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Each week, Matt Hayes uses his sources around the country to bring you insider knowledge about what’s going on in the SEC ahead of this week’s games.
This is what he’s hearing from SEC coaches and NFL scouts in Week 2 …
Texas A&M
This from an NFL scout who watched Texas A&M practice in fall camp: “I don’t know what happens this weekend (against Clemson), but I know this: They don’t fool around in College Station anymore. This is a business for Jimbo, and everyone does their job. If they don’t, he’ll find someone who will without blinking. His ‘I’m not taking any (expletive deleted)’ attitude filters into everything they do. They may not beat Clemson this weekend, but that program will be able to play with anyone in 2 years. It’s not for everyone; I get it, there are different ways to go about your business. It wears on some players.”
Then, the scout added this: “You see what happens when that attitude leaves town, too. Check out Florida State.” …
Georgia
Don’t put too much into Georgia WR (and Cal transfer) Demetris Robertson not catching a pass in the Week 1 slaugher vs. Austin Peay. He’ll be a valuable part of the receiving corps once he gets in playing shape. Robertson, who last week had a 72-yard touchdown run on a jet sweep, gives Georgia another deep threat on the outside and will force safeties to choose which speedy wideout – Robertson or Mecole Hardman – to double on streaks. “When you’ve got two guys who can run on the outside and go get the ball, everything changes,” a Georgia staffer said. “It’s not just the go (routes); everything in the middle changes because every move the defense makes, there’s a viable counter to it. It all opens up.” …
Tennessee
The numbers for Tennessee QB Jarrett Guarantano were solid in a season opening loss to West Virginia. The intangibles are what will keep him as the team’s starting quarterback. Guarantano didn’t commit a turnover and stood tall and strong in the pocket. “He was getting hit, and he just kept coming,” one staffer said. “Other guys see that and feed off it. Players respond to each other; it’s infectious. He’s got talent, he’s tough and he doesn’t turn the ball over. And ball security is the No. 1 thing around here.” …
LSU
The season-ending knee injury to LSU LB K’Lavon Chaisson not only puts the Tigers’ defense in a bind at the linebacker spot, it also prevented a breakout season from a player one scout said was the “most active guy on defense I saw at any camp. That kid had All-American season written all over him.” LSU now moves to Andre Anthony to fill the spot. A former 4-star defensive end who chose LSU over Alabama, Auburn and Florida, Anthony was academically ineligible in 2016 and sat out 2017 because of a foot injury. …
Kentucky vs. Florida
One SEC coach loves Kentucky’s chances of snapping its 31-game losing streak to Florida. Why? The Wildcats can run the ball with two tailbacks who will play in the NFL (Benny Snell, Jr., and Asim Rose), and a quarterback (Terry Wilson) who is dangerous in the run game. “Look at Florida across the front seven. They’re not that beefy, not that strong. That’s a speed defense. You lock up with them and push them around, you gain control of that box. Once that happens, you control the tempo of the game and can do what you want. Everyone in the stands loves the passing game. When you can run, you win games.” …
Alabama
One scout, after watching the Alabama-Louisville season opener: “Just a ton of NFL talent out there, but the guy I kept finding myself watching was that little freshman wide receiver (Jaylen) Waddle. He’s not the biggest guy, but he’s solid, well put together. And man, can he run; great vision and feel for the game. With that defense, how many punt returns is he going to get? How many times, if you’re the punt team, are you holding your breath? I’d get him as many touches as possible every game.” …
Vanderbilt’s defense
I asked an SEC coach for one thing that didn’t surprise him from Week 1: “What Vanderbilt did against Middle Tennessee. You might say, well, that’s a C-USA team, but I’m telling you, watch the Vandy defense. Middle Tennessee had, what, 16 or 17 starters returning from a good team? That Vandy defense absolutely destroyed them. They had six sacks, a couple of turnovers, they scored on defense. Derek (Mason) is a helluva coach. That’s what doesn’t surprise me. That defense is going to be a bear to deal with.”
Matt Hayes is a national college football writer for Saturday Down South. You can hear him daily from 12-3 p.m. on 1010XL in Jacksonville. Follow on Twitter @MattHayesCFB
