may not be thought of as highly by NFL executives; Prescott considering entering the 2015 NFL Draft, but after receiving his draft grade from the NFL (which Prescott chose not to reveal to the public), Prescott chose to return for his senior season.
Prescott already owns the school records for most rushing TDs by a quarterback (31), highest pass completion percentage (418 of 692 for a .605 completion percentage) and the highest winning percentage by a starting quarterback ( 14-6 for a .700 winning percentage). He should easily break the school’s records for career passing yards and passing touchdowns, needing only two touchdowns and less than 800 passing yards to claim both. The school record for most career rushing touchdowns is less a guarantee, needing 12 rushing touchdowns to break Anthony Dixon’s record. However, Prescott has scored 13 and 14 touchdowns in both of his seasons as a full-time starter, making this record very obtainable.
Prescott has already cement himself as one of the most versatile weapons in Mississippi State history. The Bulldogs are expected to make very little noise in the always-competitive SEC according to the SEC preseason poll. An impressive season by Prescott could help Mississippi State be much more competitive than expected and improve his standing in the eyes of NFL teams.
RB Nick Chubb Georgia, Sophomore, 5’10” 220 lbs.
Since 2000, there has only been one unanimous selection to an All-SEC Preseason First-Team: Darren McFadden prior to the 2007 season. While not a unanimous selection, Chubb came close, earning the most votes of any player on the conference first team.
The sophomore running back had an electric start to his collegiate career last season. He started the season as a backup to star running back Todd Gurley, but after Gurley’s season ended only six games into the season with an ACL tear, Chubb took over as the starter. Chubb ran for 1,547 yards and 14 touchdowns on 219 carries, giving him an incredible 7.1 YPC. Despite starting only eight games (he appeared in 13 games total), Chubb’s 1,547 rushing yards tied him for the fourth-best rushing season in school history. He also added 213 receiving yard and two receiving touchdowns to his stat line. Chubb ended his freshman season as the SEC leader for several categories, including most yards from scrimmage and most touchdowns, and was named SEC Rookie of the Year.
With Gurley gone for greener pastures in the NFL, Chubb will be a focal point of a Georgia team picked to win the SEC East by the SEC preseason poll. If Chubb continues to produce on the field for the remainder of his collegiate career, he may be just as highly-touted an NFL prospect as his predecessor Gurley.
RB Leonard Fournette LSU Sophomore, 6’1” 230 lbs.
While Chubb may have stolen the show last year among SEC freshman, he was not the only one starting to turn heads. Case in point: Leonard Fournette. A highly-recruited prospect back in high school, Fournette received only six starts (13 appearances total) but made the most of them. Fournette received less than 200 carries on the season, yet still managed to break 1,000 yards with 10 touchdowns. The speedy back also proved to be a valuable kick return man, returning 24 kicks for an average of 26 yards a return, including an electrifying kickoff return touchdown against Notre Dame in the Music City Bowl.
LSU is a deep team at running back: LSU’s roster lists two fellow sophomores and three freshmen alongside Fournette at running back. Last season, no Tiger reached 200 carries, with Fournette receiving the most with 187. However, Terrence Magee, who got the second-most carries for LSU in 2014, now in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens, and Fournette appears to be the most talented and proven back on this year’s squad. Fournette should once again get the lion’s share of LSU’s carries and be a valuable weapon on this crafty LSU team.
WR Laquon Treadwell Ole Miss Junior, 6’2” 229 lbs.
Treadwell, the 2013 SEC Freshman of the Year, was showing marked improvement in his sophomore season: In just nine games, Treadwell had the same amount of touchdowns (five) and slightly more yards (632) than he did in 13games with more receptions the previous season. Unfortunately for Treadwell and Ole Miss, Treadwell suffered a broken fibula and dislocated ankle toward the end of a loss against Auburn, sidelining the wide receiver for the rest of the season.
Although there is some uncertainty with Treadwell because of the injury, Ole Miss Head Coach Hugh Freeze told the press during SEC Media Days he is confident in Treadwell’s recovery.
“I’m anxious to get pads on him and see how he responds when the ball’s a little high and in traffic,” Freeze said. “That kid is extremely determined to make a full recovery, and I think he has.”
