The 42 Star Players Who'll Appear at SEC Media Days

The SEC media days kick off on July 17 and last until the 19th in Hoover, Ala.

While everyone is out to interview the head coaches and talk about the upcoming 2012 college football season, the players that come out are also a main attraction.

This season, there isn't a lot of star power that will be on hand, but that does not mean that there is a shortage of talent or experience.

During events like this, coaches like to invite their more mature players and leaders off the field to handle the media.

Still, during these next couple of days, the SEC will have many accomplished players on deck, many of which you should get really familiar with for the upcoming season.

Here is a rundown of every player that will partake during the SEC media days.

Barrett Jones, OL, Alabama

Barrett Jones is a versatile offensive lineman, who may be the best in all of college football. He won last year's Outland Trophy at left tackle and may very likely end up playing the center position in 2012.

Jones was a semifinalist for the Lombardi Award, is a first-team All-American and first-team All-SEC. Overall, he is one of the best players in the entire conference at any position.

Damion Square, DL, Alabama

2011 stats: 32 tackles, seven tackles for loss and one sack.

Square started all 13 games at defensive end for the Crimson Tide his junior year. It was the most playing time he received in his career, and got better as the season went on.

With a year under his belt, expect the senior to take that next step and become an even more productive player for that Alabama defense.

Michael Williams, TE, Alabama

2011 stats: 16 receptions, 191 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Michael Williams has started the last two seasons for the Tide at the tight end position. While his numbers may not exactly be off the charts, Williams is an exceptional blocker and plays a key role on special teams as well.

Knile Davis, RB, Arkansas

2011 stats: N/A.

Knile Davis missed the entire 2011 season with an ankle injury, but he is easily one of the top backs in the country when healthy. He finished the 2010 season with over 1,300 rushing yards and 14 total touchdowns.

Now that the Razorbacks will actually have a steady running game, it would be foolish to count Arkansas out of the SEC title hunt.

Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas

2011 stats: 63 percent completion percentage, 3,638 passing yards and 24 touchdowns.

In his first year as a starter, Tyler Wilson really emerged as one of the better quarterbacks in the country. There were a total of eight games where he threw for at least 250 yards, including the game against Texas A&M when he threw for over 500.

He is fourth all-time in Razorback history in touchdown passes and became the first Arkansas quarterback to be named first-team All-SEC.

Tenarius Wright, DE, Arkansas

2011 stats: 25 tackles, five tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

Tenarius Wright is an experienced player for Arkansas, who has played in 34 games throughout his career. He was a productive player before missing the final five games of the season due to injury.

He is a versatile player who may end up playing the linebacker position in 2012.

Emory Blake, WR, Auburn

2011 stats: 36 receptions, 613 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

With the wide receiver position really thin for the Auburn Tigers, Emory Blake is expected to take his game to new heights in 2012.

He is currently fifth all-time in school history with four 100-yard receiving games and holds the school record for the longest play from scrimmage, which was a 94-yard touchdown in 2010.

Corey Lemonier, DE, Auburn

2011 stats: 47 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks.

The numbers tell a lot in Corey Lemonier's case. He was the only Tiger to finish the year with more than three sacks last season and led the team tackles for loss.

He is without question one of the best defensive ends in the country and should build on last year, when he was a first-team All-SEC player.

Philip Lutzenkirchen, TE, Auburn

2011 stats: 24 receptions, 238 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

Philip Lutzenkirchen holds the all-time Auburn record with 14 career touchdowns at the tight end position.

This guy is the ultimate red-zone target and should have his best year yet with Auburn switching to a pro-style offense. He was a second-team All-SEC choice last season.

Jonathan Bostic, LB, Florida

2011 stats: 94 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and three sacks.

Jonathan Bostic is the most experienced player on the defensive side of the ball for Florida. He has started a total of 19 games and played in 38 throughout his career.

He led the team in tackles last season and is a preseason All-SEC member.

Mike Gillislee, RB, Florida

2011 stats: 53 rushing attempts, 328 yards and two touchdowns.

