Ad Disclosure
With 24 sacks in two SEC seasons, Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett returns as the premier pass-rusher in the conference.
He’s not the only player opposing offenses will have to game plan against this year. But a legitimate question persists. Will someone topple Myles — who led the SEC with 12.5 sacks in 2015 — this year?
On a team-by-team basis, here’s a look at the biggest potential threats to Garrett’s throne in 2016.
Alabama
The Crimson Tide will get a huge boost with the return of its top two sack specialists from a year ago. Defensive end Jonathan Allen, who finished just behind Garrett with 12 sacks, is returning for his senior season, as is linebacker Tim Williams, who compiled 10.5.
But Williams isn’t the only Bama linebacker who can take down opposing QBs. Rising senior Ryan Anderson (6 sacks in 2015) and rising junior Rashaan Evans (4) also return, as does defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand, who with a larger role should build upon his 3-sack season for new defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt.
Arkansas
Deatrich Wise Jr., who led the Razorbacks and finished tied for sixth in the SEC with 8 sacks, is returning for his senior season. No other Arkansas player had more than 2 sacks last year, but the Razorbacks are hoping for more from linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who brought down just one quarterback in 2015.
Auburn
Cassanova McKinzy, who led Auburn with 5 sacks last year, has played his last game on the Plains. The Tigers are keeping their fingers crossed that oft-injured defensive end Carl Lawson, who has 5 sacks in 21 games with Auburn, can stay healthy enough to make a bigger impact for new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele in 2016. And perhaps former five-star defensive end Byron Cowart can make more of an impact as a true sophomore.
Florida
Even though last year’s sack leaders — Alex McCalister and Jonathan Bullard, who each had 6 — have played their last games in Gainesville, the Gators have plenty of returnees who can rush the passer. CeCe Jefferson, Joey Ivie, Bryan Cox Jr. and Jarrad Davis are all coming back after each recorded 3.5 sacks last season.
That consistent quartet will look to get help from Caleb Brantley, who made 3 sacks as a sophomore in 2015.
Georgia
With the Bulldogs losing last year’s sack leaders Leonard Floyd (4.5) and Jordan Jenkins (4) to the NFL, someone else will have to step up to rush the passer. That someone could be fellow linebacker Davin Bellamy, who had 3 sacks as a sophomore in 2015.
Kentucky
Linebacker Josh Forrest led the Wildcats with 3.5 sacks as a senior last season. Jason Hatcher was expected tobe the top pass rusher, but UK dismissed him after an offseason arrest. The team returns just 4.5 sacks from a unit that wasn’t all that fierce last season.
Denzil Ware and Courtney Miggins are the holdovers most likely to contribute. Perhaps T.J. Carter, a 6-foot-4, 245-pound defensive end prospect and incoming freshman out of Mableton, Ga., can exceed Forrest’s ’15 total by himself this year.
LSU
New defensive coordinator Dave Aranda has to like the look of his defensive line. For starters, rising senior Lewis Neal is coming off an 8-sack campaign, which left him tied for sixth in the SEC.
Davon Godchaux recorded 6 sacks as a sophomore, and fantastic freshman Arden Key finished one behind him. Deion Jones (5 sacks in 2015) is graduating, but LB Kendell Beckwith (3.5) is returning to bolster the pass rush.
Mississippi State
LB Beniquez Brown (4 sacks in 2015) and Chris Jones (2.5) are taking their pass-rushing talents to the NFL, but sack leader Richie Brown (6) is coming back. A.J. Jefferson, who led Mississippi State’s defensive linemen with 5 sacks last season, also is returning.
Missouri
New defensive coordinator DeMontie Cross has left TCU to come to Columbia, and the defensive line he is inheriting might be the main reason why. Charles Harris (8) and Walter Brady (7) were Missouri’s sack leaders last year, but they aren’t Mizzou’s only returnees with pass-rushing skills.
Defensive lineman Terry Beckner Jr. is coming off a 3-sack freshman season, and with the team expected to play more 3-4 defense, the Tigers are hoping that rising senior Donavin Newsom can give them more than the 2.5 he had in 2015.
Ole Miss
Rising junior Marquis Haynes, who led the Rebels and finished tied for fourth in the SEC with 10 sacks last year, should step up even more with fellow defensive linemen Robert Nkemdiche and Channing Ward having played their last games in Oxford. D.J Jones made 4 sacks during his junior season in 2015 and also figures to play a role.
South Carolina
New head coach Will Muschamp and new defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson have come to Columbia from Auburn. And they’ll get to work with last year’s Gamecocks sack leaders Darius English and Marquavius Lewis, who had 4.5 and 3.0, respectively.
Tennessee
Like Garrett and Haynes, the Volunteers’ Derek Barnett had a terrific sophomore season. The 6-foot-3, 257-pound defensive lineman tied Haynes for fourth in the SEC with 10 sacks.
Linebacker Jaylen Reeves-Maybin, who had 6 sacks last year, is returning for his senior season. Defensive lineman Corey Vereen (3.5 sacks in 2015) and linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. (3.0) are also coming back for new defensive coordinator Bob Shoop.
Texas A&M
Garrett isn’t the only Aggies pass rusher about which opponents have to worry. Rising senior Daeshon Hall is coming off a 7-sack season. Rising junior Zaycoven Henderson chipped in with 3 sacks in 2015, and A&M is expecting more.
Vanderbilt
Despite losing Caleb Azubike (3 sacks in 2015) to graduation, the Commodores should have a decent pass rush this year. Linebackers Zach Cunningham (4.5 sacks last season) and Stephen Weatherly (3.5) are coming back, along with DL Adam Butler, who brought down quarterbacks three times in 2015.
Stan Chrapowicki is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers SEC football, Alabama and Auburn.
