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Where were these guys last year?
The practice of redshirting developing talent can sometimes lead even ardent fans of SEC schools to raise that question. Everybody remembers the returning stars and hypes the talented new freshmen.
But don’t forget the guys who were in the program, but not on the field, in 2016. Here’s one 2016 redshirt from each team who will contribute in 2017.
SEC East
Florida: Freshman QB Feleipe Franks
With the arrival of transfer Malik Zaire, the job goes from being presumptively Franks’ to up-in-the-air. But Franks, who was so talented that Jim McElwain was tempted to pull his redshirt before last season’s bowl game, is the long-term future of the QB position in Gainesville.
Georgia: Freshman LB/DE Chauncey Manac
Georgia has a truly loaded linebacker corps, which is both how Manac managed to red-shirt in 2016 and the biggest issue he’ll face in getting on the field this year. But the 6-foot-3, 243-pound athlete will be too good to keep on the sideline. Whatever position he ends up playing, Manac will be a threat to opposing quarterbacks.
Kentucky: Freshman RB A.J. Rose
Rose, who was neck-and-neck with fellow true freshman Benny Snell in 2016 fall camp, ended up red-shirting behind Snell and Boom Williams, each of whom rushed for 1,000 yards. While Williams is now gone, Kentucky’s backfield may not miss a beat with the speedy Rose, who will be an effective change of pace to go with Snell’s power game.
Missouri: Junior WR Nate Brown
Brown, who was one of the better Tigers’ targets in 2015, missed last season after an ankle injury. He adds depth to one of the league’s top receiving units, and will benefit from a full season with QB Drew Lock and coordinator Josh Heupel.
South Carolina: Senior LB Skai Moore
Much like LaCouture above, there’s no real question on who this guy is. Moore was second-team all-SEC in 2015 before suffering a neck injury and missing the 2016 season. Given the graduation of Zach Cunningham from Vanderbilt, Moore may be the best linebacker in the league. The Gamecocks’ defense will be very glad to have him back.
Tennessee: Freshman QB Jarrett Guarantano
Quinten Dormady is more experienced, but the versatile Guarantano has a higher upside. Given the tenuous status of coach Butch Jones, there might be a tendency to throw Guarantano into the fray sooner rather than later.
Vanderbilt: Freshman OL Sean Auwae-McMoore
A highly regarded line prospect, Auwae-McMoore red-shirted behind center Barrett Gouger. Gouger is gone, but the need to have an effective blocking attack to set up senior RB Ralph Webb remains. Auwae-McMoore will probably be part of that plan.
SEC West
Alabama: Freshman DE Quinnen Williams
At 6-4 and 285 pounds, Williams is a load to block. After red-shirting last season, he was chosen as the Tide’s most improved player in the spring. Jonathan Allen is gone to the NFL, but Williams will help fill his shoes — and fill opposing backfields.
Arkansas: Freshman DT Briston Guidry
Guidry, a 6-2, 279 pound gap-filler, red-shirted last season behind a group of talented Razorbacks linemen. Unfortunately, between injuries and productivity issues, the Razorbacks allowed 5.9 yards per carry and over 31 points per game. Guidry will help try to reverse that trend this season.
Auburn: Freshman DB Jayvaughn Myers
Myers, a cornerback, is the brother of Tigers receiver Nate-Craig Myers. He was expected to play his way into the secondary rotation last year as a true freshman, but tore his ACL and had to sit out the season. Myers is ready to go now, and could help a talented Auburn secondary.
LSU: Senior DE Christian LaCouture
A starter in 2014 and 2015, the 6-foot-5 300-pounder plugs up lanes and allows the Tigers’ speedsters to make big plays. A second-team all-SEC pick by the media, LaCouture will be a critical part of the Tigers’ front.
Mississippi State: Freshman C Stewart Reese
The 340-pound Reese was a highly regarded signee in 2016, but red-shirted behind starter Jamaal Clayborn. Protecting Nick Fitzgerald will be a central focus for State, and Reese will likely play a significant part in doing so.
Ole Miss: Freshman WR Tre Nixon
Nixon was a promising recruit who sat behind Damore’ea Stringfellow and Quincy Adeboyejo last season. With those veterans gone and starting tight end Evan Engram also moving along, Nixon will see the field. Shea Patterson will find him, so don’t be surprised if Nixon emerges as a big-play threat.
Texas A&M: Freshman QB Nick Starkel
The quarterback situation at A&M is far from settled, but Starkel, who is more of a traditional drop-back passer than true freshman Kellen Mond, played well in the Maroon & White spring game. He could end up leading the A&M offense this fall.
Joe Cox is a columnist for Saturday Down South. He has also written or assisted in writing five books, and his most recent, Almost Perfect (a study of baseball pitchers’ near-miss attempts at perfect games), is available on Amazon or at many local bookstores.
