Most of the time, the SEC likes to brag about its litany of national championships, All-Americans and NFL draft picks.

This year is no different.

After leading all of college football with 42 selections, here’s 10 players from the SEC you’ll be hearing about this season:

IMPACT FIVE

5. Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina (Buffalo Bills) - The Gamecocks’ three-year starter and former Mr. Football in the state of South Carolina has a chance to be the cornerstone of Buffalo’s defense with a rare combination of athletic ability and ball skills. While he struggles at times against pump fakes and taller wide receivers, Gilmore’s speed should make up for occasional mental lapses in the secondary.

4. Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia (Buffalo Bills) — One of the best “steals” of Day One, Glenn slipped to Buffalo at No. 42 overall and should start from day one for the Bills. Glenn was tabbed with a first-round grade by most experts, so hearing his name called in the second round was a bit of a surprise for the former Bulldog. At 6-foot-5, 350 pounds, Glenn is a monster to run behind. Already one of the NFL’s least-sacked quarterbacks, Ryan Fitzpatrick, is happy if Glenn starts at left tackle.

3. Morris Claiborne, DB, LSU (Dallas Cowboys) — Claiborne will be a star in Big D … in due time. He’ll make an impact this season in the return game and — in certain packages — on defense. He’s a natural ballhawk with 11 interceptions over his final two seasons in Baton Rouge. And please disregard the Wonderlic score! It proves nothing. Claiborne admitted to blowing it off since it doesn’t consist of football-related questions. He won’t have a problem with the Cowboys’ playbook, nor covering some of the NFL’s top wideouts at the line of scrimmage.

2. Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama (Baltimore Ravens) — Whether it’s Upshaw or fellow Alabama linebacker Dont’a Hightower here, both linebackers are interchangeable talents. Upshaw will fit right into Baltimore’s 3-4 scheme as a hybrid pass-rusher and run-stopper. Like Hightower, Upshaw can play off the edge or drop back into coverage with relative ease. Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome traded up to get Upshaw, an impact player who will be on the field more often than not as a rookie. He’ll be in the starting mix according to head coach John Harbaugh.

1. Mark Barron, FS, Alabama (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) — One of five Crimson Tide standouts to be picked in the first 35 selections, Barron brings supreme talent to a unit that under-performed in 2011. The Bucs need all the help they can get on a defense that ranked last in the league with 30.9 PPG allowed. The Bucs also gave up an NFL-high 6.3 yards per play. In the same secondary as veteran corner Ronde Barber, Tampa’s pass defense got a serious hard-hitting upgrade in Barron.

POTENTIAL BUSTS

5. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama (Cleveland Browns) — Definitely a shocking pick as a potential bust, Alabama’s Heisman finalist is a tank that takes no prisoners with the ball in his hands, but shouldering the load in Cleveland after off-season knee surgery raises questions. Richardson could be a serious stud and perennial 1,500-yard running back, he’s that good. The other end of the spectrum seems more likely, at least, early in his career behind an offensive line in Cleveland that struggled last season.

4. Rueben Randle, WR, LSU (New York Giants) — Randle is in a good position with the defending champs, but there was a handful of better options for the Giants at this spot in the draft. Picked to replace Mario Manningham, New York ultimately went with LSU’s most reliable target who blossomed as a junior with eight touchdown receptions. Randle could mature into Eli Manning’s best option on the outside, but that will take a few games, seasons perhaps. This fall, he’ll battle Jerrel Jernigan for the Giants’ third wideout spot behind Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks.

3. Melvin Ingram, DE/LB, South Carolina (San Diego Chargers) — Labeled a tweener by most analysts, Ingram’s lack of size as a defensive lineman raises questions on how he’ll perform at the line of scrimmage in the pros. At 6-1, 260 pounds it seems more likely that Ingram will play linebacker in San Diego or become a third-down blitz specialist. I think it’s laughable that some folks have mentioned Ingram being a weapon on special teams. That worked momentarily at South Carolina, but won’t in the NFL. With that being said, he’s an athletic playmaker that can help in a variety of areas and a safe gamble for the Chargers.

