Ranking the SEC's Top 25 offensive players for 2020
Editor’s note: Saturday Down South’s annual Top 25 week continues with the ranking of the best offensive players in the SEC.
Can we agree on something?
The SEC is the premier conference in college football. When you win 10 of the past 14 national titles and you’ve won the NFL Draft every year since the George Bush administration, you have the right to flex.
With that in mind, if I’m saying that someone is “an elite SEC player,” I need to have, you know, seen them be elite in the SEC. I’m not going to assume that someone is going to be elite based on what they did in high school or what they did in another conference. I could have a lot of confidence that the likes of Jamie Newman and K.J. Costello are going to have plenty of success, but there’s still a part of me that needs to see it to believe it. It’d be different if they were already All-Americans.
The 25 guys who made this list, I have seen and I now believe. Some admittedly took me longer to believe in than others (shoutout to Kyle Pitts). That’s OK. This list is about the players who I feel best about stepping on an SEC field tomorrow and dominating regardless of the competition. Only those playing are eligible. Ja’Marr Chase was No. 1, for instance, but no longer is included after opting out.
You’ll notice that this is simply a ranking of the SEC’s best offensive players. How does one compare a left tackle to a receiver? Well, much if this is how well they do their jobs. If you’re getting preseason All-America love, yes, that’s a sign that you’re doing your job well. There are, as you could guess, a lot of players who do their jobs very well. A lot of studs didn’t make this list.
But sorry, I couldn’t bring myself to rank a punter/kicker ahead of someone who plays dozens of snaps. Just know that if I did, Max Duffy, you would have been my guy.
So, let’s get to a ranking that surely we won’t be able to agree on.
25. Kellen Mond, Texas A&M QB
Mond is as polarizing a player as there is for SEC fans. If you want to come up with a narrative as to why he’s good or bad, well, you can. He’d be higher on this list if those opinions were a bit more unanimous. Like how he took the 2nd-most sacks among SEC quarterbacks each of the past 2 seasons, or how he averaged just 6.9 yards per attempt last year. There’s also his 2-6 record in true road games under Jimbo Fisher. But there’s also the fact that he’s on pace to become the 9th SEC player to record 100 career combined touchdowns, and he’s on pace to finish 4th among the SEC’s career leader in yards from scrimmage. Mond is on this spot because while the lack of season-to-season progression is frustrating, there’s still more good than bad. There’s also still throws like this:
Texas A&M QB Kellen Mond: Highest graded QB returning to the SEC in 2020.pic.twitter.com/BRwa94axN8
— PFF College (@PFF_College) May 30, 2020
24. Trevon Grimes, Florida WR
Big, big things are expected of Grimes in Gainesville in 2020. Like, real big. The 6-5 wideout gave Gator fans a scare when he initially didn’t report to practice, but he said he’s good to go for this season. That’s fortunate because there are few players in all of college football who should be able to test corners on the outside like Grimes. Oh, and he can make home-run plays like this:
Trevon Grimes went 66 yards to the house 😤 pic.twitter.com/lnTEw6toCZ
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 9, 2019
Grimes might not be a 60-catch guy in Dan Mullen’s offense, especially not in this shortened season. That’s OK. But what he brings to the table is unique and incredibly important for helping out Kyle Trask. The Gators lost a lot with Van Jefferson, Tyrie Cleveland and the underrated Freddie Swain. But Grimes and Kyle Pitts are going to be a matchup nightmare for smaller secondaries in the SEC.
23. Landon Young, Kentucky OT
What’s a crazy thought? Young is the first of 3 Kentucky offensive linemen who made this list. Yeah, that’s right. Young was a key part of Kentucky’s SEC-best ground game, and he also was the top-graded pass-blocker among SEC tackles last year. Of course, Kentucky didn’t throw the ball very much last year. That’s why he didn’t get as much love as some of the other offensive linemen in Lexington. Young returned to form after his torn ACL in 2018, and there’s no question that his decision to delay the NFL Draft was among the biggest for Kentucky.
22. Deonte Brown, Alabama OL
If you think that Alabama offensive linemen are overrated, sorry, this might not be the list for you. Actually, this might not be the season for you. Brown is the first of several Alabama offensive linemen who are, without question, among the best offensive players in the conference. The 350-pound senior provided a major boost in the ground game when he returned after missing the first 4 games of 2020. Alabama might not have had a historically dominant ground game, but it averaged 5.5 yards per carry and was plenty effective, especially in the latter half of 2019. With Brown, Landon Dickerson and Alex Leatherwood all back, the Crimson Tide are loaded with experience up front.
21. Zamir White, Georgia RB
I admit that I’m doing a slight bit of projecting here, but I still feel strongly about White’s ability to make plays from the jump. Without D’Andre Swift in the Sugar Bowl, we saw the former 5-star recruit flash the potential that folks in Athens have been raving about since he committed. White’s health delayed the start of his much-anticipated college career, but without Swift and Brian Herrien, this ground game is his for the taking (James Cook will also have a significant role). We saw what Nick Chubb did last year as a breakout star in Todd Monken’s offense (with the Cleveland Browns). Nobody — and I mean nobody — would be surprised to see White become the breakout star of the SEC in 2020.
