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The No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the No. 16 Missouri Tigers 42-13 in the 2014 SEC Championship Game on Saturday. Senior Blake Sims led the Tide with 262 yards and two touchdowns on 23-of-27 passing. Both teams saw impact performances from several upperclassmen, as well as players that may have flown under the radar in 2014.
Here’s a look at five players from each team that will be SEC stars in 2015.
MISSOURI
1. QB Maty Mauk- Mauk had 272 yards and 1 touchdown on 16-of-34 passing in Saturday’s game. The sophomore was expected to be one of the SEC’s top quarterbacks in 2014, but despite his team’s success, did little to emerge as an elite passer. Mauk should improve as a junior, after serving as a starter in both of his two previous seasons.
2. RB Russell Hansbrough- Hansbrough had 21 yards on 13 carries against Alabama. The junior led the Tigers with 970 yards on 190 attempts. But with senior Marcus Murphy leaving the program, Hansbrough should see even more carries next season.
3. DE Charles Harris- Harris entered the game in the second quarter after Shane Ray was ejected for targeting. During the regular season, the freshman had 19 tackles and two sacks in limited action. Harris should see more playing time with Ray and Golden departing.
4. LB Michael Scherer- Scherer finished seventh in the SEC with 100 tackles, second to Kentrell Brothers (103) for the team-high. The sophomore should gain attention entering his third season after a stellar 2014 campaign.
5. DB Aarion Penton- Penton finished ninth in the SEC with three interceptions. The sophomore will see an increased role in the Tigers secondary in his third season.
ALABAMA
1. QB Jake Coker- Coker failed to beat out Blake Sims in preseason, despite being viewed as the favorite for the starting quarterback job. With Sims leaving, the redshirt junior should take the reins of the Crimson Tide offense.
2. RB Derrick Henry- Henry was expected to have a bigger role in Alabama’s backfield. However, with the Tide turning to a more pass-heavy offense, the sophomore saw limited carries behind junior T.J. Yeldon.
3. WR Robert Foster- Foster redshirted in 2013 and saw limited action in 2014. But the former five-star prospect should see an increased role with the expected departure of Amari Cooper, as well as seniors DeAndrew White and Christion Jones.
4. DE Jonathan Allen- Allen finished second among Crimson Tide players with four sacks. The junior will see an increased role as the Tide loses several key pass rushers.
5. DB Marlon Humphrey- Humphrey saw limited action in his first season. However, the former five-star prospect and Alabama legacy should see an increased role with several defensive backs leaving the program next season.
A former freelance journalist from Nashville, Jason covers Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Kentucky
