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In an era in which most rules are designed to protect quarterbacks and receivers, it’s more important than ever for teams to have talented players in the secondary.
Guys that can abide by the strict enforcement of pass interference and targeting regulations, for example, and still make plays and prevent plays.
Like at every other position, the SEC is flush with talented players in the secondary. Five SEC players from the secondary were selected in the 2015 NFL Draft, and at least six more are projected to be chosen in this year’s draft.
Despite the steady stream of guys moving on to the pros, every team in the league returns at least two starters from last season — a year in which five conference teams held opponents under 200 yards passing per game.
That makes picking the top five returning secondary tandems a tough chore:
5. TEXAS A&M — ARMANI WATTS AND DONOVAN WILSON
Texas A&M might be better known for its pass rush, but it starts 2016 with a pretty good pair of safeties.
Watts was second in the SEC in tackles from his free safety position last fall, finishing with 126. The rising junior also picked off a pass and added six tackles for loss.
Wilson, who played a lot of nickel, was third in the SEC last season with five interceptions.
Justin Evans, who was third on the team with 78 tackles, also returns.
4. GEORGIA — DOMINICK SANDERS AND MALKOM PARRISH
Sanders finished tied for the league lead with six interceptions, and returned one for a touchdown against Vanderbilt. He also added 48 tackles during an All-SEC season.
Parrish added two interceptions to go with his 42 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and a sack.
Georgia’s other two secondary starters, safety Quincy Mauger and cornerback Aaron Davis also return for the league’s stingiest defense against the pass in 2015.
3. ALABAMA — EDDIE JACKSON AND MARLON HUMPHREY
Jackson was electrifying from his strong safety position last season, tying Sanders for the league lead with six interceptions while returning two for touchdowns. When he wasn’t making SportsCenter for his dazzling returns, he chipped in 46 tackles and three tackles for loss en route to All-SEC honors for the national champions.
Humphrey had an outstanding freshman season, picking off three passes and breaking up eight more. He also added 45 tackles. We could just as easily list the other corner, Minkah Fitzpatrick, in this space. His numbers are similar to Humphrey’s, and with those three, the Crimson Tide secondary should be stout again this fall.
2. LSU — TRE’DAVIOUS WHITE AND JAMAL ADAMS
Both players wound up as second-team All-SEC selections last fall, and both will be looking to go one better in 2016.
White, a rising senior cornerback, didn’t have an interception last season, but that was because opposing quarterbacks mostly decided to try their luck elsewhere. He broke up seven passes while recording 44 tackles for the Tigers.
Adams was a bit busier in terms of pass defense from his safety spot, and he responded with four interceptions. He was also third on the team with 67 tackles, including five for loss.
1. FLORIDA — JALEN TABOR AND MARCUS MAYE
Tabor is the heir apparent for last year’s shutdown corner role occupied by Vernon Hargreaves III. Playing opposite the future NFL first-round pick, Tabor was pretty hard to handle in his own right in 2015, picking off four passes and returning two for touchdowns.
He also made 40 tackles on his way to earning first-team All-SEC honors in his sophomore season.
Maye is a punishing hitter from the safety spot, racking up 82 tackles and five forced fumbles last season. He also pulled down a pair of interceptions, proving he’s not just a bruiser.
Randy Capps is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers SEC football, South Carolina and Georgia.
