The most critical non-QB on every SEC East team
Quarterbacks were the talk of SEC Media Days last week in Hoover, and with good reason. The league features multiple signal callers likely to selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, and 2 bona fide Heisman contenders in Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa and Georgia’s Jake Fromm.
Those junior All-Americans were joined at SEC Media Days by fellow College Football Playoff quarterback Kelly Bryant (Mizzou), as well as a contingent of talented quarterbacks from across the conference including SEC East starters Jake Bentley (South Carolina), Feleipe Franks (Florida) and Jarrett Guarantano (Tennessee). Along with Bryant, add in graduate transfers at Arkansas (Ben Hicks and Nick Starkel), Mississippi State (Tommy Stevens) and Riley Neal (Vanderbilt), and you get a sense of how stacked the SEC is at the quarterback position, from a talent and experience standpoint.
But as good as these guys can be, there are still critical players on each team who must produce to make the hope SEC coaches were selling at Media Days a reality this autumn.
Here’s a list of the most critical non-quarterback at each SEC East program heading into the 2019 season (programs listed alphabetically).
Florida: CJ Henderson, CB
Is it boring to go with a guy Mel Kiper slated to be a top 10 pick in the NFL Draft?
Maybe. But Henderson isn’t just the best 1-on-1 corner in college football (43% completion on throws against, 0 touchdowns allowed) per Pro Football Focus. He’s Todd Grantham’s relentless effort guy, too. Take last year at Neyland Stadium, when Tyson Helton appeared to have dialed up a winning play to get the crowd and the Vols back in the game in the second quarter. Tennessee’s Austin Pope caught a play-action flair down the left sideline, and appeared headed for the checkerboards when … well, Henderson happened.
When #RelentlessEffort meets the #GatorStandardpic.twitter.com/Hr77Nt7Nyp
— Gators Football (@GatorsFB) September 23, 2018
Henderson doesn’t give up on plays. Ever.
A freakish athlete with track speed, a 545-pound squat and a 40.5 inch vertical, Henderson has tremendous eye control, hand strength and recovery speed that make him a nightmare in 1-on-1 coverage. His speed and football instincts also make him a useful weapon in Grantham’s exotic boundary blitz schemes. Put plainly, the preseason All-American is Florida’s best football player.
The Gators are really good in the secondary but lack elite depth. As Florida fans saw last season in the Cocktail Party, they need Henderson badly against great opposition. Having Marco Wilson, a former All-SEC Freshmen Team selection with immense talent, back will help. But Henderson is the glue.
Georgia: George Pickens, WR
Georgia lost its best returning wide receiver when JJ Holloman was dismissed from the Georgia football team in late June due to a domestic violence arrest.
It was a tough blow for a Bulldogs squad that already was replacing 4 of its top 5 2018 players in terms of passing game production with the departures of Riley Ridley (559 yards, 9 TD), Mecole Hardman (532, 7), Isaac Nauta (461 yards, 4), Terry Godwin (385, 3). Holloman’s dismissal means offensive coordinator James Coley has to replace all 5 in 2019.
The ability of D’Andre Swift and Zamir White to catch the ball out of the backfield helps, but the reality is you need an intermediate and downfield passing game in the upper echelons of college football. Who will provide that for Georgia?
When Holloman was dismissed, Bulldog Twitter assured cynics Georgia would be fine due to the arrival of Miami transfer Lawrence Cager, but that’s unlikely. Cager is a matchup problem in the red zone, but he caught only 1 pass a game mid-October on for The U last season, despite playing one of the softer schedules in the Power 5.
That leaves it to one of Georgia’s outstanding recruits to step up, and Pickens, a 5-star Georgia stole from rival Auburn on signing day, is the best candidate.
It’s a big ask for a true freshman to replace the likes of Ridley, Hardman and Holloman- but Pickens, a tremendous athlete with a NFL prototype frame, has the physical tools.
Only 5 SEC wide receivers have generated more than 800 total yards as a freshman in the past 15 years, and the list reads like a Who’s Who of SEC greats: Mike Evans (Texas A&M), A.J. Green (UGA) Julio Jones (Alabama), Percy Harvin (Florida), Alshon Jeffery (South Carolina) and Calvin Ridley (Alabama).
Is Pickens that good? Jake Fromm thinks so, calling him “the next A.J. Green.” Time will tell, though with a dearth of proven talent around him, he’ll have the chance.
Kentucky: Kash Daniel, LB
This was the easiest selection.
Kentucky fans had a bit of swagger in Hoover — and why not? Three consecutive winning seasons and last year’s 10-win campaign capped with a tremendous Citrus Bowl performance against Penn State should have people buzzing about what Mark Stoops has built on the Bluegrass.
