With the SEC openers just around the corner, we’re taking the spotlight off the returning stars or the hyped freshman and shining it on some other guys. We’re looking at guys who were on their teams last season, but didn’t spend a ton of time on the field. These guys will probably change that in 2017, and just might be the difference between their schools going to a destination bowl game or to Shreveport. Here’s a breakout player for 2017 from each SEC East team.
Florida — Tyrie Cleveland, So. WR
Cleveland isn’t totally unknown. I mean, how many returning players have a 98-yard touchdown catch to their credit? But last year, Florida was still unsure how to work him in. He finished with 14 catches for 298 yards. Florida’s passing game can’t help but improve, and Cleveland will be one of the biggest beneficiaries. It wouldn’t be surprising if he tripled last year’s numbers.
Georgia — Riley Ridley, So. WR
This could echo the same logic as the Florida pick. Ridley was kind of a late climber on the recruiting radar, but he showed the same skills that have made his brother Calvin a star at Alabama. Last year, Georgia got him just a dozen catches for 238 yards. Without Isaiah McKenzie around, Jacob Eason is going to have to throw the ball somewhere, and the 6-foot-2 Ridley looks like a great candidate to emerge as the big play guy in this group.
Kentucky — Sihiem King, Jr. RB
Boom Williams took his 1,170 yards and seven rushing touchdowns to the NFL, and while Kentucky returns Benny Snell, the Wildcats need a speed guy to fill Williams’ role. That’s where King comes in. The 5-9 back is a blazer, and has rushed for almost 10 yards per carry off the bench over the past two seasons. King has never had to be the man, but the skill set is there, and if Snell keeps gashing defenses inside, King will see some good running lanes off the edges of opposing defenses.
Missouri — Jason Reese, Sr. TE
What do we know about Mizzou? They Tigers are going to throw early and often. J’Mon Moore will get his, Johnathon Johnson is a threat from anywhere, but they need a tough tight end to make catches over the middle. Enter Reese, who isn’t the most glamorous player but has experience, size (6-5, 250) and good hands. Last year, he caught eight passes for Mizzou. This year, with Sean Culkin (24 catches) gone from the lineup, don’t be surprised if Reese nabs 30-40 balls.
South Carolina — Dante Sawyer, Sr. DE
Sawyer wasn’t exactly disappointing in 2016, he just got buried behind Darius English, who had an all-SEC type season. This year, English is gone, and the 6-3, 265-pound Sawyer can spend more time rushing the passer and less on the sideline. He had 25 tackles and a sack last year, and looks like a good bet for 50 tackles and six sacks in 2017.
Tennessee — Jonathan Kongbo, Jr. DE
Kongbo was an all-everything junior college guy who had almost no impact in 2016. He finished the year with 11 tackles and a sack. Given his talent and his 6-6, 270 frame, he will likely bypass those numbers in a single week this year. As much as Tennessee lost up front, Kongbo will have to play at least somewhat up to his potential this year. The smart guess is that he does.
Vanderbilt — Josh Smith, Jr. LB
For Smith, it’s kind of a case of doing it now or not doing it. He was a highly touted recruit with just 10 total tackles in two seasons. Coach Derek Mason will give Smith the freedom to come in with a clean slate and use his athleticism and size (6-3, 235) to help Vandy recover from the loss of all-world backer Zach Cunningham. Can Smith do it? He has not shown much the past two seasons, but sometimes, the light just comes on a bit slower. The smart guess is that will be the case for Smith.
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.
