The start of the SEC football season is just days, and several players enter the year with very high expectations. These players are expected dictate the way the conference plays out in 2017, and most figure to be top NFL draft prospects for next year. Here are the top 15 players in the SEC this season:
15) Antonio Callaway, WR, Florida Gators
Callaway has performed well in his two years with the Gators despite having lackluster quarterback play, catching 54 passes for 721 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games last season. He has game-breaking speed and quickness that also makes him a dangerous return man, returning two punts and one kickoff for a touchdown in his career. If Florida gets good QB play, Callaway could turn into one of the most dangerous weapons in the country.
14) Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama Crimson Tide
Payne has anchored Alabama's defensive line for the last two seasons and at 6-foot-2 and 320 pounds, consistently eats up blocks to allow the linebackers to make plays. He's a supreme athlete that has the talent to be the best interior defensive lineman in the nation. Payne registered 36 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks as a sophomore last year.
13) Martinas Rankin, OT, Mississippi State Bulldogs
Rankin is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2018 draft because of his strength an athleticism. It took him a while to adjust to the speed of the game last season after redshirting in 2015, but improved greatly as the season wore on. He'll be a huge factor for the Bulldogs.
12) Jarrett Stidham, Auburn Tigers
The Baylor transfer is set to take over as Auburn's starting quarterback, and he should immediately be one of the best quarterbacks in the conference. The Tigers have lacked a good signal caller since Nick Marshall left, and Stidham will make them a contender in the SEC. Though he's not an elusive runner, he did pass for 1,265 yards with 12 touchdowns and two interceptions in 10 appearances, including three starts, in 2015.
11) Da'Shawn Hand, DT, Alabama Crimson Tide
Hand was the No. 5 overall recruit three years ago, but has played sparingly at Alabama being stuck behind several future NFL players (which tends to be the case in Tuscaloosa). Now that players like Jonathan Allen and Dalvin Tomlinson are gone, it's time for Hand to shine. He recorded 21 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack last year, but this season, he's being relied on as the leader of the unit. Don't be surprised if Hand's play makes him one of the best defensive lineman in the country.
10) Kamryn Pettway, RB, Auburn Tigers
Pettway struggled with injuries last season, but was Auburn's best offensive player and consistently produced despite opposing defenses stacking the box (because the Tigers had zero threat of a passing game). He averaged 138.7 yards per game and ran for seven touchdowns in seven conference games last year. With Stidham now under center for Auburn, Pettway will have some help - and he should flourish.
9) Bo Scarbrough, RB, Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama may have very well won the national championship if Scarbrough didn't break his leg, and his late-season surge has him in position to be the leader of a dynamic four-man running back rotation for the Tide. A powerful runner at 6-foot-2 and 230 lbs., he is great in short-yardage situations - but also broke some very long runs this season.
8) Frank Ragnow, OL, Arkansas Razorbacks
The best returning offensive lineman in the conference, Ragnow didn't allow a single sack last year. In fact, he only allowed 12 quarterback pressures all season long - an average of less than one per game. He may be the best lineman in the country in 2017.
7) Jalen Hurts, QB, Alabama Crimson Tide
Assuming he takes another step in his development (which is expected), Hurts could become one of the elite quarterbacks in the country. Hurts is a talented dual-threat, although he does need some work on his passing. But his numbers as a true freshman, 65.3 completion percentage, 2,592 yards, 22 touchdowns and nine interceptions with 841 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground, are mighty impressive. Don't be surprised if he's in the discussion for the Heisman at the end of the year.
6) Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M Aggies
Kirk wasn't quite as good as he was in 2015 (83 catches for 928 yards and nine touchdowns this year vs. 80 for 1,009 and seven last year), but he was still a big play waiting to happen. Kirk is a dynamic return man too, with three punt return TDs. If Texas A&M gets steady QB play, Kirk will have another big year.
5) Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama Crimson Tide
Don't let the regression in stats fool you (Ridley had 72 receptions for 769 yards and seven touchdowns this year after posting 89 for 1,045 yards and seven touchdowns last year), Ridley is one of the best wideouts in all of college football. Alabama's offensive scheme meant a lesser role for Ridley, but there is no doubting his talent. If Jalen Hurts can take a step forward as a passer, that should help boost Ridley's numbers.
4) Derrius Guice, RB, LSU Tigers
Guice has been in Leonard Fournette's shadow over the past two years, and he is ready to claim the spotlight. Despite splitting carries and only starting when Fournette was hurt, Guice racked up 1,387 yards and 15 touchdowns this year. He had two games in which he had over 250 rushing yards and six games with at least 138 yards. Guice looks ready to thrive as LSU's full-time starter and is a preseason first-team All-American.
3) Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia Bulldogs
Before a knee injury ended his season in 2015, Chubb was a Heisman frontrunner. He returned last season and played well, racking up 1,130 yards and 10 touchdowns on 224 carries, but he was still feeling the lingering effects of that repaired ACL early in the season. Now that his knee is not an issue for him, Chubb will be in the race for several national awards again.
2) Arden Key, DE, LSU Tigers
Key is an athletic freak and was the most productive pass rusher in the SEC last season - yes, more than Texas A&M's Myles Garrett and Tennessee's Derek Barnett. He had 12 sacks in 11 games, and with another offseason to bulk up and add more pass rushing moves (he came to LSU simply as a speed rusher), he should be even more productive in 2017.
1) Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama Crimson Tide
You really could flip Key and Fitzpatrick, but I'm giving the nod to one of the most versatile players in the country. He played both cornerback and safety last season, recording six interceptions - two of which he returned for touchdowns. Fitzpatrick is also great against the run, accounting for 5.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks last year. He's a ball hawk who can do it all.
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