But even as Kentucky fans project confidence, the program is generally flying under the radar. The Cats were picked to finish 6th in the East, a sign of continued disrespect for the program and perhaps, disbelief that the program will replace the likes of Benny Snell Jr. and Josh Allen easily.
Kash Daniel is the dude that can soften that transition.
Last week, Daniel arrived at Media Days with long flowing locks, evoking Game of Thrones Jon Snow and calling Kentucky’s haters and doubters “jack—“.
Daniel is the quarterback of a stingy Kentucky defense that finished in the top 20 nationally a year ago. He’s not Allen; you don’t find him until the middle rounds in draft projections and he lacks the explosiveness of the departed 2018 SEC Defensive Player of the Year. But he is a tackling machine (3rd on team in 2018) and his 26 tackles for loss over his career are a program best. Daniel is also nails tough, having played half of last season with a broken hand. That toughness and leadership, along with his nose for the football, will key a Kentucky team that should again reach a bowl in 2019.
Missouri: Larry Rountree III, RB
If it is possible to “quietly” return to a SEC program after rushing for 1,200 yards, Larry Rountree III does it for the Tigers in 2019.
Rountree set a tone for his junior year with a 204-yard performance in the Liberty Bowl against Oklahoma State, but in truth, Derek Dooley had decided to make the bruising tailback his bell cow by the Florida game in early November. Rountree III ran for 72 yards on 14 carries in Missouri’s rout of Florida in the Swamp, and never looked back, tallying 3 100-yard games down the stretch as the Tigers closed the season winning 5 of their final 7.
Rountree was top 5 in the SEC in yards after contact too, with great leg turnover that requires good contact to tackle.
Larry Rountree with the 7 yard TD pic.twitter.com/TjeviNWd6I
— Represent Mizzou (@RepresentMizzou) September 22, 2018
He’s the type of running back that is brutal to tackle in the second half, and with the surprising departure of Damarea Crockett to the NFL, the pressure — and the privilege — of being the SEC’s next Benny Snell falls on the shoulders of the terrific Rountree.
South Carolina: DJ Wonnum, Buck DE/LB
When a Will Muschamp defense has an elite “Buck” guy (Carl Lawson, Dante Fowler), it tends to be a pretty stout defense.
Muschamp likes to use his Buck to mix up his defensive fronts and confuse quarterbacks. On occasion, the Buck will simply line up like a hand-in-ground defensive end and play read-and-react. On other plays, he’ll stand up on the line and show blitz. On others, he’ll line up like a middle linebacker only to flare out and come off the edge just before the snap. It’s a complicated position that requires a cerebral player and an athlete capable of holding their own in coverage and getting after the quarterback.
Wonnum did well in that role in 2017, finishing 4th on the Gamecocks in tackles and collecting 6 sacks, which helped the Gamecocks finish in the top 20 nationally in total defense and collect a huge Outback Bowl win over Michigan. Unfortunately, Wonnum was injured early in the season a year ago and predictably, the Gamecocks struggled defensively, finishing 40th nationally in S&P defense, the worst finish by a Muschamp-coached defense this decade.
Muschamp is hopeful the return of a healthy Wonnum, along with improved depth to the front seven, will get the Gamecocks defense back up to Muschamp’s lofty standards, and help South Carolina prevent the type of second half collapse on defense that cost them games like the one at Florida late last season.
Tennessee: Darnell Wright and Wanya Morris, OL
I hope Jeremy Pruitt’s optimism is well-placed and Trey Smith plays football again and soon. But if he can’t play or is limited in 2019, it will be baptism by fire for Tennessee 5-star linemen Wanya Morris and Darnell Wright. The duo are two of the biggest’s (pun intended) recruits in recent Vols history, and they’ll be tasked with playing immediately and producing for an offensive line that was woeful in 2018.
If they play well, Jarrett Guarantano will have time to show his substantial talents and Ty Chandler and the Volunteer running game might establish the rhythm it needs to make Jim Chaney’s offense go. If the offense can go, the Vols have a chance to be pretty good, because the defense was salty at times in 2018 and will only be better with more rest and another year of Pruitt’s tutelage.
If the learning curve proves too much, it’s tough to see Tennessee improving much on an offense that finished 121st nationally in 2018, the 2nd-worst unit in the Power 5, ahead of only lowly Rutgers. It’s a tall ask, and maybe one that comes a season early, but that’s where Tennessee is right now in Jeremy Pruitt’s long rebuild.
