SEC Football Position Rankings: Offense

The Sporting News recently put out a list of the SEC’s top five players at each position.  What follows is my version.  

QUARTERBACK

1.  Tim Tebow, Florida
2.  Matt Stafford, Georgia
3.  Tie with the rest of the league

Notes:  This is an unusual year for quarterbacks in the SEC, as there are very few proven commodities. 

Could John Parker Wilson make this list?  Sure, but would you want him as your quarterback? 

With so many new faces, there is no telling who will have a breakout year and who will struggle.

RUNNING BACK

1.  Knowshon Moreno, Georgia
2.  Arian Foster, Tennessee
3.  Richard Murphy/Keiland Williams/Charles Scott/Trindon Holliday, LSU
4.  Brad Lester/Mario Fannin/Ben Tate, Auburn
5.  Terry Grant, Alabama

Notes:  Moreno should push for the Heisman; Foster will continue to run well and never get the due credit. 

LSU should get plenty of big plays from its backs; Auburn has a stable of proven and quality runners, and Grant can fly past you or run you over. 

Anthony Dixon from Miss. State is right up there with this list, but he is a bruiser, not a game-changer. 

Meanwhile, many pundits assume that Emmanuel Moody is the answer at Florida, but Urban Meyer is not happy with his fumbling problems.

WIDE RECEIVER

1.  Percy Harvin, Florida
2.  Gerald Jones, Tennessee
3.  Kenny McKinley, South Carolina
4.  Brandon LaFell, LSU
5.  Dicky Lyons, Kentucky

Notes:  A lot of people love fellow Vol WR Lucas Taylor, but I think Gerald Jones has game-breaking ability that Taylor doesn’t. 

Meanwhile, LSU is loaded at its skill positions.  Demetrius Byrd will get a lot of attention, Terrance Tolliver will stretch the defense, and LaFell will benefit greatly.

Lyons might seem like a stretch, but I think he is one of the most underrated SEC players.  Just because Woodson is gone doesn’t mean he won’t get his fair share of balls.

TIGHT END

1.  Cornelius Ingram, Florida
2.  Jared Cook, South Carolina
3.  Tripp Chandler, Georgia
4.  Andrew Davie, Arkansas
5.  Aaron Hernandez, Florida

OFFENSIVE LINE
 
1st team

1.  Andre Smith, Alabama
2.  Herman Johnson, LSU
3.  Anthony Johnson, Tennesse
4.  Michael Oher, Ole Miss
5.  Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas

2nd team

1.  Garry Williams, Kentucky
2.  Phil Trautwein, Florida
3.  Tyronne Green, Auburn
4.  Trinton Sturdivant, Georgia
5.  Antoine Caldwell, Alabama

Notes:  As usual, several conference games will be won up front.  Defenses are loaded, and these guys will be counted on to save their quarterbacks’ lives.

KICKER

1.  Daniel Lincoln, Tennessee
1.  Ryan Succop, South Carolina
1.  Wes Byrum, Auburn
* The rest of the league is tied for last place. 

Notes:  This is the worst year in some time for SEC kickers.  None of these guys has proven to be a big-time college kicker.

KICK/PUNT RETURN MAN

1.  Brandon James, Florida
2.  Javier Arenas, Alabama
3.  Captain Munnerlyn, South Carolina
4.  Trindon Holliday, LSU
5.  Derrick Pegues, Miss. State

Notes:  There are so many talented return men in the SEC that we should see plenty of TDs off kickoffs and punts. 

For the defensive breakdown, click here.