20. Elijah Moore, Ole Miss WR
Let’s address the elephant in the room. Was Moore’s last impression in 2019 a good one? Obviously not. The fake dog pee celebration that poured gasoline on the Egg Bowl fire certainly earned him an infamous spot in the great history of the rivalry. But don’t overlook the fact that in an offense that wasn’t really based on airing it out in Rich Rodriguez’s system, Moore had 850 receiving yards and 6 scores. What will Moore do in Lane Kiffin’s offense, you ask? A lot. Moore is a good dark horse candidate to lead the SEC in receiving in 2020.
19. Landon Dickerson, Alabama OL
It’s probably not ideal for the rest of the SEC when Alabama has several offensive linemen listed on a preseason Top 25 list of the conferences best offensive players. Just a thought. Dickerson is certainly part of that group. The 5th-year senior was a second-team All-SEC selection last year at right guard (he also started 9 games at center). He only missed 4 assignments in 727 snaps for an Alabama offensive line that was better than advertised. Nobody has to tell Dickerson to play with a mean streak. It’s certainly there. Nobody will ever accuse Dickerson of not playing to the whistle:
Flex on em’ Landon Dickerson…#PassProIsNotPassive pic.twitter.com/1H07fZ0t8B
— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) September 29, 2019
His emergence last year after transferring from Florida State was huge for an Alabama offense that broke all sorts of program records. Alabama’s return to a national title is dependent on that offensive line making another step in 2020.
18. Jhamon Ausbon, Texas A&M WR
Ausbon quietly averaged 5.7 catches in his first 11 games last year as Mond’s clear go-to target. He might not make the same flashy downfield plays that some of the receivers ahead of him make, but make no mistake, Ausbon is one of the SEC’s best. He can line up on the outside, he can make people miss in screens and he can catch balls in traffic. That’s exactly what Mond needs. A&M’s offense isn’t always going to scheme receivers open like an LSU or an Alabama, but it helps to have a reliable target like Ausbon, who will no longer share the spotlight with Quartney Davis and Kendrick Rogers. Ausbon’s first 1,000-yard season should be on the way.
17. George Pickens, Georgia WR
Am I excited to see Pickens in Georgia’s new offense? Uh, yeah. Of course. If we get Pickens and Jamie Newman at full strength for the duration of 2020, that’s going to be must-see TV. But do I have questions about Pickens’ ability to consistently get separation against elite corners? Yeah. As much as he stole the show in the Sugar Bowl, it’s easy to forget that in the regular season, he had 37 catches for 552 yards. He might have as much upside as anyone in the conference, but we still need to see that consistently. That’s why he’s not as high as some of the other more proven receivers on this list. But if Pickens does put it all together in 2020, he’ll be as fun to watch as anyone.
16. Terrace Marshall, LSU WR
Friends don’t let friends tell each other that Marshall is just a system receiver. Not too many guys can suffer a midseason foot injury and still catch 13 touchdowns. Marshall might have benefited from Justin Jefferson and Chase taking up so much attention, and sure it helps when you’ve got the Heisman Trophy winner throwing you passes. But don’t get it twisted. Now that he’s finally healthy after ankle, shoulder and fibula injuries, Marshall is ready to be a star in this league. With Chase opting out, he has to be just that. Even if he doesn’t match those 13 touchdowns, those reception and yardage numbers are going up. Get ready for more plays like this:
Terrace Marshall Jr : 3 catches for 46 yards & a TD pic.twitter.com/ZfuUdsuxfJ
— Lee Harvey (@MusikFan4Life) January 14, 2020
15. Trey Hill, Georgia OL
So this is … impressive:
Fewest QB pressures allowed by power-five OL with 400+ snaps:
1. Trey Hill, Georgia – 2
2. Donell Stanley, SC – 4
3. Blake Brandel, Oregon St – 5
4. Marquel Harrell, Auburn – 6 pic.twitter.com/uLQhd0wmhL— PFF College (@PFF_College) July 10, 2020
Hill might not have had the versatility of Cade Mays, and he wasn’t held in the same regard as Andrew Thomas, but his presence was extremely important for Georgia in 2019. He’s one of the lone returning starters in Todd Monken’s offense. His leadership will be crucial what’ll be largely a new-look unit. So much of what Georgia wants to be able to do is going to be predicated on keeping the quarterback upright whether they’re throwing or running. With the exception of the quarterback position, there might not be a single player on the Georgia roster whose health is more important than Hill’s.
