There were 42 players at SEC Media Days this past week, although it wasn’t exactly a star-studded affair.

Because there is a lack of experience at quarterback heading into 2016, only three made their way to Hoover — there were just as many centers. Some premier performers at other positions stayed home, too.

As far as Florida is concerned, second-year coach Jim McElwain brought along junior offensive tackle David Sharpe, senior linebacker Jarrad Davis and senior safety Marcus Maye. Sharpe is vital for a Gators offense in rebuilding mode, while Davis and Maye turned down opportunities to vault to the NFL Draft a year early.

But McElwain’s most talented player is also perhaps his most controversial: junior cornerback Jalen Tabor.

Originally a five-star recruit from Washington (D.C.) Friendship Academy, Tabor intercepted just as many passes (4) as Vernon Hargreaves in 2015 and also broke up many more (14) than the first-round choice (4).

Hargreaves was one of the most celebrated prospects available in the draft this past April — NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said he had the best feet he’s seen from a corner in a decade — and went 11th overall to his hometown Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tabor is on his way to being a millionaire many times over, as well.

While Tabor was absent from The Wynfrey Hotel, he still found a way to go on his own personal media blitz.

When McElwain and his three teammates were busy answering questions from print, radio and TV personalities a week ago Monday, Tabor responded in kind by fielding questions from followers via Twitter and Periscope.

Some of the highlights:

Question: “Who inspires you?”

Tabor: “me”

Question: “Dream car?”

Tabor: “Lamborghini”

Question: “Will it be 12 in a row against the Vols?”

Tabor: “no doubt”

Today, McElwain and Tabor boarded a UF-owned private jet scheduled to make two stops. McElwain was on his way to Bristol, Conn., to make guest appearances on a handful of ESPN programs — what’s known as the “car wash.” Tabor was headed to the media capital of the world: New York City.

Following a tour of the “Good Morning America” set at ABC, he did several interviews for various outlets.

Somehow, this is not considered an extra benefit for a student-athlete in the big, bad world of the NCAA. It’s safe to assume that McElwain didn’t bring any chemistry majors for a ride in the orange-and-blue G6.

This is where college football is going. There is an arms race in the SEC, and unlike the Cold War between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. back in the ’80s, no end is in sight. With programs generating increasingly more dollars, they’ve got to find new ways to spend them. Imagine the plot of “Brewster’s Millions” come to life.

Each SEC coach will be in Bristol this week, but Florida was the only school to add this particular stunt.

Needless to say, come next offseason, every team in the conference will dream up a similar idea. Don’t be shocked if Alabama coach Nick Saban casts one of his players on “Survivor” just to talk more Tide on CBS.

Recruiting is becoming less regional. The prestigious Elite 11 QB Camp, held in Oregon, featured prospects from California, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington this past year. Current recruits will see and/or hear Tabor all over their TVs and radios. That’s good for UF.

Nevertheless, the fact that it’s Tabor being given this kind of nationwide publicity tour is ironic.

Outspoken to say the least, Tabor went on Twitter in January and called college football a “modern form of slavery” — players like him “ain’t get a penny” of the SEC’s reported $527.4 million in revenue for 2015.

Tabor later apologized for the comment, although it was only a half apology since he finished it with “but y’all get the message.” Now here he is on a Gulfstream. Covered head to toe in free swag. Building his brand on a national stage. Even if the SEC isn’t cutting him a check directly, he’s realizing plenty of profits.

Not to mention a free education he’ll probably throw away in favor of early entry into next year’s draft.

Reporters were a bit curious — disappointed, too — when Tabor wasn’t a part of Media Days. But it was easy for McElwain to sell them on the fact that it was a reward for Davis and Maye, who are both seniors.

Yet this was clearly Florida’s grand plan all along. McElwain and Co. would hold down the fort in Alabama, giving canned answers to canned questions in a traditional setting. Meanwhile, the candid-to-a-fault Tabor would have the bright lights and big city to himself a week later. The Gators created their own Media Days 2.0.

Just like the waves upon waves of defensive linemen, the horses are bigger, faster and stronger in the SEC.

That is to say: You’re not getting this stallion back in the stable. Look for LSU defensive end Arden Key on “The Price is Right” or Texas A&M wide receiver Christian Kirk on “Meet the Press” at this time next year.

The NFL has done a scary-good job filling up your calendar. After the Super Bowl, there’s the Scouting Combine in February, free agency in March, the draft in April, mini camps in May, OTAs in June and training camp in July. By August, fans are foaming at the mouth for preseason, regular season and postseason action.

The college football season is longer than ever before. Now the media barrage beforehand is lengthening, too.

John Crist is the senior writer for Saturday Down South. You can send him an e-mail directly at jcrist@saturdaydownsouth.com or follow him on Twitter @SaturdayJC.