Vanderbilt: Kalija Lipscomb, WR
You thought we were going Ke’Shawn Vaughn, and maybe we should have. Vaughn is one of the SEC’s elite tailbacks and a surefire future NFL back. But the certainty of Vaughn’s excellence is what makes Lipscomb so essential.
Riley Neal was a solid quarterback at Ball State, performing at an All-MAC level before an injury ended his season. He’ll be competent with help, but at Vanderbilt, he’ll play behind an inexperienced line and with teams stacked up to stop Vaughn, the Commodores will need to find some explosive plays in the passing game.
Lipscomb is as reliable as they come as a sticks mover, with his 87 receptions easily leading the SEC a season ago. Lipscomb also finished 3rd nationally (and 1st in the SEC) on third-down situational efficiency last season, per Pro Football Focus, coming up with a first down on 83.8 percent of his targets. What’s underrated is his explosiveness: Lipscomb tallied catches of 20 yards plus in 7 games last season, and was dominant on contested balls, collecting a SEC best 10-of-19 contested targets.
He’ll be Riley Neal and Ke’Shawn Vaughn’s best friend in 2019, and the guy who holds the key to whether Vanderbilt can send its senior class out 4-0 against Tennessee this November.
I wonder if there ever be an article concerning Kentucky football that doesn’t mention Josh Allen and Benny Snell?
But, again, ya gotta fill space with something.
Paris if it makes you feel any better- I grimaced but it made little sense to write this particular column without mentioning Allen in particular. And the Snell nod was regarding Rountree, who I think can have that kind of impact for Missouri. So in that sense, it was high praise.
I thought the article was about the current team.
Did you mention the players that will be missing from the other schools?
You did mention a few gone from Georgia but I didn’t see any others.
But, as I said, it fills space.
The nod to Rountree, fine, but why mention Snell in the Kentucky paragraph? Or maybe I missed the mention of Rountree in the Kentucky article?
Neither Snell or Allen are going to be on the roster.
I mean, are you embarrassed that people are recognizing your team recruiting and coached some really good players? I don’t understand why talking about two former greats from your school would be upsetting. I like being reminded about my school’s greats like Michael Sam, Shane Ray, and Drew Lock. YMMV.
He’s a troll. He usually is more abrupt it but yea. I wanted to show some respect for him not being an ass after Jarrod Lornezen passing also. Thanks Paris for being a “fan”.
I read your previous posts.
enough said.
Where, in the Kentucky portion, does it mention recruiting?
Until last the last NFL draft, the outstanding coaches failed to have a player drafted in the previous TWO seasons.
And good for your former greats.
And YMMV too.
Okie dokie.
George Pickens is an interesting choice. I think a case can be made for several players as the most critical non-QB on UGA’s roster. Also, that play from CJ Henderson is absolutely ridiculous.
I agree with the Kash Daniel pick but don’t you think maybe the guy that’s replacing Benny or the guy replacing Allen is pretty important lol
Figured UGAs would be D-Rob
yeah, if I had to pick that player for UGA I would have to go through a few names before I got to Pickens.
I’d either go with D’andre Swift, Jordan Davis, or Demetris Robertson.
I’d hate to be the one to make the decision on Trey Smith. That’s a lot of liability.
yeah but the decision will be made by trey and family. The staff and doctors will only tell him where he is and what to expect. My guess is if mama says no that’s it and rightfully so. There is a lot to lose here. Football can mean more than lift itself to some guys. Hope trey isn’t one of em. But man I hope he can play with minimal risk.
Agree, absolutely gutting choice for the young man and his family to have to make. Praying that all the doctors and everyone provide the best information possible.
Fumble out of the end zone = touchback for the other team is such a stupid rule
. . . and so you think what? The ball should be given back to the offense? When a punt or kick-off goes through the end zone there is a touchback to the other team. I’m not sure what else you could do with a fumble out of the end zone. Hang on to the ball and there is nothing to worry about.
Special teams are completely different. Why should the D get the ball just because the offense fumbled?
Comparing this is a punt or kickoff makes no sense. The kicking team in intentionally giving up possession. That’s not at all what is happening here.
Agree but what should happen? If it happens inside the 10 maybe first and goal at the 20? I don’t think the other team should get the ball but I think the team who fumbled should be penalized
I’m not picky about the penalty as long as it’s reasonable. Problem is, we either won’t get the change or it’ll be unreasonable.
Only the top programs get the ball back. All the other schools have to wait a year for possession eligibility
What happens when a fumble goes OOB on a normal play? Offense gets the ball where it goes out.
Special teams are different.
I say give the offense the ball back at the 20. If they’d earned a 1st down, give it to them. If it’s a normal down, continue. Same as a 20 yd sack.