Aside from injury concerns, few question the Laquon’s talent. Coming out of high school, Laquon was considered the top wide receiver recruit of the 2012 class. Optimum Scouting’s Eric Galko ranked Treadwell 15th in his “Way Too Early Top-32 Big Board,” stating that “With an NFL body to play on the perimeter, Treadwell could jump to top-10 status with a strong junior season and adequate quarterback play.”
WR D’haquille Williams Auburn Senior, 6’2”, 224 lbs.
A junior college transfer, Williams instantly stood out in his first season at the Divsion I level as the top threat in Auburn’s passing game. Williams led the team with 45 receptions, 5 touchdowns, and 730 yard, the latter which was good for eighth-best in the SEC. Williams made a huge impact on almost every game he played in; in the 10 games Williams played last season, he broke 100 yards four times. Williams was also a consistent playmaker; he failed to gain at least 60 yards only four times, one of those four times being against Texas A&M when Williams left the game early after hurting his knee.
Optimum Scouting’s Eric Galko included Williams on his “Way Too Early Top-32 Big Board” at 21st overall. Galko said Williams has “NFL-starter upside” with “great bulk and physicality,” but still “needs to develop in his senior season to merit a first-round pick.”
TE Evan Engram Ole Miss Junior, 6’3” 227 lbs.
Engram is one of the top receiving tight ends to ever play at Ole Miss, not to mention being one of the top-tier tight ends in the college. He ranks in the top four in school history for career receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns by a tight end. Last year Engram broke an Ole Miss single-season record for most receiving yards by a tight end with 662, also the best among all tight ends in the SEC. His average yards per reception of 17.4 was best among all tight ends in the nation and seventh among all SEC players. Engram also scored twice, bring his career touchdown total to five.
The starting quarterback situation at Ole Miss is up in the air, but with weapons like Treadwell and Engram, the Rebels could be one solid starting quarterback away from fielding an explosive offense that will give opposing defensive coordinators nightmares.
OL Cam Robinson Alabama Sophomore, 326, 6’6”
Cam Robinson was a rarity last season at Alabama; he was the first true freshman to start at left tackle for the Crimson Tide since Andre Smith, now an NFL starter for the Cincinnati Bengals, manned the position in 2006. Robinson took hold of the spot and never let go. He played all 14 games last season and a total of 861 snaps. He personally surrendered only 3sacks, and the line as a whole only gave up only 16 sacks, the 14th-lowest sack rate among all teams in the nation and behind only Auburn and Arkansas (15 and 14 sacks allowed respectively) in the SEC.
A first-team freshman All-American, expect Robinson to continue being a vital piece of the traditionally-stalwart offensive line Alabama in this year and in the following seasons.
OL Laremy Tunsil Ole Miss Junior, 6’5”, 305 lbs.
Tunsil is an outstanding offensive tackle for the Rebels, considered by many one of the finest offensive line prospects in the nation. Unfortunately for Tunsil, the news around him lately has been less about his football prowess and more on an increasingly complex and messy off-the-field issue threatens to potentially derail junior’s 2015 season.
According to a police report obtained by The Clarion-Ledger, Tunsil was arrested on charges of domestic violence after assaulting Lindsey Miller, Tunsil’s stepfather. Tunsil said he was trying to defend his mother, Desiree Tunsil, from Miller. Laremy Tunsil and Desiree have filed charges against Miller, and Miller has filed charges against Laremy and Desiree. Both parties have been in court over the matter already, with Miller representing himself. So far, a judge dismissed a protective order against Laremy filed by Miller July 10. Both parties are set to return to court August 3.
According to The Clarion-Ledger, Miller accused Tunsil of improperly meeting with agents, which contributed to the domestic incident. Miller’s accusations prompted the NCAA and Ole Miss to launch investigations to determine if any violations occurred. According the The Clarion-Ledger, Chris Howard, the NCAA’s director of enforcement for football, personally interviewed Miller for approximately three hours as part of the NCAA’s investigation. While Miller refused to describe the meeting with Howard to The Clarion-Ledger, Miller previously told the publication he was aware of several alleged violations that occurred during Tunsil’s recruitment and with player agents, including claims of falsified academic records and gifts made by the university.
It is unclear how this incident, as well as the investigations by the NCAA and Ole Miss, will resolve and what, if any, effect it will have on Laremy upcoming season, his draft stock, or even the Ole Miss football program as a whole. When asked during the SEC Media Days, Ole Miss Head Coach Hugh Freeze said the school was willing to “fully cooperate” with all ongoing investigations and hopes for a quick resolution to the affair.