14. Seth Williams, Auburn WR
We take for granted how easy guys like Williams make it look. That is, have the ability to get position on a corner and have the skill go to up, make a play and come down inbounds. Williams is as good as anyone in the SEC at doing just that. In Chad Morris’ offense, I have no doubt that he’ll be called on to do that a lot more. To have 830 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns with such an inefficient passing offense is impressive. Williams and Anthony Schwartz have potential to be a special combination given their complementary skill sets. If there’s a guy who can prevent one of the favorites (Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith) from getting first-team All-SEC honors, it’s Williams.
13. Jerrion Ealy, Ole Miss RB
I do want to say that Snoop Conner doesn’t get enough love, and I’m guilty of that. Ealy is the 5-star, multi-sport weapon who I’m giddy to see in Lane Kiffin’s offense. I don’t think Ealy has the size to ever be a 250-touch guy in the SEC, but that’s OK. He makes the most of his opportunities both as a back and as a kick returner. Not many SEC freshmen backs average 6.9 yards per carry and catch 20 passes. I think there’s a 1,400 scrimmage-yard season in Ealy’s future, especially if he continues to make home-run plays.
Ya’ll Jerrion Ealy is really, really good at this whole football thing pic.twitter.com/6l66Sp89Xm
— Nathanael Gabler (@nategabler) October 6, 2019
12. Jalen Wydermyer, Texas A&M TE
There’s a lot of youth on this list. Why? SEC true freshmen like Wydermyer made a lot of noise on 2019. He broke out with a 2-touchdown game against Alabama, but Wydermyer was certainly more than a 1-game wonder. He had 447 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns, but equally impressive was the fact that he forced more missed tackles than all but 2 returning tight ends. At 6-5, 260 pounds, Wydermyer is a huge target with major downfield ability (he had 5 catches of 20-plus yards in 2019). Kyle Pitts is going to get a lot of the preseason love for the SEC’s best returning tight end, and understandably so, but Wydermyer isn’t very far behind him.
11. Kyle Trask, Florida QB
I know the Pro Football Focus numbers hate Trask. They say he can’t throw deep and that he doesn’t make big-time throws. While I think Trask can improve his downfield accuracy, anyone who says he’s an average quarterback at best clearly didn’t watch him very much last year. So what if he isn’t a prototypical fit in Dan Mullen’s offense? It’s irrelevant that he was the lowest-ranked signee offered in Florida’s 2016 class … or that he didn’t start post-freshman year of high school (in case you haven’t heard). You don’t complete 67% of your passes (he finished below 60% in 1 game all year) and score 29 touchdowns in essentially 10.5 games of work for a New Year’s 6 Bowl champ unless you know what you’re doing. He’s the best returning quarterback in the league until proven otherwise.
10. Rakeem Boyd, Arkansas RB
This still blows me away:
Consider this a reminder that Rakeem Boyd averaged 6 yards per carry in multiple Chad Morris offenses at Arkansas, which I’m not sure many human beings could’ve done. pic.twitter.com/AFl1nSnmoA
— Connor O’Gara (@cjogara) July 24, 2020
Yes, he deserves a medal for that.
The fact that Boyd returned was a surprise considering how much he did with that aforementioned disastrous Chad Morris offense. He should be the focal point of Kendal Briles’ offense. If Sam Pittman can work his magic on the offensive line, Boyd will be better for it, as well. Boyd is up there for “the best running back that nobody outside the SEC talks about.” I don’t know if there’s a running list, but if there is, the former “Last Chance U” star is high on it.
9. Drake Jackson, Kentucky C
So remember how Kentucky essentially ran the ball with the volume of a service academy and led the Power 5 with rushing? Oh, and remember how that happened with a receiver essentially running the wild cat? Well, Jackson was a huge part of that. Pro Football Focus graded Jackson as the most valuable returning center in America. He only missed 2 blocking assignments in 845 plays last year en route to first-team All-SEC honors. If you’re wondering how Kentucky has had such a successful interior running game for the last couple years, look at the guy who has a streak of 33 consecutive starts at center. And even if Kentucky does pass more this year — it definitely will — Jackson has allowed just 1 snack in 974 pass-block snaps.
8. Kyle Pitts, Florida TE
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. There’s not an SEC weapon more intriguing than Pitts. I’m a believer that the Florida “tight end” should really just be called “a large dude who catches passes at an elite level.” Too wordy? We’ll workshop that. In the meantime, I’ll appreciate how Pitts caught 54 passes for 649 yards as a first-time starter last year. That’s why he’s widely considered one of the top returning tight ends (if not the top returner with Penn State’s Pat Freiermuth not playing fall football). Pitts is simply a matchup nightmare. He can improve as a blocker, but it’s hard to imagine him being a more perfect weapon in Dan Mullen’s offense.
