Underrated SEC Players to Watch in 2015 Spring Games
By now, you know about the stars in the SEC.
Georgia running back Nick Chubb, LSU running back Leonard Fournette, Alabama running back Derrick Henry and Auburn wide receiver D'haquille "Duke" Williams are just a few of the superstars who will be snapping up the chin strap this spring and making waves in spring games.
Who else will becomes stars of the spring?
The bright lights of a spring game provide a perfect chance for underrated or unknown players to announce to the world that they're not only talented, but ready for the spotlight.
Which underrated players will shine during spring games? Our picks based on position, talent and scheme are in this slideshow.
Georgia RB Brendan Douglas
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Yeah, Nick Chubb is awesome, Keith Marshall is healthy and Sony Michel is electric, but they aren't the only running backs in Athens.
Brendan Douglas is back after rushing for 230 yards and two touchdowns a year ago. The 5'11", 213-pound junior rushed for 65 yards and one touchdown as Chubb's primary backup against Missouri. That touchdown was quite impressive.
"UGA RB Brendan Douglas flips into the end zone https://t.co/OQEdjhwBCy
— Barrett Sallee (@BarrettSallee) October 11, 2014"
According to ClassicCityToday.com's Logan Booker, he's the surprise back in Georgia's rotation.
"Opposing linebackers may think they're in for a break when Chubb rests in 2015, but when you look at some runs Douglas has made late in games, namely against Florida and Missouri, you realize quickly that this kid should be a starter at many other schools," Booker told Bleacher Report. "He has been and will be the ultimate complement to a 'run the ball first' offense that Georgia has been and should be running with the stable of backs around him."
New offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer needs to know the talent on the roster, but for the most part, his running backs are already known commodities. Because of that, expect Douglas to get plenty of action during Georgia's spring game and make a push to earn offensive MVP honors.
Arkansas WR Keon Hatcher
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Yes, Keon Hatcher was Arkansas' leading receiver last year when he caught 43 passes for 558 yards and six touchdowns during his junior season.
No, you're still probably not talking about him enough.
The 6'2", 210-pounder from Owasso, Oklahoma, has the jets to be a deep threat and the size to be a dangerous possession receiver over the middle, which is a huge asset for head coach Bret Bielema and new offensive coordinator Dan Enos.
You'll see that during Arkansas' spring game.
There's no need for Bielema and Enos to show off running backs Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins. They're already superstars. But Enos produced 3,000-yard passers in four of his five seasons as Central Michigan's head coach, and if quarterback Brandon Allen can show off an even bigger connection to Hatcher, it will send shockwaves through the SEC.
The last thing opposing defensive coordinators want is Arkansas to be more balanced, because then those holes that Williams and Collins have been running through for two years will resemble the Grand Canyon rather than a small light at the end of a tunnel.
Tennessee DE Andrew Butcher
3 of 9Sometimes unknown players need to become stars out of necessity, and that might be the case for Tennessee true freshman and early enrollee Andrew Butcher.
The 6'2", 245-pounder from Alpharetta, Georgia, was one of 10 early enrollees who moved to Rocky Top in January, and he will join a defensive line group that's been bitten by the injury bug this spring. As B/R Tennessee Lead Writer Brad Shepard notes, 15 Vols will be out or limited this spring—including four defensive ends.
Butcher is quick off the ball, stout against the run and has the potential to become a star on a star-studded defensive line. This is a perfect chance for Butcher to come in, learn the system while getting valuable snaps and earn a spot in the defensive line rotation this fall.
The injuries this spring could become a blessing in disguise for the 2015 Vols, as they will allow some younger players—like Butcher—to build the depth that championship-level teams must have.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Missouri RB Russell Hansbrough
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One of the best running backs in the SEC plays his football in Columbia, Missouri, and nobody seems to talk about him.
Russell Hansbrough, the 5'9", 195-pound senior who led the Tigers with 1,084 yards and 10 touchdowns a year ago, splitting carries with home run hitter Marcus Murphy. With Murphy gone, it's Hansbrough's show, with Ish Witter and Trevor Walters trying to earn playing time behind him.
Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel's system is very fluid and changes based on personnel. With only 10 total receptions among returning wide receivers, it's likely that the offense will resemble the one from 2011, when the Tigers finished ninth in the nation in rushing offense (243.46 YPG).
Hansbrough will be the centerpiece of that effort as not only the veteran of the group, but as a true all-purpose back who can hit the home run as well as take the punishment between the tackles.
