Preseason stories often channel toward impact newcomers like Alabama WR Calvin Ridley or touted veterans like Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott.
There aren’t a lot of stories about the sophomores, who no longer are new, but not quite ubiquitous in the minds of opposing fan bases.
RELATED: Super sophomores of the SEC East
Still, these players have benefitted from an entire year of adjusting to college football and the SEC. Here are the sophomores in the SEC West who will stand out for each of the programs.
ALABAMA
- LT Cam Robinson
- WR ArDarius Stewart
- P JK Scott
Takeaways:Â Robinson gave Tide fans quite a scare last weekend when he sprained his knee at practice, but it doesn’t seem like the injury will affect him. It’s rare that a true freshman starts at left tackle, and it’s rarer to see that sort of youth as an asset on an SEC championship offensive line. So he’ll be critical in 2015. Offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin recently called Stewart the most talented receiver on the team, and he’ll be a regular contributor in the passing game as a sophomore. Scott, at 6-foot-5 with unbelievable flexibility, leverages an unmatched leg swing as one of the best punters in all of football.
ARKANSAS
- DL Bijhon Jackson
- DL Tevin Beanum
- G Frank Ragnow
Takeaways: Ragnow is the youngest starter on an impressive offensive line that should be more athletic in 2015. Jackson and Beanum will be part of the team’s heavy eight-man rotation along the defensive line. The Razorbacks’ front seven will count on those two, plus sophomore linebacker Khalia Hackett. But Arkansas is a veteran team entering the ’15 season, and the sophomores may need to wait another year to be considered stars.
AUBURN
- DE/LB Carl Lawson
- K Daniel Carlson
- S Tray Matthews
Takeaways: Lawson, who tore his ACL in spring practice and had surgery on it May 2014, finally has returned to the field. He’ll play the “Buck” position in coordinator Will Muschamp’s defense. As Auburn’s best pass rusher, he’s primed to provide a crucial boost to the team’s defense. Speaking of which, Matthews, a former Georgia safety, looked like a playmaker during spring practice and could play an important role on the back end. Carlson will not have to worry about double duty with punting and kicking this year, but could be one of the conference’s best placekickers.
LSU
- RB Leonard Fournette
- S Jamal Adams
- WR Malachi Dupre
Takeaways: Outside of perhaps Texas A&M, the Tigers can claim the sexiest sophomore class in the SEC West. Fournette is an All-SEC candidate at running back, and should only improve on his 1,034 rushing yards in 2014. If he strikes the Heisman pose after a touchdown this year, it will no longer be premature. Those close to the program think Adams eventually will join the pantheon of great LSU safeties, and he could be one of the best in the country as early as this year. And Dupre, a former five-star wideout, just needs a quarterback to emerge and get him the ball.
MISSISSIPPI STATE
- WR/KR Donald Gray
- K Westin Graves
- LB J.T. Gray
Takeaways: Gray the receiver is a touted JUCO transfer, but he holds three years of eligibility and Mississippi State is deep at receiver. Expect him to contribute some in ’15, but it should be a learning year for him before he blossoms. Graves has a chance to emerge as the placekicker after Evan Sobiesk left the team to focus on dentistry. And Gray the linebacker probably is Mississippi State’s fastest player at the position. He’ll see more time in a reserve defensive role in ’15 and should be a standout by next season.
OLE MISS
- DE Marquis Haynes
- OL Rod Taylor
- WR Markell Pack
Takeaways: Haynes is tiny for an SEC defensive lineman — more of a pass-rush specialist. But the Rebels can get away with that due to the team’s collection of brutish bodies along the rest of the line. And Haynes is a threat to reach double-digit sacks. Taylor is pushing Justin Bell hard to become Ole Miss’ starting right guard and should evolve into an important player at the position as his brain catches up with his talented body. Pack muffed too many punts last season and may not see as much time on special teams, but even with the team’s deep receiving corps, he should get a target or two per game.
TEXAS A&M
- DE Myles Garrett
- QB Kyle Allen
- WR/KR Speedy Noil
Takeaways: Garrett will compete with Lawson and a few others for the SEC sack title, and may be the most dominant pass rusher in the conference. He’s added about 15 pounds to his frame, and if he can become a better anchor against the run, he’ll be an All-American candidate. Allen must beat out five-star freshman Kyler Murray to retain his job, but should put up huge numbers in his first full season as a starter. That’s partially because of a host of talented skill position players, including Noil.
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.
