Ranking the Top 10 players in the SEC entering week 7
To quote Diego Pavia, “it’s turnt” at “The List” this week.
Has there been a college football Saturday in recent memory more chaotic than last weekend?
Five of the top 11 teams in the country lost, including 2 of the 4 teams in last year’s College Football Playoff, including the defending national champion. Another, Miami, should have lost, but apparently the targeting rule works differently if you are the ACC’s best chance at a top 4 seed in the College Football Playoff.
That alone would be enough, but then there’s the matter of what happened in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Procession to Calvary, by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, 1564, 📸 by @shamnadoes https://t.co/tzDLi7cVnf pic.twitter.com/2GmJZy8gRu
— ArtButMakeItSports (@ArtButSports) October 6, 2024
“The List” hasn’t been this mesmerized by something so wonderfully unpredictable since the Wu Tang Clan released Enter the 36 Chambers.
Sure, “The List” took a whole lot of grief from SDS readers for ranking Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia in “The List” in 4 of the season’s first 5 weeks. But here at “The List,” we’d rather search out good football, anywhere we can find it, and thank the good Lord for it in our morning prayers than revel in schadenfreude. We’ll take an epic game for a player to prove they belong over weeks of readers thinking “The List” is loony anytime.
Speaking of loony, who had “Jalen Milroe’s first loss as a SEC quarterback came when he committed 2 costly turnovers against Vanderbilt” on their bingo card?
Speaking of loony, who had Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers as the biggest mismatch on the field in Saturday’s Commodores-Crimson Tide game?
Are we starting to understand the scale of exactly what happened in Nashville in front of a FirstBank Stadium crowd packed to the gills with visiting Crimson Tide fans?
That story is even zanier than Hugh Freeze, and honestly, would the last Auburn defender of Hugh Freeze please turn out the lights?
After running over his quarterbacks with a freight train after a loss to Arkansas and claiming his team would beat the Hogs 9 times out of 10 (Tennessee begs to differ, Hugh), Freeze was at his full narcissistic maniac again this week, threatening to turn Georgia in to the league office because … (checks notes) … their defensive front’s stemming was too aggressive? Good luck with that, Hugh. All “The List” knows is that Freeze is 8-11 through 19 games at Auburn. Not all schedules are created equal, but that 8-11 record is worse than Bryan Harsin, who was 9-10 through 19 games and fired just 2 games later.
Arkansas, by the way, beat Tennessee 19-14 in Fayetteville on Saturday night in the “other” SEC top-5 upset. The Vols fought until the final play, which unfortunately for Josh Heupel’s team ended when freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava made the bizarre decision to run instead of throwing the ball into the end zone toward an orange and white jersey. Iamaleava will learn and get better, and Razorback Stadium is not an easy place to play — but what a disappointing finish for the Vols, who played like the nation’s best team throughout much of September.
“The List” moves on like Vanderbilt must. There will be more upsets and more games and more Saturdays. It just may take a while to find one as surprising and compelling as last Saturday.
As always, “The List” begins with “Honorable Mentions,” limited to 2 per school. Last week’s list is here, and yes, after an epic week where 3 SEC teams ranked in the Top 10 lost, there is plenty of movement. And yes, for the first time in “The List” history, a Vanderbilt player is on top.
Alabama: Jihaad Campbell, LB; Jalen Milroe, QB. Arkansas: Ja’Quinden Jackson, RB; Xavian Sorey Jr., LB. Auburn: KeAndre Lambert-Smith, WR; Keldric Faulk, LB. Florida: Jason Marshall Jr., DB, Jeremy Crawshaw, P. Georgia: Monroe Freeling, OL; Malaki Starks, S. Kentucky: Deone Walker, DT; Jamon Dumas-Johnson, LB. LSU: Will Campbell, OT; Garrett Nussmeier, QB. Mississippi State: Stone Blanton, LB. Missouri: Luther Burden III, WR; Chris McLellan, DT. Oklahoma: Robert Spears-Jennings, S; R Mason Thomas, DL. Ole Miss: Jared Ivey, Edge; Princely Umanmielen, Edge. South Carolina: Dylan Stewart, Edge; Nick Emmanwori, S. Tennessee: Joshua Josephs, Edge; James Pearce Jr., Edge. Texas: Vernon Broughton, DT; Andrew Mukuba, DB. Texas A&M: Reuben Fatheree II, OL; Shemar Stewart, DL. Vanderbilt: Gunnar Hansen, OL; Steven Hubbard, OL.
