[h=1]10 things we want to see in the SEC this spring[/h]
Brad Crawford
March 8, 2015 @ 8:45pm
A former print media journalist from the Carolinas, Brad joined our team in 2011 and has a soft spot for free safeties after once leveling a wide receiver in junior high.
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Anyone having live SEC football withdrawals?
Four teams have already started spring practice and two more — Mizzou and Auburn — take the field early next week. Here are 10 items on the agenda we’re keeping an eye on this month as teams begin hitting again:
10. Signs of a breakout season from Alabama TE O.J. Howard: At times last fall, Howard ceased to exist in Lane Kiffin’s offense, a result of fewer targets and his blocking ability coming into question. The guy’s a former five-star recruit whose national moment came against LSU with a 52-yard touchdown reception after he out-ran the Tigers secondary. Remember? It seemed like ages ago and we want the old Howard back. The 6-foot-6 athletic target is capable of double-digit touchdowns with enough focus within the offense.
9. Georgia’s linebackers: This group, at least heading into spring ball, is the most dynamic in the SEC with extreme athleticism (Leonard Floyd and Lorenzo Carter) and veteran leadership (Jordan Jenkins). Jeremy Pruitt will spend much of spring practice moving these three around in Georgia’s 3-4 look, making sure all three are on the field at the same time. Don’t be surprised to see the Bulldogs leading the SEC in sacks this season (though Tennessee’s awfully talented in the front seven).
8. Stars staying injury-free: With a College Football Playoff berth to compete for, the SEC doesn’t need returning starters and potential Heisman frontrunners going full speed too often this month, nearly half a year before the games really begin. Any staff would be foolish to overwork players like Leonard Fournette and Nick Chubb, two key cogs for their respective division title-caliber teams.
7. New defensive coordinators: They’re everywhere in the SEC, notably at Auburn and Texas A&M where both teams took the necessary steps in strengthening chances at a run to Atlanta in 2015. Will Muschamp landed on his feet at an old stomping ground on the Plains while the Aggies, ranked last in the league in total defense the last two seasons, lured John Chavis away from LSU. This will be an interesting storyline to following throughout spring.
6. A well-placed wisecrack from Steve Spurrier: The Head Ball Coach has been relatively quiet this offseason, besides a comment tied to his future that damaged South Carolina’s 2015 class. With most media members (including SDS) projecting the Gamecocks to finish fourth — or even fifth — in the Eastern Division, verbal missiles may be few and far between. We hope not. Spurrier is one of college football’s few coaches that makes what goes on surrounding the game fun.
5. Mizzou’s new-look defense without Markus Golden and Shane Ray: First-year DC Barry Odom doesn’t think the Tigers will have much of a drop-off despite losing two of the league’s top pass rushers off last season’s 11-win squad. Since joining the SEC, Mizzou has pumped out players off the edge, one of the leading reasons the Tigers have made consecutive trips to Atlanta. Kentrell Brothers and Harold Brantley are next season’s budding stars and should make plenty of plays this spring. The Tigers open practice Monday.
4. Early-look at expectations for the Magnolia State: Blessed with arguably the SEC’s two best players on each side of the football, Mississippi State and Ole Miss will try and reacquire the national spotlight on the heels of memorable 2014 campaigns. Dak Prescott is the league’s Heisman favorite while Robert Nkemdiche anchors a Rebels defense that should be able to absorb the loss of All-American defensive backs Cody Prewitt and Senquez Golson. The quarterback spot’s an issue at Ole Miss without Bo Wallace and the Bulldogs are thin within the front seven in Starkville.
3. Bret Bielema’s progress at Arkansas: Can the Razorbacks continue the momentum established at the end of last season? The return of dual 1,000-yard rushers Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins gives Arkansas arguably the SEC’s best 1-2 punch in the running game and Brandon Allen is a two-year starter under center. The biggest question this spring will be on defense where Robb Smith is tasked with finding replacements up front for Trey Flowers and Darius Philon.
2. Quarterback battles: The competition should be fierce at Florida and South Carolina, two teams expecting a revamp offensively this season for varying reasons. The Gators have a new coach in Jim McElwain while the Gamecocks are heading into summer without a starting quarterback for the first time in several years. Treon Harris vs. Will Grier will be the most intriguing competition of the spring. Redshirt sophomore Connor Mitch has the early edge in Columbia, S.C.
1. Instant-impact early enrollees: There’s a few who should really turn heads this month and most happen to play in the West. Five-star corner Kevin Toliver unofficially began his LSU career on Saturday, earning mention from coach Les Miles in his post-practice presser. JUCO transfers Jovon Robinson and Tony Bridges at Auburn and Ole Miss respectively appear SEC-ready. The best of the bunch could be South Carolina’s Marquavius Lewis however, a pass-rusher who should provide the Gamecocks with stability at a position of need.
