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The SEC features some of the biggest names in college football, mostly because of the level of play. But, in many cases, there are some players whose names alone deserve attention.
These players could rival Key and Peele’s East/West Bowl characters such as “Hingle McCringleberry” and “Ozamataz Buckshank” in uniqueness. The conference’s alums include the likes of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Captain Munnerlyn and Jim Bob Cooter.
That tradition will continue in 2016. Here’s a look at the SEC All-Name team for the upcoming season.
OFFENSE
QB: Shawn Stankavage, Vanderbilt
WR: Quincy Adeboyejo, Ole Miss
WR: Damore’ea Stringfellow, Ole Miss
RB: Nick Chubb, Georgia
RB: Boom Williams, Kentucky
TE: Jeremy Sprinkle, Arkansas
OL: Prince Tega Wanogho, Auburn
OL: Tank Davis, Texas A&M
OL: Jakori Savage, LSU
OL: George Asafo-Adjei, Kentucky
OL: Prince Micheal Sammons, Auburn
Credit to Auburn for having not one, but two Princes in its offensive line group. In fact, the offensive line might be the best position group for finding the all-name team. Several changes had to be made before deciding on this unit. Also, Ole Miss will look to replace Laquon Treadwell, but the Rebels won’t have a shortage on unique names at wide receiver. Both Quincy Adeboyejo and Damore’ea Stringfellow made our list in 2016.
But perhaps the best name of all goes to Vanderbilt quarterback Shawn Stankavage. Seriously, how could we overlook this. I was tempted to include Cooper Bateman solely because he has the most Alabama quarterback name ever, but I cannot overlook Stankavage. There’s no way that kid didn’t hear it from his classmates growing up.
DEFENSE
DL: Jonathan Kongbo, Tennessee
DL: DaQuan Hawkins-Muckle, Georgia
DL: Dare Odeyingbo, Vanderbilt
DL: Davon Godchaux, LSU
LB: Clifton Escort III, LSU
LB: Jordan Mastrogiovanni, Texas A&M
LB: Ridge Underwood, Georgia
DB: Nigel Warrior, Tennessee
DB: Finis Stribling IV, Missouri
DB: Hootie Jones, Alabama
DB: Rico McGraw, Georgia
Tennessee signed the all-name recruiting class in 2016. Jonathan Kongbo was the nation’s top JUCO prospect and also has one of the coolest names of any defensive lineman. But it may be the second best among his class after defensive back Nigel Warrior. Seriously, I’m not sure a football movie character could have a name that awesome.
Like the offense, the defensive line features several other great names. Georgia’s DaQuan Hawkins-Muckle, Vanderbilt’s Dare Odeyingbo and LSU’s Davon Godchaux also deserve some recognition. Man, that’s a lot of letters.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K: Gary Wunderlich, Ole Miss
P: Shane Tripucka, Texas A&M
LS: Harley Whitehouse, Missouri
RS: Speedy Noil, Texas A&M
Okay, it’s not spelled the same, but if Gary Wunderlich makes it to the NFL Draft combine, he better score a 50 on the Wonderlic Test. Anything less would be a disappointment.
Perhaps the most telling name of any player is Texas A&M’s Speedy Noil. The junior is one of the fastest wide receivers/return specialists in college football, although you wouldn’t expect anything less based on his name. If you’re going to call yourself Speedy, you better be a burner. Although it would be an ironically funny name for a 400-pound offensive lineman, it’s totally fitting with the all-purpose yard machine.
Jason covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.