Kyle Pitts getting a brick in 2020 pic.twitter.com/w8RlAuG9GR
— No gimmicks, Just turnovers (@AshGotJuice) December 1, 2019
7. Darian Kinnard, Kentucky OL
Not familiar with Kinnard? SEC fans should be after the year he had helping pave the way for the leading rushing attack among Power 5 teams. The giant offensive tackle (345 pounds) started every game for the Wildcats last year and was easily the highest-graded returning SEC offensive lineman (PFF). Why? Well, he only committed 1 penalty in 706 snaps, he had 32 knockdowns and Kentucky successfully ran the ball against defenses … despite the fact that they knew exactly what was coming.
Darian Kinnard is a hoss. If he’s not first team preseason All-SEC we riot. pic.twitter.com/0i0pedAOru
— Adam Luckett (@AdamLuckettKSR) May 1, 2020
A team can’t do that without offensive linemen who impose their will at the point of attack like Kinnard. He’s the best player on that experienced group of returning starters up front, which is saying something. If you’re wondering why people are high on Kentucky, it’s because of guys like Kinnard.
6. Najee Harris, Alabama RB
Harris does things that sometimes make me think I’m watching Adrian Peterson. The anger in which he runs with is evident. When he makes plays in the open field like he did in South Carolina, you can’t help but think about his next-level potential. I mean, Harris tried to hurdle a guy in a spring game. He’s got a competitive switch that doesn’t get turned off. His only weakness — if you can really call it that — is his vision. Could that improve as a senior? Absolutely. But even if Harris, who is no longer working alongside the best passer in Alabama history, doesn’t get a major volume increase (236 scrimmage touches) just repeating last year’s production would be a win. He was the first Alabama back with 1,500 scrimmage yards and 20 touchdowns since Derrick Henry in 2015. Alabama is fortunate to return a proven, potential All-American tailback.
5. Kylin Hill, MSU RB
I give Hill credit for what he did last year. He took on 8-men boxes and carried that often dormant MSU offense. Like Harris, it was a surprise to see Hill return after his big junior year (260 scrimmage touches for 1,530 yards). Unlike Harris, Hill returned to play in an entirely new offense. Watching him in Mike Leach’s Air Raid is going to be fascinating on a variety of fronts. Hill could finish the season with half as many carries per game that he had in Joe Moorhead’s offense, but he could catch upwards of 45-50 passes in a 10-game season. His rushing numbers won’t be up there with the likes of Harris, Boyd and others, but Hill could still be in for a big year, just in a different way than we’re used to seeing from elite SEC backs.
4. Jaylen Waddle, Alabama WR/RET
What does it say that a team’s No. 4 receiver from last season is a borderline top-5 returning player in the conference? For starters, it says that those receivers were historically good. Waddle would’ve been a No. 1 receiver at the vast majority of Power 5 programs last year. But despite the fact that his numbers took a dip with so much talent around him, Waddle is still an All-American weapon. We certainly got a reminder of that against Auburn, when he had 4 total touchdowns (3 receiving, 1 kickoff return). He’s the most slippery player in college football, and I’m not sure it’s close. Nobody is a bigger threat to take a 15-yard pass and turn it into a home-run play against a secondary who’s a step too late. The nation’s best return man is going to find new ways to amaze. Waddle is a clear favorite to win the Paul Hornung Award.
3. Alex Leatherwood, Alabama OL
Leatherwood turned down a potential 1st-round payday to return to Alabama. That doesn’t happen that often in Tuscaloosa. Leatherwood is able to play any position on the offensive line, which is important in a year like this one when there could be more non-injury absences than ever. Leatherwood didn’t allow a single sack in 440 pass-protection snaps last year (PFF). Not enough was made about the fact that Alabama allowed only 12 sacks all year, which was the fewest per game among Power 5 teams. Leatherwood was charted by Alabama for missing just 7 assignments in 752 snaps. There’s a reason why he’s a preseason All-American everywhere you look. The Crimson Tide are relying on that offensive line to be the steadying force after losing a stunning 4 offensive players in the first 15 picks (!) of the NFL Draft. Leatherwood is the most important piece of that puzzle.
2. Trey Smith, Tennessee OL
Smith has been at Tennessee long enough to remember what the offensive line used to be. It was a porous, ineffective unit that used to be the clear weak link. Now, it looks like the strength of the team, and Smith is a major reason why that’s the case. Smith, who started at left guard in a healthy 2019 season, didn’t allow a sack all year. And while the Vols’ ground game could’ve been much better, Smith was a major reason why it found its stride in the latter half of 2019.
Tennessee guard Trey Smith:
🏈 0 QB sacks allowed in 2019
🏈 Highest-graded interior run-blocker returning to the SEC pic.twitter.com/2BNzkFKzvH— PFF College (@PFF_College) June 14, 2020
Smith is a remarkable story having dealt with the blood clots issue that once threatened his career. But he’s more than just a feel-good story during Tennessee’s rebuild under Jeremy Pruitt. Smith is the type of player that Tennessee lacked for far too often during the last decade. Especially with Oregon’s Penei Sewell not having a fall season, the preseason All-American now has as good a shot as anyone to win the Outland Trophy.
