Before preseason camps started, we ranked the 10 most intriguing position battles in the SEC.
Now that we’re 10 days from the start of the season, let’s check on those 10 battles to see which players have seized control — and which competitions may forge into the regular season before being decided.
1. LSU QB: Anthony Jennings vs. Brandon Harris
Les Miles has refused to name a leader in this competition, much less a starter. Although the LSU coach has acknowledged that Harris is receiving more of the first-team repetitions in practice. LSU beat writers, by reading into the division of practice snaps as well as from talking to players, have surmised that Harris is ahead of Jennings. At this point it would be a mild surprise if the Tigers turned the offense back over to Jennings to start the season.
2. Alabama QB: Jake Coker vs. David Cornwell
Nick Saban has stopped mentioning Cornwell altogether the last few times he’s updated the progress of Alabama’s quarterbacks. Meanwhile, Coker returned for Saturday’s scrimmage after missing several days due to a foot injury. Blake Barnett, the five-star true freshman, has looked at times like the best quarterback on the team, but it still seems likely the Tide will start the season with plans to redshirt him. The biggest news: redshirt junior Alec Morris has emerged from below the radar as a sudden candidate (favorite?). There are parallels between Morris and Blake Sims’ rise to win the job in 2014.
3. Florida QB: Will Grier vs. Treon Harris
Jim McElwain has undertaken a more guarded approach to his relationship with the media in Gainesville, disseminating less information than his predecessor Will Muschamp. As such, we still don’t have any ironclad indication as to whom will start at quarterback for the Gators. But if you believe in the accuracy of insider information and the educated opinions of the media, this race is over. Grier as emerged as the overwhelming favorite, as his arm strength and fit within the offense of McElwain and Doug Nussmeier seems to have those around the program pretty excited about his potential.
4. Auburn RBs: Jovon Robinson vs. Roc Thomas vs. Peyton Barber
Early in camp, Auburn’s coaching staff indicated that Robinson, the junior-college transfer, was the clear No. 3 back behind the two returnees. Thomas probably has performed the best dating back to the end of spring practice, and he’s the best bet to get the first carry against Louisville on Sept. 5. Although there’s no reason to doubt the comments about Robinson, it’s possible that the coaching staff was attempting to jolt him into gear, and a strong close to camp could thrust him closer to the other two backs once again. Two seemingly inseparable competitions at the position in ’13 and ’14 gave way to a dominant starter who led the SEC in rushing. That could happen again, but right now it’s looking like all three players could get significant time.
5. Georgia QB: Brice Ramsey vs. Faton Bauta vs. Greyson Lambert
Saturday’s scrimmage didn’t offer much clarity on the quarterbacks at Georgia. Richt’s post-scrimmage comments sounded as if his anxiety level elevated, as the position remains pretty muddled. UGA has talked for a few days about reducing the competition to two players, and that seems likely to happen at some point. Most feel that Ramsey and Lambert are the two favorites. It’s possible that this competition carries into the season, with Georgia playing both against Louisiana-Monroe. Most likely the Bulldogs will enter that game with a penciled-in starter, but will be prepared to make a quick switch if needed.
6. Ole Miss QB: Ryan Buchanan vs. Chad Kelly
Hugh Freeze seems to know which quarterback has won this competition. Only he hasn’t been willing to divulge that information publicly. The strong conjecture is that Kelly will be the starting quarterback entering the season. Freeze has defended Kelly at every turn, and he’s been more than complimentary of the oft-troubled junior-college transfer during preseason camp. The bigger questions at this point may be a) has Kelly absorbed enough of the offense to be as effective as the team needs, and b) can Kelly hold it together emotionally for an entire season on such a big stage as the SEC West?
7. Alabama WRs: Robert Foster vs. ArDarius Stewart vs. Chris Black vs. Calvin Ridley vs. Richard Mullaney
The media scrutiny and public attention surrounding Bama’s receiving corps isn’t as intense, but in some ways the competition is more intriguing. Right now, Stewart appears to hold a strong claim as option 1a, with Foster the 1b when he’s healthy (he endured a knee sprain last week). The other three players seem poised to make significant contributions, as Ridley is an uber-talented freshman who should play immediately on the outside. Black (ankle) has missed time in camp, and Mullaney, an Oregon State transfer, has worked his way up the depth chart. The players may split snaps as the slot receiver.
8. Georgia backup RB: Sony Michel vs. Keith Marshall
Michel probably will enter the season with the “backup” label, but reports about Marshall during preseason camp are exceedingly positive. Both players should get significant offensive touches to start the season, as Georgia would like nothing more than to make it into November with Nick Chubb, Michel and Marshall all fresh and healthy.
9. Tennessee “Mike” LB: Kenny Bynum vs. Darrin Kirkland Jr. vs. Dillon Bates
Bynum appears to have held an edge throughout preseason camp and, barring a surprise, will enter the season as the team’s replacement for A.J. Johnson. However, defensive coordinator John Jancek has been very complimentary of Kirkland Jr. It seems that the freshman has earned himself a role on this defense, even if it isn’t as a starter.
10. Missouri DT: Josh Augusta vs. Terry Beckner Jr.
Augusta’s teammates and coaches keep describing him as a freak who dominates 1-on-1 matchups — when he’s not tired. Despite Mizzou’s big-time need for Augusta to play well in 2015, he showed up to preseason camp overweight yet again. That’s after losing a starting spot to Rickey Hatley during spring practice and after potential All-SEC player Harold Brantley (car accident) was lost for the season. Beckner Jr. has begun taking snaps with the first- and second-team defenses during scrimmages, and has played well. The two are the most gifted defensive tackles on the roster, but Hatley and A.J. Logan may be the starters early in the season.
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.
