Breakout spring player for every SEC East team
A record crowd showed up Saturday to watch Jacob Eason’s debut.
To the untrained eye, Georgia’s prized freshman didn’t disappoint. He completed 19 of 24 passes for 244 yards and a touchdown. He completed several long throws, almost perfect throws. He also failed to recognize several blitzes that would have resulted in sacks — or worse — but quarterbacks are untouchable during spring games.
As expected, Twitter erupted after Eason’s first long completion.
Veteran Greyson Lambert did nothing to quell the growing roar that Eason should be Georgia’s opening day starter, either. Lambert, a fifth-year senior, looked like the early enrollee when he tossed a panicked throw toward the end zone that was easily intercepted.
No wonder Kirby Smart did his best to quiet the approaching storm as Georgia’s quarterback competition rolls into the summer.
Kirby Smart on fans who say Jacob Eason should start: "They should go to Coaching 101."
— Mark Schlabach (@Mark_Schlabach) April 16, 2016
Another true freshman also played well, in a more realistic game situation: Eason’s roommate, tight end Isaac Nauta.
Jacob Eason finds Isaac Nauta for the TD. A first in Sanford for both…doubt it's the last. pic.twitter.com/zsgXSlsGGn
— Jake Reuse (@ReuseRecruiting) April 16, 2016
Jacob Eason to Isaac Nauta for the TD. Might be a common thing said this fall
— Mike Reiter (@Mike_Reiter) April 16, 2016
Isaac Nauta is looking to crush souls out there. Guy embraces contact. If you want to tackle him, don't go it alone.
— DawgPost (@Dawg_Post) April 16, 2016
Here’s a look at a breakout performer this spring from the rest of the SEC East.
Florida: Eddy Pineiro
If George Plimpton had written a story about a kicker instead of a pitcher, Pineiro might have been his inspiration.
Having virtually no football experience, Pineiro enrolled in time for spring camp and stole the spring game with several long field goals.
His arrival was celebrated in part because of how much Florida struggled in the kicking game last season.
Breaking: Florida has a field-goal kicker. Eddy Pineiro just hit a 52-yard FG. Don’t care if it’s a spring game that was impressive #Gators
— Edward Aschoff (@AschoffESPN) April 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/P_Woo/status/718601709325389824
So, it's only two kicks but Eddy Pineiro looks like the kind of weapon that can make an average offense look a lot better on paper. #Gators
— Thomas Goldkamp (@ThomasGoldkamp) April 8, 2016
Kentucky: Chris Westry
Drew Barker held off Stephen Johnson and won Kentucky’s starting quarterback job.
But Westry looked like an elite, shutdown corner in Saturday’s spring game.
Spring Game observation #1: Chris Westry is really good
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) April 16, 2016
His size (6-4) makes it difficult for quarterbacks to drop in rainbows over his head, something he proved twice by deflecting deep balls.
https://twitter.com/Scott_Charlton/status/721374647216947202
Throw at Chris Westry? Stoops: "Immediately, I'm like, 'That’s not going to be complete.' " https://t.co/ep4Bogp1MF
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) April 16, 2016
Westry, who had two interceptions as a freshman, is emerging into an SEC star.
Missouri: J’Mon Moore
Moore caught 29 passes for 350 yards and three touchdowns in 2015. A solid sophomore season. The Tigers’ problem was: Moore was the Tigers’ leading receiver last season.
Obviously a lot of that fell on Missouri’s unstable quarterback situation.
Drew Lock has steadied the ship and he and Moore had a productive spring.
They hooked up on a 64-yard catch-and-run touchdown toss Saturday.
.@DrewLock23 hits @jmon_moore for 6! pic.twitter.com/dl23MeaLIH
— ROCK M NATION (@RockMNation) April 16, 2016
“I think Drew did pretty well,” Moore told Missouri’s athletic site. “But that is what I expect from him. Drew isn’t a young guy any more in my eyes. He has to be a leader and he’s been playing like a leader.”
South Carolina: Brandon McIlwain
McIlwain hasn’t won the starting quarterback job, but he had the most impressive camp.
Like Eason, he’s also a true freshman. Unlike Eason, he’s a two-sport athlete and more mobile, giving him a better chance of escaping situations he might help create through a lack of recognition or experience.
The comparisons to Russell Wilson are natural and will only continue to grow.
Samuel on McIlwain: "You could see Brandon keep leading. We're helping him out."
— David Cloninger (@DCPandC) April 9, 2016
The future is HERE! #SpursUp
Brandon McIlwain: 19-26, 169 pass yds, 3 TD https://t.co/iDqYYxanCa pic.twitter.com/laLfRTOe5M
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) April 9, 2016
Tennessee: Preston Williams
Tennessee returns 17 starters. Williams is not one of them, but he showed this spring that he can be a vital piece of the Vols’ downfield attack.
Williams capped an impressive spring by being named the offense’s most improved player.
He battled injuries throughout last season. He caught just seven balls for 158 yards, but two were for touchdowns.
WR's Preston Williams and Jeff George looked great today. They will be key targets moving forward even as get healthy at WR.
— THE VOLUNTEER (@ALLVOLNEWS) April 17, 2016
https://twitter.com/Volquest_Paul/status/720335503204044802
Vanderbilt: Khari Blasingame
Vanderbilt’s offense needs more help than it’s defense, and few groups were more loaded than its linebacker corps.
So Derek Mason moved Blasingame, an inside linebacker who played in 11 games last season, to fullback.
So far, so good. Blasingame bring an obvious physical presence to the point of attack and, a former running back in high school, an ability to finish near the goal line.
Khari Blasingame with the fullback touchdown: pic.twitter.com/oraS2PfkMK
— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) March 25, 2016
The future of @VandyFootball run game. Khari Blasingame. #23. 230lbs. pic.twitter.com/lUg2alC7Zg
— Kara Hammer (@KaraHammer) March 26, 2016