7 SEC Players Who Will Explode in Bowl Games
One of the most important times of the year for college football teams is the time between the end of the season and the bowl game.
Earning those 15 bowl practices allows programs another camp-like practice session similar to spring practice while preparing for an opponent that is typically comparable in terms of overall ranking.
That gives unknown players the chance to shine and earn playing time on a big stage, establishing momentum going into the offseason. For veterans, it's a chance to shine on a big stage and set the tone for next season or, for some, the NFL draft process.
Which SEC players will explode during bowl games this season? Our top seven are in this slideshow.
South Carolina WR Pharoh Cooper
1 of 7
South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier has used wide receiver Pharoh Cooper in a variety of ways this year.
The sophomore sensation has 966 yards and eight touchdowns this season as a receiver, rushed for 198 yards and two touchdowns as the Wildcat quarterback, completed 5 of 8 passes for two touchdowns and returned 14 punts.
Now the Head Ball Coach has nearly a month to get even more creative with Cooper in preparation for the Gamecocks' Duck Commander Independence Bowl showdown with Miami on Dec. 27. That's plenty of time to draw up some fun "ball plays" for Cooper, who has already proved that he can do just about anything in the Gamecocks offense.
Prediction: It will be Spurrier's goal to get Cooper receiving, rushing and passing touchdowns in the bowl game.
Arkansas LB Martrell Spaight
2 of 7
Arkansas' defense became the talk of the SEC town in November, as it pitched back-to-back shutouts against LSU and Ole Miss—the Razorbacks' first two SEC wins since Barack Obama and Mitt Romney were running for President of the United States.
Linebacker Martrell Spaight was one of the biggest reasons why.
Spaight finished the season with the most tackles in the SEC (123), had 8.5 tackles for loss and picked off a pass in a banner year for the senior.
Now he gets to go up against a Texas team that, while talented, is a run-first unit that allows plenty of opportunities for Spaight to clean up.
Expect double-digit tackles from Spaight against the Longhorns and for the senior to close out his career on a high note.
Alabama WR DeAndrew White
3 of 7
Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper justifiably draws all the publicity in Alabama's wide receiving corps, but it was DeAndrew White who was the big-play threat vs. Missouri in the SEC Championship Game.
White caught four passes for 101 yards and one touchdown in the 42-13 win over Missouri, helping the Crimson Tide earn their 24th SEC title.
The bowl break will be the best thing for Alabama's offense.
First-year offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin and first-year starting quarterback Blake Sims used Cooper as the go-to guy early in the season, and that plan didn't need to change all that much. Now Kiffin and Sims get the chance to take the offense to the next level, and White will be the beneficiary.
Ohio State's attention will be placed squarely on Cooper, which should leave White in some favorable matchups that Sims can and will exploit.
Another 100-yard receiving day in the Sugar Bowl semifinal? That will happen.
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Missouri LB Kentrell Brothers
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Missouri junior linebacker Kentrell Brothers finished the season with 117 tackles, and he'll have the chance for plenty more in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl against Minnesota.
The Golden Gophers are a run-first team led by running back David Cobb, who notched 294 carries for 1,548 yards and 13 touchdowns in the surprising season for head coach Jerry Kill's crew.
That means plenty of opportunities for Brothers to get Cobb down to the ground. If he does that consistently, it also means more chances to get after the quarterback in passing downs.
Brothers will have a huge statistical day against Minnesota, be around the ball more times than not and pace the Missouri defense to another big win—which has become a trend over the last few years for head coach Gary Pinkel's crew.
Auburn RB Roc Thomas
5 of 7
Auburn freshman running back Roc Thomas has received a taste of life in the SEC, but now it's time for him to have a full meal.
The primary No. 2 running back behind Cameron Artis-Payne, Thomas has 43 carries for 214 yards and two touchdowns this season and got No. 1 work in specific drives in important games at times during the second half of the season.
He's going to get more than just mop-up work and spot work with the starters in the Outback Bowl vs. Wisconsin.
Will he have a better day than Artis-Payne? No. But Thomas is going to be counted on to be a contributor in 2015, so expect head coach Gus Malzahn and offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee to mix in some work with the "ones" for Thomas in addition to his work as a kickoff returner.
He'll have more than 100 total yards and a touchdown against the Badgers.
Tennessee DL Derek Barnett
6 of 7
One of the most pleasant surprises on Rocky Top this year has been true freshman defensive end Derek Barnett, who finished the season with 69 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. While Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett broke and set the freshman sack record, Barnett also broke the record formerly held by South Carolina legend Jadeveon Clowney (eight).
What's his reward? A bowl game matchup against the Iowa offensive line and a potential matchup against star tackle Brandon Scherff.
It will be a fun matchup to watch, and whether Barnett does line up only on Scherff's side or moves around a bit, he will make his presence felt in the TaxSlayer Bowl against the Hawkeyes.
Expect a couple more sacks to be added to what has already been a tremendous freshman season.
Arkansas QB Brandon Allen
7 of 7
The last time we saw Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen, he was throwing too much in an ill-fated comeback attempt at Missouri on the day after Thanksgiving while clearly fighting through numerous injuries.
That drive, while unsuccessful, showed just what kind of competitor Allen is.
He threw for 2,125 yards, 18 touchdowns and only five interceptions for the Razorbacks this season, managing games, for the most part, the way head coach Bret Bielema wants them to be managed.
Now he gets the chance to cap off his junior season with a game against Texas, which boasts the Big 12's best pass defense (186.3 yards per game). Allen will have some success.
Texas will load up to stop the run, dare Allen to beat them, and he will—with the help of receivers like Demetrius Wilson, Keon Hatcher and tight end Hunter Henry.
Will he have a game that lights up the stat sheet? No. I'm not sure any Arkansas quarterback ever will. But there will be no doubt who the better quarterback is on the field at the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl.
Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and video analyst for Bleacher Report as well as a co-host of the CFB Hangover on Bleacher Report Radio (Sundays, 9-11 a.m. ET) on Sirius 93, XM 208.
Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All stats are courtesy of cfbstats.com, and all recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports. Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.
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