1. DeVonta Smith, Alabama WR
Yes, this spot would’ve gone to Chase. Duh. But Smith is by no means a bad option for No. 1, either.
The catch radius is absurd, the production is remarkable and the next-level potential is overwhelmingly obvious. Well, I think that just about covers it! If you think Smith is just a product of the offense, consider this. In a group that included top-15 picks Henry Ruggs and Jerry Jeudy with the aforementioned Waddle, Smith had 1,256 yards and 14 touchdowns. Mercy. I feel like Smith led the nation in demoralizing defenses who thought they had him contained. That’s not a thing? It should be. This play, against Derek Stingley Jr., is exactly why Smith is widely considered a preseason All-American and a future Round 1 pick:
Devonta Smith is really good at this football thing pic.twitter.com/LNr7PiXezy
— Carter Donnick (@CDonnick3) November 9, 2019
Come on. That’s not fair. Making massive plays against Stingley was just about the most impressive thing that one could do on a football field in 2019. Smith, even without Tagovailoa, should be in for another huge year with Jeudy and Ruggs off to the NFL. Heads up, Amari Cooper.
For Trask to be so good, and for Mullen to be such a QB guru… I still can’t wrap my brain around Franks starting last year.
Franks was far more physically gifted, and his ceiling was higher than Trask. For a bit, Franks looked like THE guy.
This
Exactly, plus Franks is more vocal and his teammates love him.
Trask is a heck of a lot more consistent though
Franks doesn’t know where to go with the ball consistently. Trask does.
Franks had a really strong finish to the 2018 season and looked like the light had finally been turned on for him. He looked really bad against Miami and then had a good game against the patsy. He was looking very bad against Kentucky and I am positive we would have lost that game had Trask not come in.
I agree with everything you just said! And I agree that Trask was a consistent QB last year.
I agree. Franks had all the talent but just got lost at times during games. He seemed like Marino at times and then a couple of plays resembled Bortles.
Sold.
A couple of observations:
1. Kentucky is going to have a very good OL. They were good last year and I didn’t realize how many guys came back.
2. I think Pickens should be ranked higher. He was awesome towards the end of last year.
Our O line is top 3 in the country, maybe top 1. That’s why we are so confident about Terry having success this year. He might not be the same physically but he will have plenty of time in the pocket.
13 TDs, 8 interceptions… if KY had a NFL caliber QB with the current O-line, unstoppable. QBs that throw that many interceptions is the governor on your engine, you will never achieve full throttle.
I know his numbers aren’t great, but he spent a large chunk of 2018 clearly hobbled (except for the last 1:09 of the Mizzou game). There’s an article on SDS explaining the fairly significant injury he played through.
Last year before his injury he played six quarters against MAC teams. He looked very sharp slinging it around, a perfectly placed pass is perfectly placed whether it’s against Toledo or Tennessee. I’m more concerned about the receivers, after last year I have no idea whether they are good or not. Terry will be very good though and I’d be willing to bet he makes the postseason version of this list.
Yes Connor, the people at PFF DID watch Kyle Trask and came to the conclusion that he’s not a good QB.
He’s a mediocre QB who had amazing pass catchers who did almost all the work after catching little 2, 5, and 10 yard dink and dunk passes from Kyle.
What’s gonna happen now that almost all those guys except Pitts is gone?
I’ll tell you what’s gonna happen: All the people, like you, claiming Trask is so good, are gonna look so dumb.
Don’t think we can regress to your level of dumbness. You keep moving the stupid bar at a rate that’s impossible to equal. Captain obvious has you pegged at 5 star level on the stupid train.
And yet, you didn’t actually refute a single point I made (because you can’t), you just attacked me personally.
Sounds about right, ‘turd. Hah!
Hello, Kettle?
It’s the Pot.
You’re black.
Corch I’ve watched you attack people here all the time. That’s why. I’ve watched you, tdow and several others make condescending statements over and over again. You use homophobic slurs and are just one angry person that is totally obsessed with the Gators. I’d hate to be you.
All the points you made are incorrect. You can keep what the people at PFF say about QBs. I rather have the actual stats that Trask put up like completion %, number of TDs vs INTs and passing yards and you keep Heisman Newman and his awesome ability to fit passes into tight windows.
BTW, we did not lose all of our experienced WRs, we have Grimes and Copeland back and of course the best TE in the country.
You are just like your favorite movie, dumb and dumber
What you don’t get, ‘turd, is I don’t just insult. I refute your ridiculous points with far more cogent points. THEN I insult, because you deserve it.
Also, ‘turd isn’t an insult. It’s just what all you Floriduh fans are. The Floriduh ‘turds.
Also, I have never once used a “homophobic slur” against anyone, anywhere. I challenge you to produce an example. Good luck finding one to excuse your libel here.
Gayturds? Ring a bell?
That was me, actually. Sorry, the name just cracks me up too much. “Homophobic” is pretty petty given the abundance of humor stereotyping other belief systems, ethnicities, and cultures that prevails in our society today.