2. Michael Brockers, DT, LSU (St. Louis Rams) — Brockers grew from a 250-pound defensive end as a freshman to an agile, 320-pound tackle over his final two seasons but it’s that added size that could negatively affect his ability to chase down opposing running backs and now, some quarterbacks. As dominant as LSU’s defense was last season, Brockers only had two sacks and didn’t force a fumble, so calling him a feared pass-rusher isn’t exactly accurate. Playing in St. Louis without much talent around him won’t help his cause.

1. Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina (Chicago Bears) — I said it months ago and I’ll say it again: I don’t see Alshon making an impact in professional football. He doesn’t have top-end speed, is a sloppy route runner and has trouble creating separation. Against talented NFL defensive backs, I don’t think he’ll be able to make the same highlight-worthy catches he made during his first two seasons in Columbia. He’s still a formidable downfield threat with great hands and leaping ability, but issues with his speed will be detrimental to his progress. Alshon’s only experience in freezing temperatures was at the Papa Johns Bowl his freshman season. Like most wideouts that afternoon, he had a case of the drops. In the end, he could be Justin Blackmon-good, or just an interchangeable possession guy for quarterback Jay Cutler. The Bears took a chance and hope it pans out.

LSU fans are used to a defensive line that is constantly rotating quality guys in and out, and while that will continue in 2012, they will have to replace a few great players.  DE Kendrick Adams is a tough loss, as well as DT Michael Brockers’ early departure to the NFL.  Brockers and Adams accounted for over 15 tackles for loss, but with Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo returning up front, everything will be fine.  LSU loses three linebackers, with Ryan Baker being by far the biggest loss at LB.  Baker was fourth on the team in tackles with 64.  Safety Brandon Taylor is the lone loss at DB, and I think there are already guys on campus ready to step in and be starters in 2012.

Needs Met: For a team that has so much talent on campus already, LSU didn’t need to sign much to be successful next year.  However, LSU added great players that could help them reach the top in 2012.  The Tigers began replacing depth on the offensive line by signing four guys up front.  OG Vadal Alexander is a steal out of Georgia that will probably break the two-deep depth chart quickly.  Offensive tackle Derrick Edinburg is a giant at 6’8” 320lbs that could have a long career guarding the blind side.  The Tigers also signed QB Jeremy Liggins, who at 6’3” 270lbs draws comparisons to former Kentucky QB Jared Lorenzen.  Lorenzen was called the “Battleship” in college, so who knows what nicknames Tiger fans will come up with for Liggins.  The Tigers signed three WR’s, with Beaux Bridge, LA, teammates Travin Dural and Kavahra Holmes being two quality in-state prospects.

Defensively the Tigers signed five linebackers, and I think that LB Kwon Alexander is a great get from the state of Alabama.  Alexander has great closing speed that will fit well in John Chavis’ defense, but don’t sleep on Lorenzo Phillips who also has the talent to contribute early on.  LSU also signed five defensive backs that will have time to learn from some of the best already on campus, but CB Dwayne Thomas could see time as a true freshman.  Another defensive back that I am interested to watch is CB Derrick Raymond.  Raymond didn’t receive a lot of fanfare, but don’t be shocked to see him contribute in some capacity next year.  While LSU didn’t sign any defensive linemen in this class, don’t be surprised to see guys like Lamar Louis or Trey Granier play with their hand down at some point in their careers.  Both Louis and Granier fit the Sam Montgomery mold of a speed-rush defensive end.

Biggest Get: Kwon Alexander.  Alexander is a LB out of Oxford, AL, and for the Tigers to pull Alexander out of Alabama is a huge steal.

Biggest Miss: Landon Collins.  Alabama snagged the best safety in the country out of Louisiana, and I know that LSU fans hate losing a talented in-state guy to the Crimson Tide.

