Skip to content

Ad Disclosure

SEC Football

5 hot names from SEC spring practice

Chris Wright

By Chris Wright

Published:

Quarterback talk, for better or worse, has dominated the SEC dialogue of late.

The trend continues this spring, where several of the hot names are quarterbacks.

Brandon McIlwain, South Carolina

McIlwain, an early enrollee, opened camp working with the second team. That was notable for a variety of reasons, not the least of which was the fact South Carolina has five quarterbacks vying for the position.

Coach Will Muschamp told reporters Monday that McIlwain and Perry Orth had separated themselves from the pack. Orth’s broken collarbone now opens the door further for McIlwain to show he’s capable of starting the opener as a true freshman.

Of course, he’s not a typical true freshman. He’s already played in seven games with the Gamecocks’ baseball team.

“Brandon McIlwain is extremely talented,” Muschamp told The State.

John Franklin III, Auburn

Fast start? Does Franklin have any other gear?

The JUCO quarterback opened eyes early in camp with his speed, then added a 70-yard touchdown run during a live scrimmage Saturday.

“That’s a quick person,” running back Jovon Robinson told AL.com. “Man, when you can move laterally as quick as he can? You can do special things on the field. You saw that today. In the spring game, we can make some people happy.”

Jeremy Johnson threw a long touchdown pass and Franklin missed on a couple of long balls, AL.com reported. Gus Malzahn didn’t sound much closer to settling on one or the other.

If it’s a foot race to the finish line to win the starting job, don’t count out Franklin.

Byron Cowart, Auburn

Cowart, the prize of the 2015 recruiting class, isn’t generating nearly as much outside buzz this preseason.

Which is too bad, because based on what his teammates are saying, he’s emerging as the player most wanted him to be as a true freshman last season.

His teammates and coaches are raving about his development.

After a year of hearing about his potential, Cowart is generating headlines this spring for his play.

Bo Scarbrough, Alabama

As preseason hype goes, it doesn’t get much hotter.

As preseason cleats to fill go, they don’t get much bigger than Derrick Henry’s. He set the SEC rushing record last season, won the Heisman and led Alabama to its fourth national title in seven years.

Whether it’s hope, hype or a hybrid, Scarbrough’s progress is drawing more interest this spring than Alabama’s quarterback race.

Eddy Pineiro, Florida

You might have heard that the Gators struggled in all aspects of the kicking game last year.

So much so that getting Pineiro to flip from Alabama was seen as a huge signing day bonus.

Then the Gators gave him No. 15, for Tebow’s sake.

Keep in mind that Pineiro has never kicked in a college game, but he’s already producing smiles — and favorable tweets — this spring.

https://twitter.com/ChompingGators/status/707714150319923201

And, of course, Pineiro offered some visual proof of his prowess.

Chris Wright

An APSE award-winning editor with previous stints at the Miami Herald, The Indianapolis Star and News & Observer, Executive Editor Chris Wright oversees editorial operations for Saturday Down South.

You might also like...

2024 RANKINGS

presented by rankings

Read our Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions, Cookie Policy and

© 2024 Saturday Down South. All rights reserved

We do not target any individuals under the age of 21. We support responsible gambling. If you feel like you're losing control over your gambling experience, call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, PA, WV), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-888- 532-3500(Virginia) 1-800-522-4700 (NV, TN), 1-800-522-4700 (CO, TN), 1-855-2CALLGA (IL), 1-800-270-7117 (MI). global.footer.legal