Good luck in the upcoming season, and may your disgusting uniforms get dragged up and down the field in every game to the tune of zero wins.
Yep, that’s not me, d-bag. I do call y’all ‘turds, though. As in Gaturds. Because y’all ARE ‘turds.
“DING! Fries are done!”
Oh, RealBalls, you’re gonna have such a disappointing season. You can keep your completion percentage when it comes to the fact that Trask is one of the worst QBs in all of CFB on passes that travel more than 10 yards past the line of scrimmage. It literally proves my point that he’s a dinker and a dunker whose receivers literally do all the work to inflate his stats.
Emory Jones, who isn’t all that great either, will be y’all’s starting QB by the end of the season. Kyle Trask will be quickly forgotten. And yet, you, all your ‘turd friends, and people like Connor here will still tell us all that Sideshow Dan the Clown is some kind of QB Guru offensive genius.
You guys can have that fairy tale. We’ll enjoy our fourth straight trip to Atlanta.
Hope you find a qb. I’ll stick with ours. He didn’t transfer and stuck it out. He was the first Gator publicly declaring he wanted to play. Knock him all you want because it shows your lack of football intelligence
Shut up. There’s no “we” when you contribute nothing to a group of hard-working young men whose incredible success you’re pompously projecting all over an internet board. Trask is more of a dink/dunk QB, yes, but stop saying “we’ll enjoy” like you’re a position coach or something.
I say we because I am a Bulldog. That’s the way it goes when you’re an alumnus. Don’t really care what you think otherwise. I gave my literal blood, sweat, tears, and a boatload of money to UGA. I am a Bulldog. I get to say we.
I don’t use “we” when talking about the Braves or Falcons.
I am now picturing the annoying “Weeeeeeeee” pig hanging out the window in the Geico commercial. Seems appropriate. Does the “G” stand for Geico?
I think it stands for “God made blood red for a reason”, though we seem to see Florida’s on the ground far more often as of the immediate past.
“Shut up. There’s no “we” when you contribute nothing to a group of hard-working young men whose incredible success you’re pompously projecting all over an internet board.”
lol lil kirby – that’s almost verbatim the babble you were chasing me with last week. You sound like a broken record.
Still waiting on your answer – are you male or female?
“We” as in the college football fans watching the Cocktail Party, moron.
I am a proud hetero male. I don’t even want to know what made up “gender identity” you classify yourself under.
Well now Georgia fans are trolling Georgia fans about Florida quarterback…
classic
I’ll take Alex Leatherwood as the first pick in my SEC offensive player draft. He’ll be a top 5 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. After Lawrence and Fields go, Leatherwood could be as high as #3, and if Fields’ value drops, he could even be #2. It may depend on what the great OL from Oregon does between now and next Spring.
Combine hype will probably place Sewell above Leatherwood. That’s usually what places SEC stars’ nonconference counterparts ahead of them. Heck, people were actually projecting a Louisville OT to go ahead of Thomas and Wills Jr.
Biggest take from this list—–only 2 qbs and per the author, had chase not opted out, there would have only been 1, as mond wouldn’t have been in the top 25.
with the lsu, aub and uga fan bases opining that they’re pretty set at the qb position in 2020, curious as to their take of their qb omitted. On that point, one could argue that mac jones’ stats from 2019 outline that he may be the best returning qb.
Mac has a low ceiling but has good weapons to work with, Newman comes from a garbage conference but has nice physical tools, LSU’s QB has little starting experience but a good system to work in, and Bo Nix has a high ceiling but was too erratic last year to safely project as one the top 25 offensive players in the SEC.
I partially agree with your comments, but differ on the following:
jones- why does he have a low ceiling? he was a 4* and top 15 qb prospect coming out of hs. i believe opinions on him have been hampered on account of who he backed-up and who’s coming in this year, as well the fact that bama has been pulled in many more highly regarded qb recruits since 2015 than where he ranked at. if you simply look at his stats from 2019: 68.8 comp %, 14 tds, 3 int and qb rating of 186.8, even if he stays at that ‘ceiling,’ he’d likely be the best qb in the league in 2020.
uga- my comment had more to do that they likely have at least one very viable option amongst newman and daniels. one could fail miserably, but the odds of both of them failing is slim.
lsu- true, they likely have a good system, but that’s discounting how much brady brought to the game plan each week and the decision making, execution by burrow. there’s no doubt they’ll take a step back
aub- their fans are counting on a big 2nd year improvement from nix with some experience under his belt. based on limited experience in game action at the college level, i question why you say nix has a high ceiling, but jones doesn’t
I want to interject here. Mac’s ceiling is low comparatively and you literally just detailed why. Ignoring that he’s not the most physically gifted qb in the nation and there you go.
I detailed why, how? By referring to his HS recruit ranking? By referring to his outstanding 2019 stats?
My point is that the majority seem to have a sub-consciously low opinion of his potential due to the first couple of sentences I made in the above passage, while I countered that his stats suggest that he should have a high ceiling.