Final Evaluation: LSU is going to be stacked next year, and this class only adds to the depth and talent that was already on campus.  In my mind, this class gives LSU exactly what they need for another title run in 2012.

Final Grade:  A-

Other 2012 Signing Report Cards:

• Alabama Crimson Tide: A+
• Arkansas Razorbacks: C+
• Auburn Tigers: A-
• Florida Gators: A+
• Georgia Bulldogs: A
• Kentucky Wildcats: C
• Mississippi State Bulldogs: B
• Missouri Tigers: C+
• Ole Miss Rebels: C
• Vanderbilt Commodores: B+

Then I watched this:

Which made me remember this:

Which then reminded me that a completely healthy LSU offense is going to line up and go blow for blow with the BAMA Defense. However, the LSU offense isn’t going to try to land a one-shot haymaker on BAMA like Florida, Ole Miss or Tennessee. LSU has staying power. The Tigers aren’t going to hang for a half and then fade away into a Tide of oblivion in the second half.

Unlike the rest of BAMA’s 2011 competitors, LSU has an arsenal of blunt force trauma weapons at its disposal for this game. LSU’s offense is much like a heavyweight fighter. It is going to pound its opponent with body blows in the early rounds and then turn out the lights with uppercuts to the chin later on.

In between the body blows and knock downs, LSU is going to hit BAMA in the mouth with a 6’1- 280 pound bowling ball on every play. That bowling ball is fullback J.C. Copeland, who is capable of wiping out pairs of linebackers with one block. When he isn’t rolling, a slightly smaller battering ram will be used, James Stampley (5’10 239).

But Copeland and Stampley should be the least of BAMA’s worries. It is the two sledgehammers going full bore into the BAMA defense that should be cause for concern. The first hammer is Spencer Ware (512 yds, 6 TDs). Ware has been called one of the meanest and most violent runners in college football. He has also been called inferior in class to Trent Richardson. Most notably by the man calling Saturday’s classic, Gary Danielson. Don’t think that Ware won’t have that on his mind every time he touches the ball or trucks a defensive back. The second hammer will be freshman Kenny Hilliard, who is still picking parts of Auburn’s D from his cleats. Hilliard, 5’11 240, had his coming out party against Auburn by rushing 10 times for 65 yards and two TDs while wearing at least three Auburn players on every carry. LSU will also be looking to get some traction by using a combination of the two gents above with either Michael Ford or Alfred Blue. Ford’s power and speed has been deadly in the second half as opposing defenses WARE down. Many of his 441 yards are the product of defenses bracing for another gut shot, while Ford springs one to the outside. The Tigers can pound on a team for all four quarters and never fade in the running game. It is what they do, and no team has stopped it this season.

KENNY HILLIARD:

LSU would love to win the game in this fashion, but it has no problems with using a little rope a dope with the passing game as well. It will be a requirement this Saturday. If there is one legitimate chink in BAMA’s armor, it is that the secondary has been pushed around at times in the passing game. Against LSU, the BAMA defensive backs are going to help against the run, and they are going to get a little bruised and tired doing so. That’s when lightning will strike.

Jarrett Lee has led an LSU passing offense that is more effective than efficient. Of the 112 LSU completions, an astounding 80 percent were either for a first down or a touchdown. Reuben Randle is a big reason for the success as he has demonstrated that he is one of, if not the best receiver in the SEC. The junior is averaging over 19 yards per catch and has 638 total yards and seven TDs on the season. Randle would also like nothing more to break BAMA’s back again like he did in 2010, when he had 125 yards and a TD.

LEE TO RANDLE:

Randle won’t be the only passing weapon in play. There are other legitimate receiving threats on the field. The first is Deangelo Peterson versus a linebacker and the others are Russell Shepard and freshman Odell Beckham versus anybody. Peterson is a TE with WR speed and hands that has made teams pay when being covered by slower linebackers. Shepard and Beckham have consistently gotten separation and are a TD threat every time the ball is in their hands. Beckham’s production after the catch reminds many LSU fans of former Tiger great, Josh Reed.
Coincidentally, this weekend is the tenth anniversary of Reed’s record setting 19 catch, 293 yard, one TD performance against Alabama. It might take that type of Herculean effort by an individual to lift the Tigers to victory. Actually, I am pretty certain that a Herculean effort will be seen, but it won’t be from an individual. It will be by a team of oxen that will be pulling and pushing the Tigers up the hill to victory…the offensive line.