“We will fully cooperate with whoever wants whatever process is going on,” Freeze said. “I don’t know anything. No one has talked to me, but I do know that I’m confident in who we are and how we do things, and I’m confident in the person that Laremy is…Whatever else is involved with the process, we’re going to cooperate with. Hopefully it’s resolved soon.”
OL Vadal Alexander LSU Senior, 6’6”, 320 lbs.
Alexander has been a stalwart on LSU’s offensive line since his freshman year in 2012. With 34 career starts and 38 game appearances total, Alexander will be one of the most experienced players to play for LSU this upcoming season. Alexander brings much more than experience to the Tigers; his great size and overwhelming strength have been a boon for LSU’s running game, which has had a 100-yard rusher in more than half of Alexander’s starts. Alexander has started as both a left guard and right tackle throughout his career. This versatility gives LSU flexibility with its offensive line and makes Alexander an even more tantalizing for NFL teams in need of a boost to their line.
Optimum Scouting’s Eric Galko touted Alexander as “one of the best guard prospects since his [Alexander’s] freshman season” on his “Way Too Early Top-32 Big Board,” where Alexander ranks 26st overall. Galko said Alexander’s “great length and use of his thick frame” could make the senior “one of the rare guard prospects to merit a top-15 pick for a team looking for a possible All-Pro talent.”
OL John Theus Georgia Senior, 6’6”, 303 lbs.
Another experienced senior offensive tackle, Theus has been a full-time starter since his freshman season in 2012. In that time, Georgia has ranked among the top 25 offenses in the nation in points scored, including last season, where the Bulldogs averaged a scorching 41.3 points per game, the eighth-highest total among all NCAA teams. Georgia has always been stocked with talented players on offense in recent seasons, such as sophomore running back Nick Chubb. If Theus and the rest of the line continue their solid play on the line, Chubb and the rest of the Bulldogs will be able to showcase their abilities to their fullest, at the expense of the rest of the SEC.
OL Ryan Kelly Alabama Senior, 6’5”, 297
Kelly, a two-year starter at Center for the Crimson Tide, has been a textbook example of consistent offensive line play. Last season, Kelly played 806 snaps over 12 games, where he missed only seven assignments and did not allow a sack. In half of Kelly’s starts, Alabama had a 100-yard rusher. The anchor to an all-around strong offensive line, look for Kelly to contend for major end-of-season awards this year, including the Rimington Trophy, given to the nation’s top center.
DL Robert Nkemdiche Ole Miss Junior, 6’4” 296 lbs
Nkemdiche will get a lot of attention from everybody this year, including scouts, opposing offensive lines, awards committees, and fans (The junior discovered the “fun” the latter group’s attention may bring last year, when Tennessee fans posted a photo online allegedly of Nkemdiche smoking a bong). Nkemdiche showcased insane athleticism in his career so far and was a major reason Ole Miss ranked as the top defense in the nation last year. Do not be surprised when the junior is at or near the top of virtually every award he can be eligible for, from All-SEC and All-American nominations to the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award.
Optimum Scouting’s Eric Galko gave high praise to Nkemdiche, ranking him as the second-best defensive tackle and ninth-best player overall in the “Way Too Early Top-32 Big Board.” Galko said if Nkemdiche “can take the next step as a junior, Jadeveon Clowney-like hype could be coming.”
DL A’Shawn Robinson Alabama Junior, 6’4”, 312 lbs.
On a team with physical, punishing defensive linemen are the norm, Robinson still finds a way to stand out. The junior bullied O-lines and disrupted offenses all season as part of the Crimson Tide’s defense, the sixth-best in the nation in points allowed last season. Robinson’s pure strength coupled with his high football IQ made him a force on the field, while his versatility (Robinson played multiple positions on the line last season, from nose guard in the base 3-4 to five-technique defensive end in schemes with extra defensive backs) gave Alabama the flexibility to use different formations while still allowing one of its defensive stars to stay effective.
DL Myles Garrett Texas A&M Sophomore, 6’5”, 260 lbs.
