ALABAMA: Linebackers
The defense may be better off without Trey DePreist, who couldn’t cover the middle of the field to the sideline, much less sideline to sideline. Reuben Foster and Reggie Ragland are an intimidating duo, and Denzel Devall and Ryan Anderson can get the job done as well. The Crimson Tide loses big-time talent at the position each season, but this year it isn’t so bad.
ARKANSAS: Running backs
No matter that Korliss Marshall is gone. Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins each rushed more than 200 times for at least 1,100 yards. The Razorbacks still claim a ginormous offensive line that should be even better in 2015. Expect more Darren McFadden and Felix Jones comparisons.
AUBURN: Linebackers
This may have been the toughest choice for me. I considered quarterbacks and receivers. Five of the team’s six linebackers on this year’s two-deep roster return, including multi-year starters Cassanova McKinzy and Kris Frost. The two upcoming seniors eyed the NFL draft, but will come back to anchor Will Muschamp’s first defense as a multi-million dollar coordinator.
FLORIDA: Cornerbacks
Vernon Hargreaves III is a potential All-American in 2015, and could be a first-round NFL draft pick after next season. Jalen Tabor, a five-star cornerback who took over as a starter during the middle of the season, should give the Gators a scary one-two cover combo.
GEORGIA: Running backs
Nick Chubb isn’t going to win the Heisman, mainly because he’s a running back. Reasons two and three: Keith Marshall and Sony Michel. Chubb wouldn’t have come close to his numbers if both of them weren’t injured in addition to Todd Gurley’s multiple issues in 2014. Assuming Marshall and Michel are both healthy, Chubb won’t see as many carries per game.
KENTUCKY: Running backs
The team’s top four rushers all return in 2015, led by Stanley “Boom” Williams. Yes, the team recruited a handful of touted receivers in 2014, but the Wildcats may need to shift their play-calling some to maximize the backfield talent.
LSU: Safeties
The Tigers will lose both starters — senior Ronald Martin and junior Jalen Mills — and probably will get better. Mills is headed to the NFL draft, part of LSU’s yearly early migration. But Jamal Adams (five tackles for loss in ’14) and Rickey Jefferson (two interceptions in ’14) should be even better.
MISSOURI: Defensive tackles
Harold Brantley (6-foot-3, 280 pounds) and Josh Augusta (6-foot-4, 335 pounds) are way more athletic than the laws of nature should dictate. Add in a versatile Rickey Hatley (6-foot-4, 285 pounds) who played end and tackle in 2014 and there’s a trio of serious players in the middle of Missouri’s defensive line, which should help its pair of sophomore bookends.
MISSISSIPPI STATE: Quarterbacks
To be fair, this could be singular. Dak Prescott. Responsible for 41 touchdowns in 2014. Enough said.
OLE MISS: Defensive tackles
Though his numbers won’t impress casual fans, Robert Nkemdiche was one of the most dominant interior defensive linemen in the country in 2014. The 6-foot-4, 280-pound Nkemdiche, second-team All-American as a sophomore, should set his basement at first-team this coming season. Issac Gross and Woodrow Hamilton also should return.
SOUTH CAROLINA: Linebackers
Skai Moore and Jonathan Walton are All-SEC caliber players in 2015. Walton especially marveled us during the bowl performance against Miami. Bryson Allen-Williams is a defensive end who may line up at linebacker also, as the Gamecocks traditionally are good at moving around their best athletes on defense.
TENNESSEE: Defensive ends
Curt Maggitt, a hybrid linebacker/defensive end, and freshman All-American Derek Barnett combined for 21 sacks and 35.5 tackles for loss. The Vols have the best returning pass rush in the country based on those numbers, and touted recruits Kyle Phillips and Andrew Butcher both are early enrollees.
TEXAS A&M: Receivers
The Aggies return five of the top six pass-catchers and should add even more young talent in 2015. True, Malcome Kennedy is a big loss, but Josh Reynolds is a first-team All-SEC candidate, Speedy Noil should develop into a true star and Ricky Seals-Jones is a matchup nightmare.
VANDERBILT: Tight ends
Steven Scheu is first-team All-SEC material as a senior and easily could lead the team in receiving for a second consecutive year. Stanford transfer Davis Dudchock was the team’s fourth-leading receiver. They make the best pair of returning tight ends in the SEC East.
An itinerant journalist, Christopher has moved between states 11 times in seven years. Formally an injury-prone Division I 800-meter specialist, he now wanders the Rockies in search of high peaks.