There will be glory for a skill player…but it will be a product of unit that has only given up seven sacks and helped clear the way for run game that has amassed 1,512 rushing yards and a 4.3 yard per carry average. If the running backs are blunt force trauma weapons, then the LSU offensive line is a Mack truck. A Mack truck that runs over the opposition in the first half and then throws it in reverse in the second half to do it again…just to make sure the job is done.

Record: 8-0

MVP: The MVP so far through eight games is defensive back Tyrann Mathieu. This kid exemplifies the word animal on defense, albeit a smoking animal, but nonetheless an animal. Mathieu has been dubbed the Honey Badger and with good reason. The kid takes what he wants on defense. Mathieu is tied for the league lead in forced fumbles with Jadeveon Clowney (4), and he has already set an LSU record for forced fumbles (8) for a career. He will be able to add to that over the rest of this season and next year. I think, pound for pound, Mathieu is as good as anyone in the country, and he’s certainly as aggressive as anyone in the country.

Runner-up: Rueben Randle is arguably the best receiver in the SEC this season. Randle has currently leaped to first in the SEC in receiving yards (638 yards), receiving touchdowns (7) and yards per catch (19.3). Randle has really upped his game this season for the Tigers, and he’s been that go-to receiver who LSU can count on. Whether it’s a fly route or an intermediate route, Randle has proven he can get open this year for the Tigers and Jarrett Lee.

Biggest Surprise: No doubt the biggest surprise for the LSU Tigers this season has been Jarrett Lee. Lee has played out-of-this-world good and very efficient in the passing game. He has thrown one interception this season – one! Everyone was pointing to Jordan Jefferson and how he stepped up his game in the spring, and how Jefferson will be the guy to lead this team to the promise land. Well, those plans went away even before the season started with the word of Jefferson’s arrest, and Lee was ready to step up to the plate and take charge. Lee is leading the SEC in passing efficiency (157.4), fourth in passing yards (1,250) and second in passing touchdowns (13). Lee’s emergence at quarterback is probably the leading reason, besides the defense, that LSU is sitting at 8-0 right now.

Biggest Disappointment: The biggest disappointment for the LSU Tigers in 2011 has been Jordan Jefferson’s arrest, and the black eye the fight heard round the college football world left on the Tigers’ program. While Jarrett Lee has stepped up to the plate in a big way this season, Jefferson was thought to move this offense better, both on the ground and through the air. He was playing better in the spring under Steve Kragthorpe, and we all thought it was his time to shine. But that never happened and the rest is history. Who knows, this could have been the best thing that happened to LSU this season, not the biggest disappointment. For now, I will call it a disappointment. If LSU runs the table and goes 13-0, we’ll call it the best thing that ever happened to LSU.

Stat To Note: The biggest stat to note is that LSU is leading the SEC in passing efficiency (162.4), completion percentage (63.6) and fewest interceptions (1). After a tumultuous season a year ago, it looked like all LSU needed to be a National Championship team was a quarterback. Between Jefferson and Lee, it was ugly for 85 percent of the time. However, this year, under much weirder circumstances with Jefferson being suspended early, Lee has raised his game to a new height this year. I love watching this kid play, and I hope Les Miles’ tinkering of the quarterbacks does not interrupt Lee’s confidence or rhythm.

Looking Ahead: The only game that means anything for LSU right now is next week against Alabama. This LSU team is just the perfect team to roll into Tuscaloosa, swagger and all, and pull off one of the biggest regular season games in LSU football history. The talent and athleticism is there, now all Les Miles has to do is taste the grass in Bryant-Denny, and it will be all over.

