Saturday Down South's Top 10 position units in SEC for 2016
Why is the SEC the best conference in America? No other league can keep up in terms of pure talent.
Admittedly, it’s not expected to be a great year at the quarterback position. Six of the 14 teams are yet to announce a starter despite most of them having already had a scrimmage during fall camp.
But at just about every other spot on the field, the SEC can go toe to toe with anyone. There is an embarrassment of riches at running back, even with Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry moving on to the NFL. A handful of pass rushers have the look and feel of possible first-round draft picks, too.
That being said, ranking the Top 10 individual position groups in the conference is no small chore. To help spread the wealth, I only went with one set of quarterbacks, one set of running backs, etc.
To review the Top 10 players at each position coming into 2016, feel free to click the links below:
Top 10 Quarterbacks
Top 10 Running Backs
Top 10 Wide Receivers
Top 10 Offensive Linemen
Top 10 Defensive Linemen
Top 10 Linebackers
Top 10 Defensive Backs
Now, here are the Top 10 individual position groups in the SEC. And don’t forget about the coaches.
10. Ole Miss tight ends
Evan Engram (below) is arguably the best player in the SEC at his position, and he’s primed for a big 2016.
Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
With the departure of Laquon Treadwell from the receiving corps, a No. 1 option is required for the Ole Miss passing game. Engram’s 38 catches this past year tied for the most among returning Rebels.
Behind Engram, watch out for Octavious Cooley, a four-star signee from the latest recruiting cycle.
9. Auburn offensive line
Losing Shon Coleman to the pros means left tackle remains a bit of a question mark for the Tigers.
But the interior is intact, with left guard Alex Kozan, center Austin Golson and right guard Braden Smith all returning to the starting lineup. That’s good news for Auburn’s ground game.
Kozan and Smith were preseason All-SEC picks, plus there are many options at the tackle spots.
8. Tennessee special teams
If you throw out the Alabama defeat, when he was a disastrous 0-for-3 on field-goal attempts, Aaron Medley was a solid kicker in 2015. Punter Trevor Daniel assembled a 45.7-yard average a season ago.
Evan Berry was otherworldly returning kicks last year, averaging 38.3 yards and scoring three TDs. As for the punt-return game, Cameron Sutton averaged 18.7 yards and made it to the end zone twice.
7. LSU defensive backs
At cornerback, Tre’Davious White could be another in a long line of first-round choices from Baton Rouge. He and his fellow corner, Kevin Toliver II, just need to record more interceptions in 2016.
As for the safeties, Jamal Adams picked off four passes a year ago and is one of the elite players in the conference at his position. The Bayou Bengals have all kinds of depth in the secondary, too.
6. Texas A&M wide receivers
Transfer quarterback Trevor Knight has to like his chances considering the targets at his disposal.
Christian Kirk is the one of the scariest pass catchers in the league. Alongside Speedy Noil (below), Josh Reynolds and Ricky Seals-Jones, that fearsome foursome can put serious pressure on any back seven.
Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
This is why spread offenses were invented: To get all these dangerous weapons on the field at once.
5. Alabama coaching staff
Offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin has elevated the Tide’s passing game and still run the ball well.
Losing Kirby Smart to Georgia likely won’t affect the defense that much. New coordinator Jeremy Pruitt used to coach the defensive backs in Tuscaloosa and won himself a ring as DC at Florida State.
And, of course, calling the shots is Nick Saban, who is on the short list of greatest coaches ever.
4. Ole Miss quarterbacks
Unquestionably, Chad Kelly is the premier signal caller in the league for 2016. He has a shot to be the first two-time 4,000-yard passer in SEC history. He’s also unbelievably entertaining to watch.
When it comes to the succession plan in Oxford, next in line is presumably five-star recruit Shea Patterson. If he soaks up everything he can from Kelly in 2016, he can be a star himself come 2017.
3. Texas A&M defensive line
A convincing case can be made that Aggies pass rusher Myles Garrett is the best player in the SEC, as he’ll be in the conversation for No. 1 overall in next April’s draft. He’s an unblockable force.
But he doesn’t do it alone in College Station. Fellow D-end Daeshon Hall can put his fair share of pressure on the passer, too. And then inside, Daylon Mack is coming off an impressive debut season.
2. LSU running backs
Leonard Fournette (below) is the best back in America and on everybody’s watch list for the Heisman Trophy.
Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Not only does he possess a rare combination of power and speed, but his vision in the face of chaos is a trait you can’t teach. No matter the opponent, he’s a threat for 200-plus yards on the ground.
Behind Fournette, Derrius Guice averaged 8.6 yards per rush in 2015 and would start for many teams.
1. Alabama linebackers
If you thought losing second-round pick Reggie Ragland would hurt this position group, think again.
The Crimson Tide are nothing short of loaded at linebacker, as Ryan Anderson, Reuben Foster and Tim Williams all made the preseason watch list for the Butkus Award. Williams, a pass-rushing specialist, didn’t even start in 2015.
There were only four five-star LBs for the recruiting class of 2016. Two signed with ‘Bama.
John Crist is the senior writer for Saturday Down South, a member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy. Send him an e-mail, like him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter.