10. Trevor Etienne, RB (Georgia)
The Florida transfer busted loose in the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry, tallying 124 yards on 22 touches (88 rushing, 36 receiving) and scoring 2 Georgia touchdowns in the Dawgs’ 8th consecutive win over Auburn. Etienne graded out as the best running back in the country in Week 6, per PFF, showing vast improvement as a pass blocker, a weakness that held him behind Florida’s All-SEC running back Montrell Johnson Jr. during his tenure in Gainesville. On the year, Etienne has 372 total yards of offense and a success rate of 72% per touch, the highest of any Georgia player on offense. Electric with the ball in his hands in open space, the Auburn game should only be the beginning of Etienne’s emergence as a focal point of the offense.
9. Landon Jackson, Edge (Arkansas)
Jackson recorded 7 pressures, including 1 sack, in the Razorbacks’ 19-14 win over Tennessee. Jackson grades out as the best defender on a solid Arkansas defense that now ranks 23rd nationally in sacks, 20th in quarterback pressures and 39th overall in total defense. Jackson led the Razorbacks in pressures and helped limit Tennessee’s pass game to 5.4 yards per pass attempt and 5.1 yards per play overall, both season-lows for the Volunteers. On the season, Jackson has a team-high 19 pressures, 14 quarterback hurries and 3 sacks.
8. D’Eryk Jackson, LB (Kentucky)
Kentucky had a bye, but its star linebacker remains in the top 10, leading the Kentucky defense with 27 tackles, including 3 tackles for loss. Jackson also has 3 pass breakups, making him a 3-down mainstay for Mark Stoops’ salty defense. After shutting down Georgia and Ole Miss this season, the Wildcats ready for Vanderbilt’s balanced attack, which should be either flying high or the most hungover team in the history of sport — no possible in-between.
7. Walter Nolen, DT (Ole Miss)
Playing without Princely Umanmielen, who was on “The List” a week ago, Ole Miss pitched a near perfect game at South Carolina. Nolen was in the center of everything, collecting 5 tackles, including 3 for loss and 2 sacks. Nolen also registered 6 quarterback pressures and 4 hurries while grading out as the Rebels’ 2nd-best defender on the day (Trey Amos), per PFF.
#OleMiss iDL Walter Nolen is playing to his potential so far this season. Stacking multiple good games.
Big test vs. LSU this week. pic.twitter.com/WLSdOQH71I
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) October 8, 2024
On the season, Nolen has 24 tackles, 6 tackles for loss and 3 sacks. More important, he commands the attention of opposing defensive coordinators, freeing up Ole Miss’ brilliant edge players to win 1-on-1s consistently. The former 5-star recruit will face his toughest test of the season Saturday against a high-octane LSU offense.
6. Nic Scourton, Edge (Texas A&M)
Mike Elko knew he hit it big when he landed Scourton, the 2023 B1G leader in sacks, in the portal this offseason.
“We think Nic has a chance to be a force for us, both as a pass rusher and as an edge setter against the run, where he’s underrated. Teams have to scheme around him. That’s a huge advantage when you are as talented as we are up front,” Elko told SDS at SEC Media Days.
After a slow start, Scourton has delivered. He has 20 pressures on the campaign, 15 hurries, and has now tallied 4 sacks after adding 1.5 to his tally in Texas A&M’s rout of No. 9 Missouri. Scourton is commanding double teams on 28% of his snaps, too, per Stats Solutions. The impact of that is less focus on the Shemars (Turner and Stewart), who wreaked havoc together against Mizzou on Saturday.