No where in my comments have i stated that he’s not physically gifted.
if you cut and paste those stats over a full season to mond or trask and they’d be top 5….no questions asked.
I never said YOU Said he’s not physically gifted. You’re being very defensive here so I’m assuming that’s why you’ve misread that? Projecting your defensiveness.
Aside from that, yes, by detailing his high school rankings and the qb’s around him. Jalen, Tua have higher ceilings. Bryce has a higher ceiling. Look to other schools, Lawrence, Fields have a higher ceiling so and so on.
I get it, you like the kid, I do too. But again, comparatively, he doesn’t have a high ceiling. Ten story buildings are pretty high until you start comparing them to the three surrounding buildings that are twenty stories.
Also, stats don’t prove a ceiling. Ceiling is a subjective potential. I never said Mac was not a great quarterback. I think he’s going to do fine unlike some people who expect Bryce to start this year eventually. But if your best defense is “he gets compared to the people around him” then…there you go.
Put it this way: athletes like Newman, Nix, Daniels, & Lawrence have high ceilings than Jones does, especially given the latter’s stats are aided by a support cast of Najee Harris, Jaylen Waddle, and Devonta Smith.
Mac Jones was starting QB when Tua was hurt for Bama’s last two games for 2019:
Bama vs Auburn 26/39 (66.6%), 335 yards 4 TD, 2 INT. One of those INT was not his fault.
Auburn QB Bo Nix: 15/30 (50%), 173 yards, 1 TD.
Bama vs Michigan 16/25 (64%), 327 yards, 3 TD.
*Fromm vs Auburn 13/28 (46.4%), 110 yards, 3 TD
* I used Fromm in this game since both QB’s played
against Auburn at JHS.
I think Mac Jones can be a lot better this season and he has a lot of confidence. His teammates are impressed with him too. I’m anxious to see 5* Bryce Young (QB) play as backup too.
You got to love it… Mac can’t be good and if he does good it’s only because of the players around him…
You got to love logic from UGA fans. Their OC was going to be a huge upgrade, till it wasn’t… A QB that lost his job at WF is not the best there is because he changed Jerseys…
Nonsense…
Now the best there is *
You can’t find anything that I said which projected Coley as a huge upgrade or anything close to that. His mediocre production at Miami worried me some, but I did mistakenly assume we couln’t get much more bland than Chaney’s worst.
As for Newman, I see you’re still banging the idiotic drum that supposedly every UGA fan on the planet is predicting a Heisman season for him, which none of us are doing. Considering UGA’s dreary lack of returning experience/production (again) at the pass-catching corps, I would at this point predict Jones to have a better season than Newman.
To be fair the LSU and UGA QBs were omitted because they have no SEC tape, same for Costello
Najee Harris is better than Kylin Hill.
This times 1000. Kylin Hill is a good but look at the stats he put up against good, solid defenses (Bama, LSU, Auburn, Tenn) and he was below average.
UA had their best throwing QB in history. Our opponents were stacking the box.
That’s a good point, and I love Kylin Hill, but Harris is still better.
Uh, John Rhys Plumlee?
Plumlee gets no respect. That guy is the most exciting player in the SEC. He outran the entire Mizzou defense on one play and I believe I saw him do the same thing to Bama. The guy’s a stud. Mond is a dud.
Of course Schwartz is not on this list because it was written by O’Gara..
I think it is because he really isn’t anything special. Very fast runner, but that is about it at this point in his career.
He actually has great hands (don’t recall many if any drops). I don’t have a big issue with him not being on the list because he basically missed the entire year with injury.
In footage, he’s showed more moves to go along with speed. Hopefully he can step up.
I love watching Trey Smith play on the O Line. Phenomenal player.
Kyle Trask over Jamie Newman, yeah right. Jamie Newman is a grown man who can actually throw the ball more than 5-10-15 yards.
Just wait until the NFL draft “ratings” comes out. Is Trask even considered a legit NFL prospect????
SDS should be charged with a crime for the way they pump up turd nation with faux grandeur and delusional expectations.
NFL Draft Ratings aren’t really indicative of results in College. Fromm ended up being a 5th round pick. Danny Wuerfell went in the fourth but was one of the most prolific QBs in SEC history (Heisman trophy, multiple SEC titles, National champion). With QBs a lot of times it comes down to decision making and system. Trask has both working for him. No one ever gave him a chance to be where he was today, but has proven the doubters wrong and is great story for college foootball. But hey, Haters gonna hate.
Really? Wuerfell most prolific?
Trask (6-5/240) is a bigger grown man than Jamie Newman (6-4/230) and the idea that he has no arm strength is an unfounded myth.
The opinions of the British soccer fan statisticians at PFF aside, he is a legitimate pro prospect.
Trask is listed by CBS as a first round pick and top 32 player. They have Newman as neither. Everybody gets an opinion.