The 6-4, 210lb wide receiver had a monster game against Auburn, but he’s been doing this all season. Randle now leads the SEC in receiving with 638 receiving yards on 33 receptions. He’s also leading in touchdowns with seven, and he’s averaging a gaudy 19.3 yards per catch.

HERE ARE RANDLE’S TWO TOUCHDOWNS AGAINST AUBURN:

Randle gives LSU that deep threat they can turn to when Alabama plays tight along the line of scrimmage, expecting a Spencer Ware dive. Randle will be huge weapon for the remainder of the season.

However, it has taken him a little bit longer to really arrive on the scene in the SEC – but he’s finally here.

As a freshman, Randle had 11 catches for 173 yards and two touchdowns. As a junior, Randle became a more integral part of the offense, and he caught 33 passes for 544 yards and three touchdowns.

Still, he did not prove he could be the go-to receiver, and he has been more or less in the shadow of Terrance Toliver throughout his career in Baton Rouge.

A year ago, LSU struggled to get the football to their dynamic receivers with Jordan Jefferson at the helm. Jefferson was hit or miss in many games last year, and no rhythm was ever found in the passing game because of it. However, this year, Jarrett Lee is doing a fine job of getting him the ball.

This year, Randle has 23 catches for 446 yards and four touchdowns already. He is averaging 19.4 yards per catch this year, and that is due in large part to Spencer Ware’s ability to run the ball and Jarrett Lee’s ability to sell the play-action.

Randle is reaping the benefits, and he is a formidable threat for LSU this season. He has made himself into a better receiver, and it looks like he is just into the games more than from the previous two years.

Here are few highlights from Rueben Randle this season:

Randle has shown this year he can be a good deep threat and an intermediate threat. He can absolutely bail out the quarterback too by going up and getting the football.

Randle should have a great second half.

1. Houston Nutt, Ole Miss: Houston Nutt is certainly going through some trying times in Oxford right now with the recent struggles of his team and program. Nutt perhaps tried to change his losing luck with a sweet hat, but to no avail. Georgia didn’t play that good of a game, and Ole Miss was never in the game. Nutt has no quarterback, and there is no energy or passion within that program right now. Upon losing the CareerBuilder Bowl last weekend, Nutt has to start thinking about saving his job at some point after the season. A trip to Fresno, California, could greatly help or hurt his status moving forward.

2. Chris Relf, QB, Mississippi State: I still love Chris Relf, but he needs to pick up his game right now. The Bulldogs are 0-2 in SEC play, and they are on the road this week at Georgia. Relf didn’t exactly play that well last weekend, or the weekend before. Last week, Relf often misfired on many passes in the second half before connecting with LaDarius Perkins in overtime. Furthermore, Relf was 2 of 9 passing on third down, and he only made one passing conversion during that time. I was hyping Relf before the season, and I am still on his bandwagon right now – yes, even still – but he definitely needs to step up right now.

3. Arkansas’ Running Game: Before you yell at me and tell me that Arkansas played arguably the best defense in the country in Alabama, I watched the game. The Hogs amassed a mere 17 yards rushing on the day! 17 yards will not win you football games. We knew coming into the year after Knile Davis’ injury, it would be a struggle to find a running game, but Ronnie Wingo and Dennis Johnson are just not the answer right now. And this offense looks to be one dimensional. They will have to win with Petrino-Ball…airing it out.

RISING

1. Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama: Kirkpatrick had all the talent in the world coming out of high school with his lean 6-3 body, and now he is putting it all together. Kirkpatrick was everywhere this past weekend against Arkansas. He is first in the SEC right now with eight overall passes defended, with eight breakups on the year. He is a lock-down corner with great height and crazy athleticism.

2. Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU: The little ball of hate, as LSU writer Robert Hopkins calls him, is absolutely dominant in every aspect of the game. From a defensive back standpoint to returning punts to covering punts, Mathieu has a nose for the ball and just an overall sense of how to be a playmaker. You look the word playmaker up, and there will be a picture of Mathieu. He is dominant right now, and I love watching this kid play.