The secondary is still a work in progress, but the Aggies now rank 17th in SP+ defense, 15th in success rate defense and 20th in scoring defense — the kind of numbers that make you a College Football Playoff contender.
5. Kelvin Banks, OT (Texas)
The Longhorns had a bye before the Red River Rivalry this weekend in Dallas. It was a productive bye, as Texas became the nation’s top-ranked team after Alabama’s loss at Vanderbilt. With Banks anchoring the Longhorns up front, Texas ranks 7th nationally in total offense, 3rd in offensive success rate and 2nd in SP+ offensive efficiency (adjusted offensive efficiency based on opponent strength and tempo). Now Banks will be trusted with protecting either Quinn Ewers or Arch Manning from a tenacious OU defensive line.
4. Tre Harris, WR (Ole Miss)
Harris was held in check, relatively speaking, in Ole Miss’ 27-3 rout of South Carolina. Harris still managed a 57-yard reception in the win, but caught a season-low 3 passes on 6 targets. Despite an “off night” by his prodigious standards, Harris still has 14 more receptions (52) than any other receiver in the SEC and leads the SEC in receiving by over 300 yards. Harris is a bona fide star who will get his moment on Saturday against LSU.
3. Ryan Williams, WR (Alabama)
The Alabama freshman did his best to bail the Crimson Tide out on Saturday in Nashville, turning a second consecutive eye-opening, crunch-time touchdown reception in Alabama’s 40-35 loss.
Ryan Williams is absurd pic.twitter.com/0s2Cn7JWOR
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) October 5, 2024
On a night when Jalen Milroe wasn’t entirely himself (fumble, interception), Williams did enough to win, despite commanding safety help on over 50% of the snaps he played, per Stats Solutions. On the season, Williams is averaging a staggering 28.6 yards per reception and has 6 touchdowns.
2. Dylan Sampson, RB (Tennessee)
The SEC’s best running back falls from the No. 1 spot after Tennessee’s loss at Arkansas, but he did as much as he could to retain the top ranking. Sampson had 138 yards rushing at a 6.3 yard per carry clip and scored both of Tennessee’s touchdowns. The junior from Baton Rouge also caught a pass, adding to his SEC high in first downs gained in the process. Sampson trails only Le’Veon Moss in rushing yards in the SEC through 6 weeks and his 12 touchdowns lead the conference. A rivalry game against a weak Florida run defense waits in the wings, where Sampson can reclaim the mantle as best player in the state of Tennessee and the SEC because …
1. Diego Pavia, QB (Vanderbilt)
We tried to tell y’all. Auburn fans tried to tell y’all, too. Finally, Diego just told y’all himself.
It’s hard to write a better script than a 2-star JUCO kid from Albuquerque who grew up idolizing Johnny Manziel going the full Manziel against Alabama on national television, but that’s what Pavia did on Saturday. A near perfect game, completing 16-of-20 passes (there were 2 throwaways and a drop) for 252 yards and 2 touchdowns and adding 56 hard fought yards on the ground on 20 rushing attempts. Pavia played turnover free football on a day Jalen Milroe did not, and made throws like this under intense pressure throughout the afternoon.
DIEGO PAVIA YOU MADMAN pic.twitter.com/R9y9a1IK0H
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) October 5, 2024
Pavia graded out at a 92.1, a national high this weekend, per PFF, and made 0 turnover worthy plays. On the season, Pavia’s 90.2 PFF grade is the 2nd-best in the SEC (Jaxson Dart) and he’s the only player in the SEC to lead his team in passing (973 yards, 8 touchdowns, 0 interceptions) and rushing (335 yards, 2 touchdowns).
Perhaps most magically, Pavia has made Vanderbilt football interesting.
Here at “The List,” we don’t care about the logo or brand. We rank the best players — and through 6 weeks of SEC football, Diego Pavia has been the best player in the SEC.
