Published February 18, 2013 - 12:55pm
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Even though there are 31 underclassmen and a slew of seniors leaving the SEC, there are many returning starters to look forward to. Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri and Vanderbilt return the most of the East with 15 players per team.
Here’s a look at the SEC East key returners for 2013:
Kentucky
Total: 15
Offense: 7
Defense: 7
Specialists: 1
Key Returners: QB Max Smith, WR Demarco Robinson, DT Mister Coble, LB Alvin Dupree and DT Donte Rumph
Key Losses: WR La’Rod King, OG Larry Warford, C Matt Smith, DE Collins Ukwu and S Martavius Neloms
Missouri
Total: 15
Offense: 7
Defense: 7
Specialists: 1
Key Returners: QB James Franklin, WR Dorial Green-Beckham, WR Marcus Lucas, CB EJ Gaines and LB Andrew Wilson
Key Losses: RB Kendial Lawrence, WR TJ Moe, OT Elvis Fisher, DT Sheldon Richardson, LB Zaviar Gooden and LB Will Ebner
Tennessee
Total: 15
Offense: 5
Defense: 8
Specialists: 2
Key Returners: OL Alex Bullard, OL Antonio Richardson, OL Ja’Wuan James, RB Rajion Neal, RB Marlin Lane, LB AJ Johnson, LB Curt Maggit and FS Brian Randolph
Key Losses: QB Tyler Bray, WR Justin Hunter, WR Cordarrelle Patterson, OG Dallas Thomas, DE Darrington Sentimore and LB Herman Lathers
Vanderbilt
Total: 15
Offense: 7
Defense: 7
Specialists: 1
Key Returners: WR Jordan Matthews, WR Chris Boyd, OT Wesley Johnson, DE Walker May, LB Chase Garnham and CB Andre Hal
Key Losses: RB Zac Stacy, QB Jordan Rodgers, OT Ryan Seymour, DT Rob Lohr, LB Archibald Barnes and CB Trey Wilson
Georgia
Total: 13
Offense: 9
Defense: 2
Specialists: 2
Key Returners: QB Aaron Murray, RB Todd Gurley, WR Michael Bennett, WR Malcolm Mitchell, OL Kenarious Gates, OL John Theus, DE Garrison Smith, CB Damian Swann
Key Losses: WR Tavarres King, DT John Jenkins, OLB Jarvis Jones, LB Alec Ogletree, S Bacarri Rambo and S Shawn Williams
South Carolina
Total: 13
Offense: 7
Defense: 5
Specialists: 1
Key Returners: QB Connor Shaw, QB Dylan Thompson, WR Bruce Ellington, OL AJ Cann, DE Jadeveon Clowney, DT Kelcy Quarles, DE Chaz Sutton and CB Victor Hampton
Key Losses: RB Marcus Lattimore, WR Ace Sanders, C TJ Johnson, LB Shaq Wilson, DE Devin Taylor, Spur Devonte Holloman and S DJ Swearinger
Florida
Total: 12
Offense: 7
Defense: 4
Specialists: 1
Key Returners: QB Jeff Driskel, OG Jon Halapio, WR Quinton Dunbar, DL Dominique Easley, LB Antonio Morrison, CB Loucheiz Purifoy and CB Marcus Roberson
Key Losses: RB Mike Gillislee, TE Jordan Reed, DT Sharrif Floyd, DE Lerentee McCray, LB Jon Bostic, LB Jelani Jenkins and S Matt Elam
Photo Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