WWW DOT PFF DOT COM/NEWS/COLLEGE-FOOTBALL-QUARTERBACK-RANKINGS-ALL-130-FBS-STARTERS
3. JAMIE NEWMAN, GEORGIA
There might not be a more underrated player in college football than Newman, who is set to join Georgia from Wake Forest. Wake didn’t cater to Newman’s arm talent as much as it should have, as they instead relied heavily on his athleticism in the ground attack. Newman’s mobility is a great attribute, but his arm talent is far superior. His touch downfield is arguably the best in the country, and it was instrumental in him producing the second-best deep (20-plus-yard throws) passing grade among Power 5 quarterbacks. The new Georgia signal-caller wasn’t necessarily in an ideal situation at Wake Forest, given his usage, the RPO-heavy offense and the lack of separators in the receiving unit. He actually had to throw into a tight window at a higher rate than any quarterback in the country, yet he overcame that and earned the second-best passing grade on such throws. Now, Newman will go to a Todd Monken-led offense at Georgia that will cater to his strengths and is boosted by an incredible supporting cast. Dawg nation is in line for a lot of success with Newman — and not J.T. Daniels — under center.
48. KYLE TRASK, FLORIDA
Trask displayed dependable accuracy (11th in FBS in accurate pass rate beyond the line of scrimmage), which again is the top trait you want in a quarterback, but also had really poor decision-making. He had a -13 differential in big-time throws and turnover-worthy plays last year (9:22), which was tied for fourth-worst in the country. For perspective, only two other SEC quarterbacks had a negative differential, and they both sat at -1. In terms of big-time throw rate and turnover-worthy play rate, Trask ranked 116th and 110th in the FBS. He got extremely lucky on most of those turnover-worthy plays, which made his box score stats look better than he actually was.
—————————————-
www dot cbssports dot com/college-football/news/2020-heisman-trophy-odds-predictions-picks-best-bets-from-top-college-football-expert-whos-40-22/
2020 Heisman Trophy odds
1 Justin Fields, Ohio State 7-2
2 Trevor Lawrence, Clemson 4-1
3 Jamie Newman, Georgia 10-1
.
.
14 Kyle Trask, Florida 30-1
—————————————–
247sports dot com/LongFormArticle/College-football-2020-season-latest-Heisman-Trophy-odds-Justin-Fields-Trevor-Lawrence-Jamie-Newman-146998085/#146998085_1
Latest Heisman Trophy odds, new front runner for 2020
JUSTIN FIELDS, QB, OHIO STATE (+350)
TREVOR LAWRENCE, QB, CLEMSON (+400
JAMIE NEWMAN, QB, GEORGIA (+1000)
Trask was not on the list
—————————————–
www dot si dot com/gambling/2020/05/05/heisman-trophy-betting-odds
2020 Heisman Trophy Odds: Justin Fields Alone at the Top
1 Justin Fields 7/2
2 Trevor Lawrence 4/1
3 Jamie Newman 10/1
.
.
15 Kyle Trask 30/1
——————————————
etc etc etc etc etc etc
LSUSMC – so you made the statement “Trask is listed by CBS as a first round pick and top 32 player. They have Newman as neither. Everybody gets an opinion.”
What did CBS Sports actually say, how about we check with CBS Sports:
www DOT cbssports DOT com/nfl/draft/prospect-rankings/
2021 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
No. 8 – Jamie Newman, QB, Georgia
No. 50 – Kyle Trask, QB, Florida
Oooooppppss!
You are still an idiot. I don’t think I will ever get tired of writing that fact. I was referring to the article by Ryan Wilson. Trask is the #32 prospect and one of six QB’s listed. Newman was not one of the six. Odd how you can go to the site and not see that. But, you are so biased that I’m not surprised. If things don’t fit your narrative, they don’t count.
Ryan Wilson CBS Sports Mock Draft article – wwwDOTcbssportsDOTcom/nfl/draft/mock-draft/expert/ryan-wilson/
In that article Jamie Newman is listed as the 8th pick of the 1st round by the Las Vegas Raiders
“Jamie Newman, QB, Georgia: Newman transferred from Wake Forest to Georgia and he’ll enter next season on everyone’s first-round radar. Added bonus: Las Vegas added three WRs in the draft.”
Kyle Trask is not mentioned in the entire article.
You found a different article. Good for you. The one I referenced is the more recent and still on the football front page. You don’t have to a knowledge that though.
ok LSUSMC, I’ll practice what I preach about being a man and taking an aass whipping, well a partial aass whipping.
I googled Ryan Wilson CBS and mock draft, the article I referenced was the first hit. And, that article is not dated.
You get 1/2 credit.
I’ll take it.
It Wednesday at 5:20 p.m. and Jamie Newman has opted out of 2020, making this thread really funny.
C21…..I recall you posting a lot about him mostly because of speed. I hope you have learned that blazing straight line speed doesn’t necessarily make great receiver in SEC