Biggest area of concern for SEC teams done with spring ball
Spring practice has ended for five SEC teams.
Each has answered several key questions, but each also has a key area of concern heading into the summer.
Auburn — Quarterback
Last year’s problem is still this summer’s concern as none of the three contenders created enough separation to earn the starting nod.
Jeremy Johnson came on strong in the spring game after a rough opening half and threw two of the best balls — hitting Roc Thomas on a well-timed quick corner route for a touchdown and hitting Darius Slayton in stride on what should have been a long touchdown. Except Slayton dropped the ball.
John Franklin III showcased his speed but occasionally looked like Treon Harris from the pocket. He threw for 61 yards but 40 were on a touchdown pass that hung up and probably should have been intercepted.
You could see, however, the running threat he brings to the zone read game.
Afterward, Franklin told reporters he expects to be the starter on opening day.
The quarterbacks are so different — White isn’t nearly as effective in the zone read because he isn’t nearly the threat to run — that Auburn’s quarterback of choice could be based more on how it wants to play.
• Jeremy Johnson
• Sean White
• John Franklin IIIWhich QB will make the BIGGEST impact in 2016? pic.twitter.com/GVmUBSoTLW
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) April 9, 2016
Florida — QB of the future?
With Florida’s depth and Luke Del Rio’s progress, freshman quarterback Feleipe Franks will be able to redshirt in 2016.
He appears to need it.
He didn’t play well in the Army All-American Game (two interceptions) and looked overmatched in the spring game, throwing three more interceptions. Those two games, both glorified exhibitions, hint at an inability to read defenses.
Ole Miss — offensive line
This is not much of a surprise, considering the Rebels lost both tackles in Laremy Tunsil and Fahn Cooper and two other starters in Ben Still and Aaron Morris.
Hugh Freeze told reporters after the Rebels’ final practice that he thought the defensive line stood out all spring. That’s a kinder way of saying the offensive line struggled.
“We’ve made progress this spring,” center Sean Rawlings told WTVA.com. “It’s not where it needs to be, obviously. It never is in the spring. We can continue to make progress and continue to develop as leaders. We can work together more and communicate to make each other better.”
South Carolina — Running game
Brandon McIlwain, assuming he wins the starting quarterback job, will help in this area, but the Gamecocks don’t look like a team that will produce a 1,000-yard rusher.
That’s not exactly new: They’ve had just two since the 2000 season ended.
Redshirt freshman A.J. Turner and David Williams ran eight times for 12 yards.
McIlwain, who wasn’t eligible for contact, ran for a score.
Last season, quarterback Lorenzo Nunez was the Gamecocks’ second leading rusher with 375 yards. Williams added 299.
Texas A&M — Special teams
Trevor Knight looked good, the receivers looked better and Myles Garrett looked unstoppable.
The kicking game? It needs work.
Daniel LaCamera drew praise in spring practice for his accuracy, and while his leg strength won’t match Eddy Pineiro’s, it’s plenty strong.
But LaCamera missed three field goals in the spring game, from 40, 43 and 54 yards. Each one had the distance, but the steering was off.
The Aggies are replacing Taylor Bertolet, who was 22 for 31 last year, including 5 of 9 from 50-plus yards.