SEC Football: Backups Who Could Start in Another Conference
There arguably isn’t a deeper conference in college football than the SEC in terms of talent.
From the starters, right down to some of the third-string players, the conference is loaded with talent. Already, several backups—running back Nick Chubb, quarterbacks Treon Harris and Kyle Allen—have stepped in and brought success to their program.
It just makes one wonder how many potential stars are currently buried on the depth chart in the SEC?
Join B/R as we dig to find some names who would more than likely start on teams outside of the SEC.
CB Trovon Reed (Auburn)
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For three seasons, Trovon Reed lined up as a wide receiver for Auburn.
However, he found out that offense wasn’t his calling. With that, he switched to cornerback entering 2014.
In just his first three games at the position, Reed recorded two interceptions. That includes one in a key road victory over Kansas State early in the year.
“I wanted to play [cornerback] when I got here,” Reed said, per AuburnTigers.com’s Charles Goldberg. “I had gone to the prep All-American game as a corner.”
Although he has the talent, Reed plays behind Jonathan Jones on the depth chart. But it’s hard to argue that he couldn’t start at another university.
The senior has nine tackles on the year, while also breaking up four passes.
WR Edward Pope (Texas A&M)
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The Texas A&M passing attack is littered with talented receivers.
On the season, six different receivers have caught at least 20 passes for over 230 yards and five have found the end zone four times or more. But with only so many starting spots remaining, someone has to be on the outside looking in.
That player is sophomore Edward Pope, who has caught 29 passes for 443 yards and four scores. However, with players such as Josh Reynolds, Malcome Kennedy and Speedy Noil ahead of him on the depth chart, playing time is hard to come by.
Only four times this season has Pope caught three passes or more. It’s a shame, given that the Carthage, Texas native has flashed his talent, scoring on catches that went for 25 yards or more six times.
His breakout came in an overtime victory against Arkansas, in which Pope caught four passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns, including an 86-yard bomb in the fourth quarter.
This is a player that would do wonders with more reps.
QB Jeremy Johnson (Auburn)
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There was no chance anybody was going to supplant Nick Marshall at quarterback after the season he helped deliver Auburn in 2013.
However, in the Week 1 opener, sophomore Jeremy Johnson got the call with Marshall out for the first half. But instead of playing simply as a game manager, the sophomore made some big plays.
Johnson finished the half throwing for 243 yards and two touchdowns on 12-of-16 passing.
Given that Marshall is known more for his playmaking ability with his legs, Johnson proved to be a good complement as a backup. But it also left many wondering just how successful the Tigers would be with Johnson calling the shots.
The Montgomery, Alabama native hasn’t had much other opportunity to shine, only receiving 17 passing attempts since his Week 1 showing. But there are plenty of teams outside the SEC that would be willing to take a gamble on the former 4-star quarterback.
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DE Channing Ward (Ole Miss)
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Having one of its greatest defensive seasons in school history, it’s no surprise that Ole Miss has talent all across the depth chart.
One of those players is defensive end Channing Ward. Through 10 games, the junior has recorded 23 tackles (2.0 for loss), 1.5 sacks and forced three fumbles.
Buried on a depth that that is brimming with talent on the defensive line, it’s a shame we haven’t gotten an opportunity to see more of Ward. He is only third at the position behind Fadol Brown and Marquis Haynes. At 6'4" and 274 pounds, he sure has the build to be a dominant force in the trenches.
He’s easily the kind of end most teams would cherish.
RB Sony Michel (Georgia)
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If it weren’t for the recent news that standout running back Todd Gurley tore his ACL, per ESPN, one-time backup Nick Chubb would be the storyline.
However, the freshman has gained a vice grip on the starting job, after rushing for 1,039 yards and nine touchdowns on 152 carries. That includes a stretch of five consecutive games with at least 140 yards rushing.
But a forgotten name on the roster is fellow freshman Sony Michel.
A 5-star prospect out of American Heritage High, Michel was the back most expected to succeed. But although he has a backseat to Chubb, the Fort Lauderdale, Florida native has had a fine season himself, rushing for 307 yards and four touchdowns on 39 carries.
With great vision and tackle-breaking ability, Michel has been averaging a whopping 7.9 yards per pop. There are a handful of schools that would love to have a running back of his caliber on their depth chart.
QB Kenny Hill (Texas A&M)
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In recent weeks, true freshman Kyle Allen has jumped to the top of the depth charts at Texas A&M. Starting the last three games, the Scottsdale, Arizona product has thrown for 620 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions on 60.8 percent passing.
But let’s not forget the talent that backup Kenny Hill possesses.
Helping the Aggies race out to an unexpected 5-0 start, Hill tossed 17 touchdowns to two interceptions during that span. However, it all fell apart over a three-game slide, when he managed to toss just six touchdowns to six interceptions.
However, to his credit, those three opponents—Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Alabama—were all ranked inside the Top 10 at the time.
It’s important to note that Hill is just a sophomore. And although he might not be the right fit for the tough SEC schedule, the Southlake, Texas product could thrive in conferences such as the Big 10, ACC, Big 12 or Pac-12, where every other week doesn’t see you playing a potential national championship contender.
LB Reuben Foster (Alabama)
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Reuben’s biggest claim to fame thus far is the crushing hit he put on LSU running back Leonard Fournette on the final play in regulation of Alabama’s overtime victory a couple of weeks ago. However, the sophomore linebacker has much more to give.
Through nine games, Foster has registered 20 tackles (2.0 for loss) and 1.0 sack. He has also been a tremendous asset on special teams for the Crimson Tide.
A 5-star prospect, and No. 6-overall prospect in the Class of 2013, Foster has the instincts, quickness and striking ability that made him a wanted commodity. Currently, he finds himself second on the depth chart behind a trio of talented linebackers, but it won’t be long before Foster gets his chance to shine.
RB Derrick Henry (Alabama)
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Who could forget Derrick Henry’s coming out party during last season’s Sugar Bowl, where the then-freshman trucked for a combined 161 total yards from scrimmage and a pair of touchdowns on nine touches.
This season, Henry has once again proven to be a vital part of Alabama’s offense, rushing for 590 yards and five touchdowns on 122 carries. Although he supplanted Kenyan Drake for running back No. 2 duties, he’s still losing most touches to T.J. Yeldon, who is having another impressive campaign.
Only a sophomore, Henry still has a lot to learn and brings a lot of talent.
His opportunity in Tuscaloosa could come soon. But there’s no doubting he would feature right now for most other programs.
All stats, recruiting information and rankings used in this article are courtesy of CFBStats.com and 247Sports.
For complete coverage and everything college football, you can reach Sebastian on Twitter and via email at Sebastian.LenaBR@gmail.com.
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