The SEC has a ton of star power, but what are some of the conference’s biggest X-factors entering the 2016 college football season?
ESPN went through all 14 teams and named one under-the-radar player or coach that will rise from the unknown to play a huge part this fall. From Kentucky offensive coordinator Eddie Gran to LSU’s entire linebacker corps, here are the SEC’s biggest X-factors for this year:
SEC East
Tennessee: Defensive coordinator Bob Shoop
Georgia: DT Trenton Thompson
Florida: DT Caleb Brantley
South Carolina: DE Darius English
Missouri: WR Chris Black
Kentucky: Offensive coordinator Eddie Gran
Vanderbilt: WR C.J. Duncan
SEC West
LSU: The linebackers
Alabama: Defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt
Ole Miss: LB Rommel Mageo
Texas A&M: The offensive line
Mississippi State: Defensive coordinator Peter Sirmon
Auburn: LB Tre’ Williams
Arkansas: The running backs
Tyler Waddell is a member of the Saturday Down South news team. He brings over five years of professional journalism experience and is closing in on a Bachelor's in sports management. Follow him on Twitter (@Tyler_Waddell).