Florida is looking for playmakers on the offensive side of the ball and senior running back Mike Gillislee may be just that.

He hasn't had many opportunities throughout his career, but he is a speedster who can really help this offense that struggled to score points last year. 

Lerentee McCray, DE, Florida

2011 stats: 24 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

Lerentee McCray should get the most playing time he has ever had at Florida. He has only started a total of five games, but has appeared in 30.

Despite missing a few games due to injury last year, McCray still led the team with four quarterback hurries and was fifth on the team with 7.5 tackles for loss.

Abry Jones, DE, Georgia

2011 stats: 48 tackles, seven tackles for loss and four sacks.

Abry Jones started every game for the Bulldogs last season and was a very effective player.

He gets relentless pressure on the opposing quarterbacks and should take that next step in his career with a year under his belt.

Was certainly one of the most improved players on this entire Georgia roster last season.

Jarvis Jones, LB, Georgia

2011 stats: 70 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks and 26 quarterback hurries.

Jarvis Jones is a former USC transfer, who did not waste any time tearing things up in the SEC. His numbers are through the roof and he quickly became one of those players that will keep any offensive coordinator up at night.

Jones was a finalist for the Butkus Award and a first-team All-American. He is also a candidate for every major defensive award in 2012.

Tavarres King, WR, Georgia

2011 stats: 47 receptions, 705 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

Tavarres King took a step in the right direction in 2011 and will be expected to have an even bigger season this time around.

He is a big target at 6'1" and has the potential to become one of the better receivers in the conference. He is considered one of the top 150 SEC players by Bleacher Report.

Matt Smith, C, Kentucky

Matt Smith came to Kentucky as a defensive tackle before switching to the center position. He has started 22 games throughout his career and is one of the most consistent players on this Kentucky team.

Smith is also on the Rimington Trophy watch list, an award that is presented to the nation's top center.

Collins Ukwu, DE, Kentucky

2011 stats: 28 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.

Collins Ukwu missed a few games due to injury, but was still a productive player for a defense that struggled throughout the year.

As he enters his senior season, Ukwu will expected to play a leadership role and help a defense that only generated 20 sacks last season improve.

Larry Warford, G, Kentucky

Larry Warford may not be a household name because he plays for Kentucky, but the kid can play. At 6'3", 320-plus pounds, Warford is a massive player who doesn't let much get by him.

He is a two-time second-team All-SEC member and is a candidate for this year's Outland Trophy.

Odell Beckham, WR, LSU

2011 stats: 41 receptions, 475 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Odell Beckham is a playmaker who should have a fabulous season in his sophomore year. He earned SEC All-Freshman honors last season and averaged over 11 yards a reception.

Despite being such a young player, Beckham started nine games last year and finished second on the team in receiving yards and receptions. 

Zach Mettenberger, QB, LSU

2011 stats: 92 passing yards and one touchdown.

We haven't seen much from Zach Mettenberger, but he will be the starting quarterback for the LSU Tigers this year. If he is as good as advertised, this offense will be in great hands.

Mettenberger has the size at 6'5", 222 pounds, the accuracy and the arm strength to make all of the throws.

I wouldn't like to jinx anything, but it appears that LSU may actually have a true quarterback this season.

Eric Reid, S, LSU

2011 stats: 76 tackles, two interceptions and three passes broken up.

While Tyrann Mathieu may get most of the credit in the Tigers defensive backfield, Eric Reid is not too shabby himself.

He was tied with the Honey Badger in tackles and earned second-team All-SEC honors, as well as being a second-team All-American.

Reid is a leader on and off the field and is known as one of the hardest-hitting safeties in the country.

Mike Marry, LB, Ole Miss

2011 stats: 81 tackles, five tackles for loss and two sacks.

Mike Murray is the returning linebacker who led this team in tackles last season. He is an All-America honorable mention and All-SEC third team in 2011.

The Rebels lacked a lot of star power on the defensive side of the ball, but Marry has the opportunity to really distance himself this season.