That IS Pac 12 Alabama. I told you so.
Another well thought out witty SDS commentary, volchoochootrain, sure wish I could be you.
Not even an honorable mention for Le’Veon Moss?
Gotta love the irony in Dylan Sampson accolades… Sampson trails only Le’Veon Moss in rushing yards in the SEC through 6 weeks…and yet, no Le’Veon. Not even honorable mention. Go figure…
Also Etienne isn’t even top 10 in the conference in rushing yards… Whack list. But Neil clearly doesn’t know ball.
Neil is one of the better ones SDS has on staff. In his defense, he hasn’t been on his A game ever since the ownership team overpaid for Friedlander and ordered all hands on deck to force feed All Cupcake Conference articles upon us ravenous SEC fans who actually support this SEC site.
Been hard to support SDS lately, especially as a Tiger Fan (the real Death Valley Tigers, that is). We didn’t get a new football article (besides Jayden Daniels in the NFL) for over 3 weeks. SMH. Hope you and yours are well Humpo.
Putting things back together still, rockymtn. Doing good, thx for the well wishes, and same to you and yours.
Between the force feeding of ACC and betting articles, it’s definitely losing it’s appeal but there is certainly a ray of sunshine in this newer slacker version of SDS, we don’t hear about UGa traffic violations and the such for hours and sometimes even days after they happen now it seems. In any event good luck to your boys this weekend…one team is going to be firmly in the CFP picture and the other will be up shinola creek without a paddle after the dust clears in BR Saturday night….Geaux tigahs…
Hope you made it through without too much damage and Godspeed with the clean-up. I’ve almost forgotten what it’s like to go through a big storm like that after being out here almost 30 years. As tragic as hurricanes can be, they also bring communities together in big ways.
You’re exactly right about this weekend in Death Valley, the winner earns just a little bit of breathing room and the loser just ain’t gonna make it. UGA should have a tune-up game as long as Miss St doesn’t go Anchor Down.
Cheers to taking care of your neighbors and your own. Geaux Tigahs!
He’s only leading because of the 1 more game we have played. I do believe Sampson is probably a better overall player, when Tenn plays their next game he should lead the SEC in rushing. But, Moss is still a top 3 RB in the SEC.
No, that’s not true. Moss also leads the conference in yards per carry. I think that at this point it is hard to argue against Moss being the best running back in the conference, and I am most certainly not a TAMU fan.
Agreed. Leading rusher in the SEC and #7 nationally. 7 ypc and 6 TDs. But they made sure to include the Arky RB, who has done all his damage against alphabet soup schools.
The hardest decision this week was the one I made on Moss. The reality for me is that the A&M line has been marvelous basically all year, save one game. I like to honor the big uglies up front. And if I don’t list Shemar Stewart in Honorable Mention, I omit a guy who is top 5 in pressures and QB hits in the SEC. Tough choice. Moss is balling out though.
Thanks for the interaction. Nice to hear where you’re coming from.
Like I said, Neil is one of the better ones…Neil, you just gotta get your agent to negotiate that “No ACC articles” clause in your next contract. Cheers amigo.
Sure, let’s just overreact all the way. Pavia the best for week 6? Yeah that seems reasonable.
Pavia the best player in the SEC?
Uh, no.
I do think it’s fair to have him in serious consideration for SEC Newcomer of the Year for his play. He is definitely playing like he deserves it.
Pavia’s PFF grade is 2nd among SEC qbs and he leads his team in rushing. He has 1 turnover worthy play all year (a fumble).
The guy has a tremendous amount of moxie. I’m good having him at no.1.
He also lost to Georgia State
Has Will Campbell given up a sack this season? Has Kelvin Banks?
Campbell has been on The List this year. He has not given up a sack, but grades out worse as a run blocker than Banks.
After UGA, pretty sure Banks has given up like 8
Jamón Dumas Johnson, D’Eryk Jackson and friends will detail the Diego Pavia hope train.