Individual stats do not always give the most accurate picture of the impact a defensive linesman has for a team. That statement does not apply to Garrett. Last season, Garrett owned the school record for sacks in a single season by the sixth game. When the season ended, he had shattered the record for sacks by an SEC freshman with 11.5, previously set in 2011 by Jadeveon Clowney with eight. He ended the season with the 10th-most sacks in the nation and as the team leader in tackles for loss (14) and QB hurries (9). Aside from Garrett, the Aggies fielded a fairly mediocre defense last year, allowing a generous 28.1 points per game (80th-best in the nation), and no other defensive Texas A&M player besides Garrett earned a spot on the preseason first, second, or third SEC teams. Without more help from his team, Garrett will likely deal with a lot of attention and double teams all season long as offensive lines attempt to slow down the only true presence on the Aggie’s defense.
DL Carl Lawson Auburn Junior, 6’2′,’ 257 lbs.
Lawson’s tremendous freshman season in 2013 promised great things to come. The top-ranked defensive end coming out of high school earned significant playtime for the eventual BCS Championship runner-up, recording four sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles on the season. Lawson’s sophomore season ended before it even began when Lawson needed reconstructive ACL surgery. According to the preseason voting, SEC coaches, expect Lawson will not miss a beat in his comeback season. Auburn Head Coach Gus Malzahn said he expects Lawson to give a tremendous boost to Auburn’s pass defense this season.
“We had trouble putting pressure on the quarterback [last season],” Malzahn said during his press conference at the SEC Media Days. “Not having Carl, that really hurt us last year.”
LB Reggie Ragland Alabama Senior, 6’2”, 252 lbs.
Last year, in his first season starting for the Crimson Tide, Ragland did a little bit of everything. The linebacker accumulated 95 total tackles (including 11 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks), picked off a pass, defended four other passes, forced a fumble, and led the team with three fumble recoveries. Alabama will hope for a similar season from this jack-of-all-trades defensive player.
LB Jordan Jenkins Georgia Senior, 6’3”, 253 lbs.
Productive, consistent, versatile, and athletic; Jenkins provides everything you could ask of from a linebacker and more. In every season since his freshman year, Jenkins has recorded five sacks and at least 8 tackles for loss, a defended pass, and a forced fumble. The senior’s tackle totals have also steadily increased every year. Able to effectively play in both 3-4 and 4-3 schemes, Jenkins dominates collegiate offenses with his combination of quickness and explosiveness. This same combo makes Jenkins a very attractive choice for NFL teams looking for an NFL-ready linebacker in the 2016 draft.
Optimum Scouting’s Eric Galko has Jenkins as the best linebacker and fifth-best player overall in his “Way Too Early Top-32 Big Board.” Galko calls Jenkins a “special athlete at linebacker” who “can offer pass-rush ability and in-space tackling ability at a very high level” and “should emerge as one of college football’s most productive defenders.”
LB Curt Maggitt Tennessee Senior, 6’3”, 246 lbs.
Maggitt is a great example of how ACL surgery is no longer a guaranteed kiss of death for athletes today. After missing part of 2012 and all of 2013 (his redshirt season) thanks to torn knee ligaments, Maggit returned for an impactful season as the Volunteers’ defensive leader. Maggitt recorded 15 tackles for loss and 11 sacks (both career highs) along with a forced fumble. After a barely-above-.500 7-6 season last year, Tennessee was selected second in the SEC West in this year’s SEC preseason poll. Maggitt will need to have another productive season if the Volunteers wish to compete against a loaded Georgia team for the top spot of the SEC West.
DB Vernon Hargreaves III Florida Junior, 5’11”, 199 lbs.
Florida did not feel much love from the preseason poll, finishing last (tied with Mississippi State) in the poll. That does not mean the Gators are devoid of talent though. Enter Hargreaves, Florida’s only first-team representative. The undersized cornerback often gets the best of receivers several inches taller than himself, thanks to great body control and timing. Optimum Scouting’s Eric Galko pegs Hargreaves as the second-best cornerback and 20th-best player overall in his “Way Too Early Top-32 Big Board,” calling Hargreaves a “first-round talent” with “remarkably fluid hips” and “finishing ability at the catch-point.”
DB Cyrus Jones Alabama Senior, 5’10”, 196 lbs.
Three years ago, Jones, a five-star wide receiver recruit coming out of high school, struggled to have any meaningful impact on the field, picking up a paltry 51 yard on four catches over the course of 11 games. Jones moved to defense as a cornerback the following season and never looked back. Last season, Jones picked off three passes, defended 13 other pass attempts, forced two fumbles, and returned another fumble for a touchdown. Two months ago, Jones’ senior season appeared to be in potential jeopardy following his arrest for criminal mischief and harassment (domestic violence), but two days later the charges were dropped when Tuscaloosa police determined Jones “attempted to deescalate the situation by contacting the Tuscaloosa Police Department.”