He is considered a top 150 player in the SEC by Bleacher Report.

Donte Moncrief, WR, Ole Miss

2011 stats: 31 receptions, 454 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

Donte Moncrief was only a freshman last season and already emerged as the best offensive weapon this Ole Miss team has to offer.

He is a big target at 6'2" and will have plenty of chances to build on a successful freshman season in the new spread offense that the Rebels will run in 2012.

Charles Sawyer, CB, Ole Miss

2011 stats: 70 tackles, four interceptions, three tackles for loss and nine broken up passes.

Charles Sawyer does a little bit of everything for this Ole Miss defense. He finished second on the team in tackles and led the team in interceptions.

He is capable of playing either the cornerback or safety position and was an All-America honorable mention last season. Sawyer is also named one of the top players in the SEC by Bleacher Report.

Johnthan Banks, DB, Mississippi State

2011 stats: 71 tackles, eight tackles for loss, three sacks, five interceptions and nine broken-up passes.

Johnthan Banks is one of the better defensive backs in the country. He has the size at 6'2", 185 pounds to blanket receivers and is also one of the smarter defenders you will find.

The Bulldogs may not receive much attention in the SEC, but Banks is the real deal heading into 2012.

Gabe Jackson, OL, Mississippi State

Gabe Jackson has started a total of 26 games at Mississippi State. He made the All-SEC second-team last season and led the Bulldogs offense in take downs with 69.

He is a member of the Outland Trophy watch list and a dominant offensive lineman at 6'4", 320 pounds.

Tyler Russell, QB, Mississippi State

2011 stats: 1,034 passing yards and eight touchdowns.

Tyler Russell only started four games last season because Chris Relf was the guy in charge. Now, in 2012, Russell is the man and should help keep this Mississippi State team competitive.

At 6'4", 220 pounds, he has the size and a cannon for an arm to really make a name for himself his junior year. Russell is considered the No. 103rd player in the SEC by Bleacher Report.

Elvis Fisher, OT, Missouri

Elvis Fisher missed the entire 2011 season due to a knee injury. He is expected back on the field by the time the season begins and will once again be a big part of Missouri's success.

Fisher has started a total of 40 games at left tackle and is a leader on and off the field for the Tigers. Heading into the SEC, he will have to continue to do a good job of protecting the quarterback's blindside.

E.J. Gaines, DB, Missouri

2011 stats: 69 tackles, three interceptions, three tackles for loss and 16 passes broken up.

E.J. Gaines earned the starting position last fall and never looked back. He set a school record with his passes defended and earned first-team All-Big 12.

He is the definition of a shutdown corner and is a playmaker with the ball in his hands. He will also likely play a huge factor on special teams in 2012 as well.

T.J. Moe, WR, Missouri

2011 stats: 54 receptions, 649 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

T.J. Moe did not live up to expectations of his 2010 season, but he was still highly productive. He was a Big 12 honorable mention last season and is about as sure handed of a receiver you are going to get.

Moe knows what to do when he gets the football in his hands and is somebody that SEC defenses will have to keep an eye on. He was named the No. 66 player in the conference by Bleacher Report.

Ace Sanders, WR, South Carolina

2011 stats: 29 receptions, 383 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Ace Sanders only caught 29 passes last season, but seven of those receptions went for 20 yards or more. At 5'7", Sanders has a lot of speed and can really help stretch the field for this Gamecocks offense.

He is also playing a key role in special teams for South Carolina and will look to have an even more productive season with the wide-receiver position being a question mark with this team.

Connor Shaw, QB, South Carolina

2011 stats: 65 percent completion percentage, 1,448 passing yards, 525 rushing yards and 22 total touchdowns.

Connor Shaw had to step in during the middle of the season when previous starter Stephen Garcia had a complete meltdown. For what he had to work with, and the amount of weapons he had on offense, he did a very solid job.

Now, with Marcus Lattimore back at running back and a year of preparation, Shaw should look to take that step as one of the better quarterbacks in this conference.