*derail the hope train*
Auto correct sucks. But Pimp Vandy will get a visit from Hope next Monday on SEC Shorts.
Let me help…will derail the Pavia hype train…you’re welcome.
I’m terrified about Pavia this Saturday. Coming off a bye week has never been our strong suit. Plus, we really haven’t proven anything yet. I’m optimistic. This game is not a lock.
I am sure the Bama defense was going to derail the Diego Pavia hype train also. So was the Missouri defense. No one has succeeded yet. He will probably have to derail himself to make opposing defenses look good against him.
I’m just kinda glad we don’t have to try to derail him…one tuff cookie dat boi is…
Author-
Do you have a photo of Hugh Freeze in your cubicle that you throw darts at? Your over-the-top stretching of a few sound bites into such extreme disdain is more off putting than you think. It’s a bit creepy, as well.
-Occasional Reader
He’s just a UF fan hoping another SEC team will circle the drain like his swamp puppies.
‘swamp puppies?’ i kind of like how obscure of a term that is, but maybe there’s an intended double-meaning to it that i’m just not aware of.
i think all critique and cuts on freeze are warranted. the guy is unwilling to accept any fault of his own and any time he speaks, it’s a whine here, or a whine there. from pre-game to halftime to post-game this past wknd, all words out his mouth were either excuses or deflections of his own shortcomings.
i’d be incensed if that was my school’s coach, but if you’re okay with it, far be it from me to get in the way. his hanging around aub isn’t going to hurt uga any.
I would like for Freeze to speak more eloquently, but it’s certainly not something to be “incensed” about. Maybe a rampant luxury, sports car speeding culture endangering the lives of sons and daughters of my university would incense me, but perhaps I’m just not as easily pissed. My coach saying that our qbs need to stop throwing the ball to the other team and such is just not what turns my wheels, even if I would say it differently. I will say the product in the field is a bit frustrating, but all this other is just over sensationalized beta gossip.
A truly remarkable performance by Vandy, even if Alabama didn’t bring its A game.
So Pavia has one great game—and a few others where he played well—and he’s suddenly better than Sampson?
Better check your criteria.
Pavia has been awesome all season, just like Sampson.
55% completion percentage against Georgia State in a losing performance. Awesome performance.
don’t worry. sampson will have an opportunity to reclaim the #1 spot in 2 wks. will he though?
You are aware of what’s around Diego Pavia, right? Sampson is a really good RB, but what Pavia has done in taking down Virginia Tech and now Alabama at Vanderbilt is a revelation. If his defense were just marginally better, he might very well be the QB of a 5-0 SEC team deserving of CFP discussion. Lost a double-OT game to Missourah and a clunker of a game against Georgia State where he was basically unstoppable in the fourth quarter, the defense was just lousy, and Lea’s defensive play calls were nonsensical.
I’d absolutely take Pavia over Iamaleava at this point… Pavia with Tennessee’s offense doesn’t lose to the Hogs. Pavia with Tennessee’s offense might just win a natty.
Interesting take SDores, don’t necessarily disagree.
It certainly is an interesting take. Dare I say Pavia with UGa’s OLine, ahh, never mind…if he was at UGa Kirby would probably have him (mis)slotted at 3rd on the depth chart.
No offense to the Vandy pass-catchers but they are not the equal of most of the teams in the SEC. Nor is the Vandy running game or defense. Pavia has to do more with somewhat less — and he mostly does.
Maybe it’s me, but I am confused every week when I read these. What is the ranking process? Does best mean best-performing or most talented? In either scenario, how is Pavia the best player in the SEC? He is very good, but not better than other members of this Top 10, or even many of the honorable mentions.
This makes no sense.
I think it’s safe to say no other QB in the league could have suited up for Vandy and got that result. He was possessed and it elevated everyone around him.
I strongly disagree.
What comes around goes around.
/Ratt
Everyone (except Bama fans) were Vandy fans last week.
May want to revisit Whit Weeks from LSU. 18 tackles?!?!?! When was the last time you heard a stat line like that?