Auburn LB Justin Garrett
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Two years ago, Auburn "Star" Justin Garrett had the hybrid linebacker/safety position on lock in former defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson's 4-2-5 defense. But a foot injury opened the door for Robenson Therezie, who subsequently walked through, closed the door, locked it and threw away the key for two seasons.
Garrett's still around, though, and looking to make an impact as a linebacker for new coordinator Will Muschamp—who's in search of more contributors at the position alongside Kris Frost and Cassanova McKinzy. At 6'1", 224, Garrett has the quickness that Muschamp likes, and proved in limited action over the last two seasons that he's a hard hitter and one of the few Tigers who is fundamentally sound.
Will that translate to success this spring?
You bet it will.
He was the defensive MVP of the spring game two seasons ago, and don't be surprised if he repeats the feat as a senior in 2015.
Florida WR Brandon Powell
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Florida is in desperate need of a playmaker outside at wide receiver opposite of Demarcus Robinson, and new coach Jim McElwain is looking to his backfield for an answer.
Brandon Powell, formerly a running back/changeup back, has made the move to wide receiver and could be a perfect option as a slot receiver for the new staff. At 5'9", 177 pounds, he has the jets to be dangerous in space and the moves to make opposing defenders look silly.
According to Adam Silverstein of The Alligator, he's adjusting well to his new home so far this spring but will still see some time carrying the football in his new role.
"We’ll use him in jet sweeps; we’ll bring him back in the backfield and he can still run the ball as a running back," McElwain said. "That’s the versatility that you kind of look for at that position. He really looks comfortable out there. That’s something that’s good to see."
Florida's quarterback position is still an unknown, so having some versatility and creativity injected into the offense is an absolute must if the Gators intend to keep opposing defenses honest.
Alabama TE O.J. Howard
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It seems like Alabama tight end O.J. Howard shines more in the offseason than he does during it.
Aside from his 51-yard catch-and-run in the LSU game in 2013, the 6'6", 240-pounder with soft hands and deceptive speed has been more sizzle than steak during his first two seasons in Tuscaloosa.
That will change in 2015, when Howard—who has everything it takes to be a matchup nightmare—proves he's a star in the new-look Alabama offense. That starts this spring.
With nine new starters on offense and five quarterbacks battling for the top spot on the depth chart, Alabama has to establish a consistent, reliable safety valve in the passing game, and Howard is it. He's had his issues as a blocker over his first two seasons, but the focus of Alabama's spring game itself likely will be judging the quarterbacks on the big stage.
Because of that, Howard should get a ton of looks and exit spring as one of the stars for Alabama.
Ole Miss S C.J. Hampton
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With Cody Prewitt gone, it could be the "C.J. Hampton Show" at safety for Ole Miss in 2015.
The sophomore can handle the pressure.
The logjam in the secondary relegated Hampton to special teams for the majority of his freshman season, but now that the door is slightly open, expect him to walk through. As Hugh Kellenberger of the Jackson Clarion-Ledger pointed out in December, he's going to get plenty of chances to prove that he can become a star.
"C.J. Hampton mostly watched this season, but he'll be 'given the reins' at the safety when the spring rolls around. http://t.co/3kXE76QzVU
— Hugh Kellenberger (@HKellenbergerCL) December 23, 2014"
The 6'0", 192-pound sophomore from Meridian, Mississippi, was a 4-star prospect in the class of 2014, is solid in coverage and willing to stick his nose in and be a force in run support.
South Carolina RB David Williams
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Brandon Wilds will likely get the first shot to replace Mike Davis as the feature running back at South Carolina, but redshirt sophomore David Williams has the most upside of anybody on the roster.
The 6'1", 216-pounder from Philadelphia had 45 carries for 256 yards last year backing up Davis and Wilds and could emerge as a star in 2015. He has the size to be a force between the tackles, the moves to be dangerous in space and the speed to be a home run threat.
What's more, he's going to get plenty of looks this spring as 247Sports' John Whittle noted earlier this spring.
"Wilds, a fifth-year senior, doesn’t need a lot of action," Whittle wrote. "Williams needs as much as he can get as he looks to carve out a featured role in the offense this year. Look for him to take the bulk of the carries this spring as he looks to take his game to the next level."
South Carolina has a wide-open quarterback battle in which its most experienced contender—Connor Mitch—has six career passing attempts. A solid running game is a quarterback's best friend, and Williams should solidify the Gamecocks running game as deep and diverse this spring.
Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and college football video analyst for Bleacher Report as well as a host on Bleacher Report Radio on Sirius 93, XM 208.
Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All stats are courtesy of CFBStats.com unless otherwise noted, and all recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports' composite rankings. Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