3. Rueben Randle, WR, LSU: Randle has always been a great athlete, but he has been sort of lost in the mix last year with Terrance Tolliver and an average passing game. However, he has stepped up to the plate this season for the Tigers. Randle caught a team-high six passes for 53 yards and one touchdown a week ago. He dropped another touchdown, but we’ll cut him some slack. Randle has looked more comfortable this year than the last two years. The game is coming to him easier right now, and he and Jarrett Lee really have a great connection going on right now.

When: September 3, 2011

Where: Arlington, Texas – JerryWorld

Game Time: 7:00 PM

TV: ABC

What You Need To Know About Oregon:

The Oregon Ducks are the preseason Pac-12 favorite, and they are the defending runner-up to the Auburn Tigers in last year’s National Championship game. The Ducks return a ton of skill position players, with quarterback Darron Thomas and running backs LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner all returning. Thomas threw for over 2,800 yards and 30 touchdowns. James finished with 1,730 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns.

If you give James or Barner a crease, they will break off a long one real quick.

The Ducks did lose their 1,000-yard receiver in Jeff Maehl.

The Ducks do, however, return only two starters along the offensive line. So it will be interesting to see how this affects their game or ability against another tough defensive line in LSU.

Oregon’s defense will be a physical and athletic bunch, similar to the offense and similar to last year.

What You Need To Know About LSU:

LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson might not even be able to play in this game because of an incident at a local bar. We’ll know more later as we approach the game.

LSU is talented, physical and fast, both on offense and defense.

We’ll get a look at the Tigers’ new offense installed first by Steve Kragthorpe (later resigned from the play-calling duties) and Greg Studrawa (took over for Kragthorpe). That offense may include or may not include Jefferson, but backup Zach Mettenberger certainly looks the part at quarterback. He’s a big kid with a big arm, and he looks really good moving around in the pocket with his footwork.

No matter who the quarterback is, they will need to get the ball to receivers Rueben Randle and Russell Shepard because they are very talented.

Defensively, LSU is going through some changes and questions at linebacker, but the defensive line and secondary will be fine.

Matchup I’m Watching:

For this game, I’m interested in seeing what this LSU defensive line can do to the Oregon offensive line because of the loss of three starters.

You have to think LSU’s defense will be better for the longevity of the season than Auburn’s a year ago, but can they put it together in game one?

If LSU wins this game, it will be close; however, if Oregon wins, it could be two touchdowns or more. I just get that feeling.

LSU has three hot issues they need to get worked out in Fall camp:

1. Transition From Kragthorpe To Studrawa

Former offensive coordinator Steve Kragthorpe resigned from his position due to health issues; however, he will stay on board to coach the quarterbacks. Offensive line coach Greg Studrawa will take over the play-calling duties. Kragthorpe has had this offense all through the spring, and I would imagine they are very used to his tempo and play calling. Now, it does become a slight issue with Studrawa taking over this duty. It is important that Kragthorpe is still coaching the quarterbacks because he has already elevated the play of Jordan Jefferson. This will be an interesting combination moving forward.

2. Figure Out How To Get Russell Shepard More Involved

Russell Shepard has been vastly underused since he arrived on campus in Baton Rouge. This kid has all the talent in the world, but he has been very non-involved when he should be making an impact. He needs to touch the football a minimum of 10-12 times per game to have an effect. If I’m LSU, I game plan around Shepard similar to Florida game planned around Percy Harvin. I would give Shepard the football in every different position, whether it be at wide receiver, Wildcat quarterback and even some tailback.

3. Figure Out Special Teams Issues

Josh Jasper is now gone, and so is Patrick Peterson. Peterson was so dynamic at flipping field position, and it became very important because the Tigers were playing a ton of close games. Jasper’s foot made a difference in some of those close games, too. Whether it’s Tyrann Mathieu, Morris Claiborne, Rueben Randle or anyone else, this position has to have an impact for field position purposes.