D.J. Swearinger, S, South Carolina

2011 stats: 80 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and three interceptions.

D.J. Swearinger is an experienced player in the defensive backfield, who has played in every game since he stepped on campus. He finished second on the team in tackles and is one of those safeties that is a factor in both the run and pass.

With the Gamecocks returning one of the top defenses in the country, Swearinger will once again be a key factor in the team's success. He is considered the No. 75 player in the conference by Bleacher Report.

Tyler Bray, QB, Tennessee

2011 stats: 1,983 passing yards and 17 touchdowns.

Tyler Bray has everything you look for in a starting quarterback. He has great size at 6'6", a strong arm and is capable of making all the throws on the football field.

As he enters his third year at Tennessee, this should be the year where he arrives to the party. With the talent at wide receiver, the Volunteers will likely be this year's surprise team and it all starts with Bray at quarterback.

Ja'Wuan James, OL, Tennessee

Ja'Wuan James has started all 25 games of his young Volunteers career at right tackle. He was a key part in Tennessee's offensive line success last season that only allowed 18 sacks.

While Tennessee may have trouble running the football, they do have one of the best offensive linemen in the conference, and he is considered the 93rd best player in the SEC by Bleacher Report.

Herman Lathers, LB, Tennessee

2011 stats: N/A

Herman Lathers missed all of last season due to an ankle injury, but he will be ready to go in 2012. In 2010, Lathers finished second on the team in tackles with 75 and also added 2.5 sacks.

He is one of the main leaders on this football team, who was academic All-SEC in 2010. With his presence on the football field, Tennessee should fare better on defense this season.

Luke Joeckel, OL, Texas A&M

Luke Joeckel is without question the best offensive lineman the Aggies have heading into the 2012 season.

At 6'6", 310 pounds, he is somebody that is ready to compete right away against some of the nation's top pass rushers.

He is quick off the ball, has great body control and should be a high pick in next year's NFL draft.

Sean Porter, LB, Texas A&M

2011 stats: 79 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks.

Sean Porter had another terrific season for the Aggies, finishing third on the team in tackles and tied for third in the Big 12 in tackles for loss.

He is a linebacker who has a nose for the football and is capable of making plays from sideline to sideline.

Porter is a member of the 2012 Bronko Nagurski Watch List, an award that is handed out to the best defensive player in the country.

Ryan Swope, WR, Texas A&M

2011 stats: 89 receptions, 1,207 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.

The wide-receiver position really lacks proven players for the Aggies, which is why Ryan Swope will once again be the key to offensive success.

He has caught 180 passes throughout his three-year career at Texas A&M and has over 2,200 receiving yards. It will be interesting to see how he matches up against much better defenses in 2012.

Jordan Rodgers, QB, Vanderbilt

2011 stats: 1,524 passing yards, 420 rushing yards and 13 total touchdowns.

Jordan Rodgers should add some excitement to this Vanderbilt offense. He was the backup behind quarterback Larry Smith last season and only started seven games.

This season, the starting job is his, and he should do well.

Rodgers is a dual-threat quarterback who played his best game against a talented defense in the Florida Gators, nearly pulling off the upset. This is a player to keep an eye on in 2012.

Zac Stacy, RB, Vanderbilt

2011 stats: 1,193 rushing yards, 106 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns.

Stacy had a career year last season, setting school records in single-season rushing yards and touchdowns. Those feats were good enough to land him second team All-SEC honors.

At 5'9", Stacy is a special running back, who should help improve an average Vanderbilt offense from a season ago, especially with Rodgers at quarterback.

Trey Wilson, DB, Vanderbilt

2011 stats: 30 tackles, eight passes broken up and three interceptions.

Trey Wilson had his best season his junior year. He showed flashes of brilliance throughout the entire season along with playmaking skills, returning two of his three interceptions back for touchdowns.

With 14 career starts under his belt, Wilson will continue to improve as he enters his senior year.