DB Jonathan Jones Auburn Senior, 5’10”, 181 lbs.
Jones came back from a broken ankle that severely hampered his 2013 season for an exceptional 2014 season. As a junior, Jones snagged six interceptions and defended 12 other pass attempts. With teammate and fellow first-team selection Carl Lawson returning from an ACL injury this season, Auburn should generate more pressure on opposing quarterbacks and gives Jones even more chances to cause turnovers this season.
DB Jalen Mills LSU Senior, 6’0”, 194 lbs.
Just as teammate Vadal Alexander gives the Tigers an experience veteran presence on offense, Mills provides the same leadership for LSU’s defense. Mills has started all 39 games of his collegiate career, something no other LSU player has done on this year’s squad. Mills can play both safety and cornerback as the situation demands; this adaptability serves Mills well in college and will continue to be a valuable asset when the 2016 NFL Draft rolls around.
NFL teams looking for a valuable, flexible defensive back in the 2016 draft will be eyeing Mills eagerly and early. Optimum Scouting’s Eric Galko sees Mills as the best defensive back and seventh-best player overall accord to his “Way Too Early Top-32 Big Board.” Galko said Mills will continue “LSU’s reputation of pumping out great defensive back” in the NFL and “could have been in the first-round mix” in the 2015 draft if he left for the NFL after last season.
P JK Scott Alabama Sophomore, 6’5”, 195 lbs.
Last year, Scott did one of the most thankless jobs in football, punting, better than anyone else in the nation. As a true freshman, Scott averaged 48 yards per punt, the best in the NCAA and a single-season school record. Of Scott’s 55 punts, 31 of them (56.4 percent) landed inside the opposing team’s 20-yard line, also best in the nation. A first-team All-American and All-SEC player last year, Scott will give Alabama some breathing room in games where the offense struggles to find a rhythm and stalls out.
PK Marshall Morgan Georgia Senior, 6’3”, 194 lbs.
Morgan provides the Bulldogs with an accurate, consistent kicking game. The senior has set several SEC and school records over the past three seasons, including most consecutive made PATs in school history (67) and most consecutive field goals made in SEC history (20). Last year, Morgan led the SEC in scoring with 115 points and made 16 of his 12 field goal attempts, his longest a 53-yard boot against Charleston Southern. Georgia boasts a proficient offense led by star back Nick Chubb; they should not to be forced to rely on long field goal tries too often. Still, Morgan provides the Bulldogs with a security blanket for drives that stop short of the end zone.
RS Speedy Noil Texas A&M Sophomore, 5’11”, 187 lbs.
Noil was a speedy asset for the Aggies as both a kick returner and a part-time wide receiver. Noil was Texas A&M’s primary kick and punt returner. While Texas A&M did not return any kicks or punts for touchdowns in 2014, Noil averaged a respectable 23.9 yard per kick return and 12 yard per punt return. He led the team with 1,418 all-purpose yards, 5th-most ever by a freshman for the Aggies. As a wide receiver, Noil caught 46 passes for 583 yards and 5 touchdowns, third-most on team in both receiving yards and touchdowns. For rather murky and undisclosed reasons, Noil was absent from the team during the past spring training, but has returned with seemingly no issues and appears to be in good standings with the team. Noil is an explosive talent for the Aggies both on returns and in the passing game; Texas A&M will be interested in which aspect of his game develops more this season.
AP Pharoh Cooper South Carolina Junior, 5’11”, 208 lbs.
The only Gamecock to find a spot on the preseason SEC first-team, Cooper is an all-purpose back who can do a make plays as a runner, receiver, and even passer every once in a blue moon. Cooper totaled 200 yards and two rushing scores on 27 attempts, giving him a very healthy 7.4 YPC. It was Cooper’s work as a receiver, however, that really made the junior get noticed: Cooper led the team with 69 catches, 1,136 receiving yard and nine touchdown catches. He ranked in the top six among all SEC players in all three categories, and he trailed only Alabama’s Amari Cooper (now playing in the NFL with the Oakland Raider) in the SEC in total receiving yards. Cooper will once again play a vital role for South Carolina, especially as a receiver, as he will hope to replicate the tremendous success he had last year.
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