Actually, let me amend that. If the first down marker is on or outside of the 10 yard line then give them new downs. If the 1st down is inside the 10, no new downs.
what would be a better alternative I mean if the ball goes out of the endzone the other team can’t start in the end zone so what other option is there
Make them start at the 10 or 20. The defense never possessed the ball. Why should they get it? Any other place on the field, the offense maintains possession.
Exactly^
Rountree is poised to have a really special year, here’s hoping he stays healthy!
Interesting. An unproven? Robinson who has some experience, Cook needs to step up. He’s played a year . (a 5*) It may open the door for a player? Just can’t get on board with a high schooler.
I can’t argue with Larry Rountree. People think that RBs are replaceable, but I think a really critical part of the Mizzou offense this season is the one-two punch with Rountree and Badie. Rountree is the big, traditional SEC style bruiser, while Badie is the class scat-back that has been so successful at Missouri, particularly in the Gary Pinkel era. While I think Badie is a fine player, I think he is even better as a change of pace back than a full time starter, at least for now. If we still had Crockett, I’d feel differently, but for this season’s offense to be its best, we need Rountree.
One of Jake Fromm’s attributes is that he distributes the ball to a wide range of receivers. He often throws his guys open – getting the ball to a receiver in such a way that, while the defender may be tight, he has no chance at the ball. I’m less concerned with someone stepping up and being The Man than I am with the WR group running good routes. The UGA receiver’s room is one of the most talented in CFB with 4 collective years of blue-chip recruits – singling out a single TF as the make-or-break component for this team just doesn’t make sense when Fromm is at the controls.
If I had to choose a single guy to hang the season on it would be someone to solidly anchor the D-line. That’s where we need someone to step up the most.
It sucked to lose a talent like Holloman but I’ll fill you guys in on something many outside of UGA football don’t understand. UGA has three receivers that have started multiple D1 games. Tyler Simmons started about half of UGAs games last year and is over 210Lbs and runs a 4.3, he is a beast of a blocker…maybe the best on the team. He will he called on to catch some passes this year and I look for him to be pretty reliable as a player. Demetrius Robertson came into UGA late last year and was Pac10 All freshman and 5 star deep threat that has already showed-out for a D1 football team. He didn’t know much of the playbook and physicality last year as he came in late. He is a good route runner and deep threat. Cager of course is a good depth piece that isn’t going to do a ton but will provide depth off the bench. He isn’t a starter for UGA unlike these pundits talk about. 5* Pickens can be a beast. JULIO JONES type body. 5* Dominick Blaylock may be the best route runner and possession freshman receiver in the nation.
Many of these receivers are fully capable and could be better than what left but you can only play so many. The guys last year that left covered them up. That’s not even mentioning Matt Landers, Kearis Jackson (will play a lot), Tommy Bush, or Mikya Tongue (a Diamond). On top of that Charlie Woerner was Isaac Nautas equal at catching and route running and may be a better blocker. Woerner isn’t as fast or athletic as Nauta not may end up being a better blocker and smarter route runner.
I’d hedge a bit on Woerner not being as athletic as Nauta, at least in terms of body control. He’s the only 250-pounder I’ve ever seen perform a standing backflip.
I also expect Pickens and Blaylock to contribute early. I’ve got a feeling Dominick is going to give defenses fits from the slot. D-Rob is SEC-strong now and knows the playbook. Cager is an experienced Red Zone threat. A lot of guys in that room would have started for quite a few P5 teams last year. The summer narrative of UGA being in trouble at receiver will likely be a distant memory by the time the leaves turn.
The SEC is a different animal than the Pac 10. Just because someone had success in that conference, doesn’t mean they’re guaranteed to have success in the SEC, where most of the programs lie that have a legit claim to DBU. What UGA has in their WR’s right now is a lot of hope, but no guarantees. Just because a player was highly ranked coming out of high school, that doesn’t mean they’re automatically going to be great in college. Good thing for the Dawgs is they’re a run first team, but you better hope someone can step up and keep the defense from stacking 9 guys in the box.
For UGA I say Jordan Davis. If he can take up the middle and command a double team with regularity, then the speed at DE And OLB can dominate a game. The offense will score without Pickens being great.
Pickens might well be all world, but I don’t get the knock on Cager. The QB play at Miami was staggeringly awful last year, and the dude still had 6 touchdowns. The guy is a beast and a solid pick up for UGA.
Big fan of Wonnum, but I woulda given it to Bryan Edwards, I think he’s the second best receiver in the SEC after Jeudy and could b a first round pick next spring.