SEC Debate: Which current SEC star will have the best NFL career?
There are former SEC stars littered throughout all 32 NFL rosters, and there are plenty more poised to join the professional ranks in the next two years. This got us thinking about the futures of the current stars of the SEC, begging the question:
WHICH CURRENT SEC STAR WILL HAVE THE BEST NFL CAREER?
Jon Cooper (@JonSDS): Vernon Hargreaves
Finding an NFL lockdown corner is close to impossible, but Vernon Hargreaves will live on Hargreaves Island at the next level. He’s proven durable, and he’s as talented as any defensive player in the country. The lifespan of a great NFL cornerback is relatively long, and he’ll be a perennial Pro Bowler. Hargreaves possesses all the elite ability and is one of the most fluid cover corners we’ve seen since Patrick Peterson.
Ethan Levine (@EthanLevineSDS): Bud Dupree
Kentucky’s senior defensive end/linebacker hybrid was the SEC’s active career sacks leader entering this season, due to his freakish athletic abilities and his versatility within the UK defense. Dupree can line up with his hand in the ground as a traditional pass rushing defensive end, or he can play standing up as an outside linebacker capable of rushing the quarterback or playing in coverage. As the NFL transitions from 4-3 defenses to 3-4’s, Dupree’s versatility will allow him to have sustained success at the next level. Unlike a guy like Jadeveon Clowney, Dupree won’t have to learn a new position if he transitions from end to outside linebacker — he’s already done that in college. He’s a workout warrior and has great character in the locker room by all accounts, and should have a fabulous NFL career.
Christopher Smith (@csmithSDS): Robert Nkemdiche
He’ll be a first-round pick in 2016 at defensive tackle, assuming he stays out of trouble. Listed at 6-foot-4, 280 pounds, I expect him to be upwards of 290 when he enters the draft. He could slide to the outside in a 3-4 alignment as well. He hasn’t put up any huge numbers in college, but he’s a poor man’s Ndamukong Suh from his attitude to his ability to single-handedly blow up an offensive line to the menacing “N” in his name. Nkemdiche arrived at Ole Miss as perhaps the most touted defensive recruit in his class, and he’ll exit at a similar place. I can see him playing 10+ years in the NFL and making a few Pro Bowls.
Chris Walsh (@CrimsonWalsh): Amari Cooper
Part of me wants to say LSU running back Leonard Fournette, and there are some top-notch defensive players like Mississippi State’s Benardick McKinney and Florida’s Dante Fowler, but the guy I keep coming back to is Alabama’s Amari Cooper. Here’s a telling quote from Nick Saban’s press conferenceWednesday night when talking about Cooper attending one of Alabama’s camps as a recruit: “I walked away from that camp saying ‘You know this guy may be the best receiver we’ve ever had in our camps,’ and we’ve had some really good ones.”
Mack Dalton (@MackDalton): Kyle Christy
Christy is probably the MVP of the Florida Gators over the last 3 years. There is this new trend in the NFL of punters taking crazy good care of their bodies, so if Christy follows that mold, he could have a long, illustrious career as a directional field changer. Plus the fact that he barely has to get touched will probably add a number of years to his career, so that should allow him to remain in the league for a long time.
Brad Crawford (@BCrawfordSDS): Leonard Floyd
The Bulldogs’ leader in sacks this season with six, Floyd’s a raw talent with freakish athleticism who is only going to improve as he ages and develops into one of the NFL’s premiere pass rushers. He has Jadeveon Clowney-like speed and quickness, but needs to work on his strength. He’ll likely play outside linebacker at the next level and has tremendous upside at 6-foot-4, 235 pounds.
Brett Weisband (@WeisbandSDS): Benardrick McKinney
McKinney has a chance to be a part of the next generation of dominant linebackers at the pro level. He’s massive, listed at 6-foot-5 and 250 lbs. He’s explosive, with speed and quickness to get to ball carriers in a flash, leading one of the better defenses in the SEC in tackles. He’s got a nose for the ball, with 7.5 tackles for loss and 3 fumble recoveries this season. Scouts are already comparing him to guys like former Chicago Bear Brian Urlacher. If he has that kind of career, no one in the SEC today is going to come close to McKinney.
Jordan Cox (@JordanCox): Amari Cooper
I think Amari Cooper could have a huge career at the next level. He’s the best receiver in the best conference, and he gets each team’s best defender. No one has had an answer for him this season, and as a result he’s on pace for a record season at Alabama. His versatility, I think, will also be a factor NFL clubs like. He can line up out wide and he can line up in the slot. He’ll be the next in a long line of Alabama wide receivers to have nice NFL careers.
Jason Hall (@JasonHallSDS): Amari Cooper
The junior wide receiver should make an immediate impact in the NFL. Cooper possess the attributes to excel as a No. 1 receiver at the professional level. He has a quick burst, route running ability and is dangerous after the catch. Cooper can also contribute as a blocker, which has become a lost art among wide receivers.