Encore: Which All-SEC players will be even better in 2018?
By Andrew Olson
Published:
For many SEC players, making the all-conference team means it’s time to move on, whether that’s by graduating or leaving a year early for the NFL.
The two most recognized All-SEC teams are generated by votes from the Associated Press and the conference’s head coaches. Both groups nominated players to first- and second-team offense and defense as well as a few specialists. Coaches and AP writers don’t always agree. For the 2017 teams, 63 players received All-SEC designation from the AP, coaches or both. (There were actually 64 spots awarded as Ole Miss WR A.J. Brown was named a unanimous first-team wide receiver and a second-team all purpose player/return specialist by the coaches.)
Of those 63 honorees, only 22 are returning for 2018. A year ago, there were also 22 players from the two teams returning from the 2016 team. Not surprisingly, the players who stand out the most to coaches and AP writers are those either entering their final season of eligibility or displaying NFL-ready talent.
Also seemingly obvious is that All-SEC performances are hard to top. Missouri QB Drew Lock was a unanimous first-team selection last season after throwing for 3,964 yards and a single-season SEC-record 44 touchdowns. Lock might very well have a great 2018, but he has a very high bar to clear for an even better season than 2017.
Some of the other All-SEC selections, however, look to be entering more favorable situations in 2018. Here are five returning All-SEC players who will be even better:
1. Kentucky RB Benny Snell Jr.
It won’t be easy for Snell to have a better season than 2017. Last year, Snell was a model of consistency, averaging 20.15 carries per game at 5.09 yards per carry en route to 1,333 yards recorded over 13 games. Auburn’s Kerryon Johnson was the only SEC running back to average more carries per game last season (23.75).
Snell’s sophomore performance shows he can handle the workhorse role without getting worn down. His best performance of 2017 came against Louisville, the regular-season finale, when he gained 211 yards on 29 carries. Without a clear starting quarterback, don’t be surprised to see offensive coordinator Eddie Gran lean on Snell even more in 2018 and increase the junior running back’s workload. Snell has consistently averaged more than 5 yards per carry in both seasons at UK, it only makes sense for the Wildcats to take advantage. A third consecutive 1,000-yard season seems likely.
2. Auburn QB Jarrett Stidham
The Tigers won the Stidham transfer sweepstakes and then went on to win the SEC West with regular-season victories over Georgia and Alabama. Prior to 2017, AU had been in a three-season rut of dropping the Iron Bowl and failing to make it back to the conference championship game. Auburn getting almost 116 rushing yards per game from Johnson while giving up only 18.5 points per game on defense certainly boosted Gus Malzahn’s squad in 2017, but watching the Tigers, it felt like Stidham was the player who got them over the hump in the division.
A second-team selection, Stidham threw for 3,158 yards last season. He posted the league’s highest completion percentage (66.5), but was fourth in the conference in attempts per game (26.4). The Tigers’ biggest question is how they will replace the SEC’s past two leading rushers, Johnson and Kamryn Pettway. Without a returning 1,000-yard rusher, AU offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey might call more passing plays. If Stidham is asked to throw more, the stats indicate he’ll complete the majority of those increased attempts.
RELATED: Who will have the bigger year — Stidham or Lock?
3. Alabama DL Raekwon Davis
Davis is already a force (and at 6-7, 308 pounds, a massive force) on the Alabama defensive line. Named to the first team by the coaches and second team by the AP, Davis was third on the Crimson Tide in tackles (69), second in tackles for loss (10) and first in sacks (8).
The path is certainly clear for Davis to become the team leader in all three categories in 2018. Safety Ronnie Harrison and LB Rashaan Evans, who co-led in total tackles with 74, have moved on to the NFL. Evans was also the team leader in TFL (13).
Alabama set a record this spring with 12 players selected in the NFL Draft. Eight of those picks played defense, leaving some big shoes to fill. After so many departures, Davis seems to be the star of the 2018 defense. We’ll find out this fall how he handles the spotlight and the expectation to produce.
4. Georgia WR Mecole Hardman
The AP named Hardman second-team All-SEC under the designation of all-purpose, recognizing that he contributed as a wide receiver (25 catches, 418 yards), a punt returner (271 yards) and a kick returner (505 yards). While the return game can be difficult to forecast, it’s easy to see Hardman making a bigger impact at wide receiver this fall.
With the departure of leading receiver Javon Wims (45 catches, 720 yards, 7 TD), Hardman and others can expect to have a larger role in the passing game this season. A stat from Pro Football Focus shows that targeting Hardman (as well as Terry Godwin) is a good idea for QB Jake Fromm.
The top returning SEC WRs in terms of passer rating when targeted last season pic.twitter.com/5pDtr1yoZ4
— PFF College (@PFF_College) May 21, 2018
More targets for Hardman could make for his most productive season yet.
5. Florida OL Martez Ivey
Ivey came to UF a 5-star left tackle in the class of 2015, but few would consider him one of the conference’s truly dominating linemen. He’s apparently doing something right, however, as both the coaches and writers have voted him second-team All-SEC the past two seasons.
There’s one big reason to predict Ivey will be better in 2018: John Hevesy. For the first two years at Florida, Ivey’s position coach was Mike Summers, the lone holdover on Jim McElwain’s staff from the Will Muschamp years. Summers wasn’t officially let go by Florida, but after McElwain’s frequent public criticisms of the offensive line’s toughness, intensity and energy, few were surprised to see Summers leave to take a job at Louisville. Last season, Ivey was coached by Brad Davis, who is now at Missouri, his fifth school in as many seasons.
In 2018, Ivey will almost certainly receive his best coaching and teaching as a lineman. While McElwain had no prior coaching experience with Summers or Davis, Hevesy has coached alongside and under Florida head coach Dan Mullen every season since 2001 at Bowling Green. Ivey is almost certain to benefit from having a position coach and head coach who are undoubtedly on the same page. Per Hevesy’s official bio, seven linemen he has coached in the past five seasons (2013-17) have made it to the NFL. Don’t be surprised if Ivey makes it eight and caps his UF career by making first-team All-SEC.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
